What Makes a Star in Rap? | Everyday Struggle

On today's #EverydayStruggle episode, Joe Budden and DJ Akademiks debated what makes a star in rap today and if certain artists like Young Thug and Bryson Tiller fall into the star category.
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@justinwil4365]

The way Akademics says Nadeska's name, he seems like a 62 year old man thats been married to her for 35 years and still proud of the way she cooks mac n cheese.

[@justinwil4365]

He remembers the first time she gave it up after the Isley Brother's 1981summer tour.

[@FidoeFTW]

Justin Wil wtfffffffff 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sergiootaegui]

all time W

[@tsunamipapi1343]

@@justinwil4365 😂😂

[@cameronmiller69]

if AK wants Nedeska he's going to have to spend these complex checks on a personal stylest.

[@mackinshizzaveli4202]

cameron miller personal trainer they get free clothes she still has to see him nude

[@aznunbeatable]

think its kinda cute how Ak and Nedeska teamed up on Joe in the beginning. Nedeska "I'm here to hold you down Ak" and that little gigle she did after Joe joked "I don't want to put anything in your mouth" to Ak. I see this chemistry unfolding before my eyes. Nedeska is cueing the nigga Ak lowwwwwww key.

[@thephilosopher7173]

and he's gonna have to let her talk..lmao...as soon as she talks he talks as if he doesn't hear her....legend has it girls like dominance like that (?)

[@deshaun1280]

cornball lol, everything feels better naked

[@narutodudeism]

Hip-Hop Castle 😂😂

[@CloudTribe]

Joe is right, to be a star you have to be an icon beyond your immediate genre. Tupac, Biggie, Jay-z, Eminem, Outkast, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Drake, J.cole, Kendrick, The weeknd, beyonce, frank ocean etc. You just know who they are and whenever they move it makes headlines. They can drop an album without notice and no matter how competitive the year and still do #1 sales.

[@ryandavis858]

Facts you just summed it up rihanna too. Puma never sold so good since she came aboard. When everything you do is low key important your a star.

[@CloudTribe]

Yah their aren't to many female juggernauts but Rihanna is definitely one of them. Puma and Adidas owe Kanye and Rihanna big time.

[@ripxxx5864]

I agree with joe budden. Cause akademiks lowkey don't know what he talking bout

[@Keese69916031]

High Key bro

[@2otimesbetter]

akademiks is biased af too

[@chillhomie04]

Benji Madison It's not low key. He simply doesn't know what he's talking about.

[@nicholasedwards2478]

Akademiks is stupid as hell, all he does is play on words..

[@lityigimi5196]

Dj akademiks getting chubby, that KZbin money paying off

[@cancerous.potato5206]

Steve Smith Sr lol he been chubby

[@TorontosFinestKrew]

we don't know a skinny ak

[@geovannycruz9361]

Steve Smith Sr he's always been fat wdym

[@whoozyyy]

Steve Smith Sr getting chubby? nigga is fat and always has been a fat fuck

[@freebandzzzz6733]

*Lil lemon - check the x-ray*.

[@Sangang2716]

Joe budden is right on this one

[@Ms_T_Perfectly_Imperfect]

Tsega Zelalem He won the whole argument when Akademiks tried to put him on the spot by asking if he was a star and Joe said no I'm not lmao. He kept it 💯

[@kashkien]

nah

[@supremeclientele83]

The Weeknd might be quiet but he's fucking A list actors and models which makes him reach beyond his music. Because of the women he's seen with it automatically makes him a star (alpha status), he doesn't have to make noise. Tyga furthered his star power to audiences beyond by dating Kylie. Similar shit. And Joe is right about Uzi. He's going to fall off. Those that will emerge as legends of this era are A$AP, Kendrick, Drake and a few others who will still catch mention in the 2020's when looking back to now

[@MrGNugget]

Akadmiks is acting dumb, just because Joe doesnt explain it in essay form like you do for everything doesnt mean hes wrong. We all know what he meant by "reach"

[@young-gi9ny]

Don’t forget he said uzi won’t be here in 4 to 5 years and it’s been 3 and uzi is one of the biggest artist alive

[@sergiolopez3594]

Akademiks dressed like he came from a funeral

[@joebuddensego626]

Sergio López with that bulls hat too tho

[@paulgriffin3274]

Joe is right. You need reach. It's not hard to understand. Drake, Rihanna, Etc, they reach all types of people from all over the world. Image, stage presence, etc are all apart of the package but you have to be able "reach" different types of people, different countries, etc I'm pretty sure Bryson's reach is only in the US and only with a certain demographic of people. Bryson had been out for how long? And I just heard of him last year.

[@eviuze6259]

you live under a stone then

[@paulgriffin3274]

Then so does majority of the country

[@DjaiLive]

Paul Griffin Bryson hasn't been out for more than 2 years. He's a star. Fuck all that other shit you talking bout. Being a star is making hits over and over again. He made Don't, Sorry Not Sorry, Exchange, featured in Keep You In Mind with Chris Brown, etc. Y'all are overdoing what it takes to be a star. Everybody doesn't present the same things. If so there would be no Prince, MJ, No Ice Cube, No Drake, etc.

[@thephilosopher7173]

The Visionary Vlog Nope, sorry, the industry determains what a "star" is.. and Joe is clearly outlining how that works, and he's right! "Hits" are sometimes subjective to the location they're released. Here in Canada we have "hit" songs, how come you never heard of our artists? UK has hit Grime artists...but how many Americans know about Grime? Drake is a star cuz he's got reach. AJ Tracey is a dope artist, but no reach cuz ppl in the UK know about him and a sprinkle of Americans do to....

[@DjaiLive]

PillsburyHomeboi So Bryson doesn't have reach but you clearly know who he is and you're in Canada😂. And the industry doesn't tell nobody if they're a star or not. THIS IS NEW HIP HOP. THERE IS NO INDUSTRY IN TODAY'S HIP HOP. Being a star is determined by the frequency of hits you put out. Bryson is a star until he can't put out a hit anymore. Why did the Migos become stars? Because they constantly put out hits. Not because the industry "declared" them stars. He's been on 2 international tours already so the reach is a invalid point. Every one brigs something different to the table so you can't judge artists on the same criteria. It's impossible.

[@svinurayi9434]

For once i agree with budden

[@takudzwaful]

word

[@Pablo-ob9sb]

I am Qpid SV not when he said lil Uzi isn't a star

[@thephilosopher7173]

100% His point was that there are associations that the industry makes to show how they view you...and if you're label is extending what you do to make sure you're in the game, they see you as a star. I usually side with AK but Joe had him..

[@Donsthought]

100%

[@prophecy9521]

So do I The Weeknd is too talented to not be a star he's once in a gen talent.

[@A2TRaNQuiLiiTy]

DJ Akademiks storing Walnuts in his cheeks

[@HunchoATL]

Akademics looks like your typical side mission player in GTA

[@Macalister4ever]

Introverts can be charismatic too.

[@johnrodgers2568]

Prince is the most introverted star EVER. But arguably the 2nd biggest star ever Michael Jackson being 1st.

[@gwraps9815]

I approve of this message..

[@eviuze6259]

john rodgers I'm sorry to bring it to you but they both dead bro they ain't stars no more

[@chancellor4323]

eViuZe bro they both stars both still making money for their families. both still known worldwide. stars up in the stars

[@318GrandMan]

Ok I'm only 23 so this is a shock to me. I never heard that Prince was an introvert

[@clintonetchu6668]

Prince has reach

[@gregoryarmstrong1484]

Just because someone is famous does not make them a star.....Uzi is famous, Yachty is famous.....Future is a star. Akademiks throws around star too casually in almost every video and barely holds to his own criteria he just listed while Joe doesn't stick to a single mold but takes too long to flesh out his ideas. But Akademiks needs to get over his need to one-up Joe and realize that Joe has some valid points. He's right about reach and label involvement, they just wanna harp on the statement that introverts aren't stars and not actually listen and engage with other valid knowledge.

[@JoeDirtisawsome]

there are different levels of stardom. Uzi and yachty are stars,but future is a super star. Bryson does have reach. he is big enough for these guys to talk about him. his music managed to reache me, joe, nadeska, and AK

[@qwntnqwntn]

Simple, rap is whatever Young Thug says it is.

[@thuggerjackson5986]

Quinton facts

[@FidoeFTW]

Quinton 😂😂😂😂

[@djonesthe21]

Quinton W

[@aano1370]

Fact

[@Oxibaras]

This was a fantastic conversation guys! Everybody was on point, tons of insight. This the type of discussion I looiiiiikkkee

[@goomprolewski7805]

Still waiting for Joe's reaction to Teenage Emotions!!!

[@whoozyyy]

gołomp rolewski why

[@chuckjunious]

gołomp rolewski They told him next time he outburst his punishment is going to be to listen to it, including anything bonus related, then give a positive critique on it lol

[@whoozyyy]

Garmanarnar !! Oh lmao. I actually like Teenage Fever

[@k.j.littlejohn4362]

akademiks got cooked here only thing i enjoyed was seeing Nadeska coming to Ak's aid lol getting protective there

[@chiefakif2739]

" I don't wanna put anything in your mouth" 😂😂😂

[@shanescaddan4946]

“Im a Vergo, I think with my mind” Joe Budden; flower boy.

[@stayclose1661]

6:59 Akademics looks like he's about to cry

[@MrJRDOT1]

That last bit that Joe said was real. If an artist won't be here in 5 years he's not a star. Uzi doesn't have the talent to be here for another 4-5 years.

[@MrLama4]

How did he get here in the first place tho?

[@amilcakin912]

Budden is The Truth, a star For The Underground!! Put Respect On The Name, Slaughter House Legend!!!

[@jeransamuel3497]

Comparing bryson to weekend is like comparing john cena to santino mariella

[@Demonosama911]

😂😂😂😂

[@ezequielrenovato6608]

I really do enjoy this series, but sometimes I wonder, who tf actually cares about these questions?

[@FidoeFTW]

SSJ Chicano so damn true lol

[@chuckjunious]

SSJ Chicano You put it in words for me🙌🙌

[@beach_boy1141]

Facts...it's a everyday struggle to come up with these dumb ass questions.

[@RekarG]

I thought it was pretty interesting.

[@DaKiNg236god]

SSJ Chicano it's pretty interesting to me

[@rachit]

"this isnt house of balloons weeknd" true.

[@stephann777s14]

I miss this everyday struggle

[@carlosnopery6517]

Kendrick Lamar and j.cole are stars

[@MACKAVON]

And they're introverts, Budden makes no sense most of the time.

[@zingGodin]

Carlos Nopery j Cole a lowkey star ahah he keeps himself so under the radar but he's too damn talented to not be one

[@Xgamerwoo]

Carlos Nopery bruh being talented doesn't mean you a star

[@natehardy9996]

LMFAOOO

[@frankcamacho4358]

i dnt think being a star depends on if youre an introvert or not

[@RiftVizi0nz]

Saw Young Thug, clicked...

[@michaelmcneil7380]

Matt Nice me too

[@vanitoelau1508]

Man DJ Akademiks is being petty as with his replies 'you're saying that because you're on soundtrack you're star?' just objecting for the sake of it zzz

[@yomommaNyadaddy]

I just see Bryson tiller as a generic tumblr praying hands posing r&b guy

[@kingrally5412]

Joe keeps it 100 and basis his opinions on history and shit that he's seen being in the game for the the last two decades. Ak basis his opinions on shit that he's seen in the last few years. Huge difference

[@ellzthegod]

The way Ak be talking in his videos I never would have thought Joe would be cooking him on EVERY topic EVERYDAY like this.

[@k.j.littlejohn4362]

ellzthegod i wouldnt say everyday but he definitely got cooked here

[@DetroitsProduct]

Michael Jackson the LARGEST STAR EVER and was the most introvert too!

[@nikecrazy77]

"how bout idgaf"😂I almost died

[@WuTangWyatt]

I wouldn't recognize Bryson Tiller if he knocked on my front door right now and tried to hand me a mixtape

[@SeVinKru3ger]

Alot of people know Bryson Tillers music, but don't know his face...... he's not a STAR yet.

[@EMESYOO32]

I fuckin love these everyday struggle videos.

[@wilkiebaggins]

Bryson is not a star yet, and his album was average at best

[@baserreo]

lol that's facts uzi will not be here in 5 years

[@moneyway8178]

Samurai G nigga stop hating

[@thuggerjackson5986]

Samurai G same for 2pac

[@baserreo]

rich the kid no hate b, i like uzi.. but it's facts

[@jaimemootoo8731]

Facts

[@ridersscript]

Nah he will

[@cameronmiller69]

just real quick. Bryson Tiller has 1.2M subscribers and almost a billion views. That's much more "reach" than a lot of the examples stated. annnnnd that's hundreds of millions more than you Joe. you too Akademiks...

[@psyckojoe]

I swear every fucking episode is DJ Akademiks thinking everybody in the world is the type of nigga that watches him or Complex and Joe thinking everything that happens on the internet has no influence in real life.

[@Kinofromthe75]

AK Joe budden got you on this, it's about your reach world wide, not your criteria because every star isn't the same, of course the weekends stardom would be different from a Jay Z or PAC or Young Thug, it's like that but what all of them have is reach and clear cross over, if the labels drop them they would still be able to be success, Bryson can't do that, and no Uzi will not be here in 4-5 years

[@MrDqn14]

this is the first interview where I agree and am not annoyed at joe budden

[@47tunes23]

You know DJ Akademiks balls tingled when he nadeska said "I'll hold you down akademiks "😂

[@jaymezlaflare6027]

Drug users vs non drug users

[@rawgtb]

MJ was an introvert.....Prince was an introvert...Jay-z and Nas also introverts....Lil Wayne a self-described introvert. ... Some of the biggest stars have always been introverts off stage.

[@samharman7732]

Budden:"you call a lot of people stars" Ak: "You can't name them" .... that's the point. it's a lot of people

[@lljusttry]

does akademiks even know what being an introvert means

[@5.9million86]

A star is someone who the majority of the general population can name by pic and/or can picture in their head who they are just by their name alone regardless if they can name what they do as a craft.

[@humanhighlight1]

sometimes i feel like Akademics don't know what he's talking about. He be missing Joe's points so much. Joe was right on this one.

[@Blizzured]

Drake is a Superstar

[@TheNadroj10]

He is, there is no arguing that.

[@sammysweet4154]

Nadeska seemed to make the point Joe was making. It's a mix of things, influence, talent, reach and charisma. That's why when Ak asks about a specific artist the answer isn't always the same. Some are more charismatic, some are far more talented, some have a really big reach but all of them have some mix of those factors. Bryson is lackluster in all of them.

[@30ladapo]

Can't wait for buddens reaction (screaming about how much he hates mumble rappers) to teenage emotion

[@JusWendell]

I will come back to this video 4 or 5 years from now.. we will see Joe

[@bapexster9047]

Nadeska said "i'm here to hold you down ak"?? AYO AKADEMIKS YOU BETTER HIT THAT RAW!

[@Nativesowl]

4:04-4:06 cuh chocked up Lmfao

[@edgexddx481]

Young thug pulled up cam newton on a radio interview, cam called him

[@marlo1579]

Joe right about this

[@icem744]

Top 10 rappers off all time: 1-biggie 2-nas 3-jay z 4-2pac 5-eminen 6-rakim 7-50 cent 8-Andre 3000 9-ice cube 10-Kendrick Lamar

[@tylertabor4917]

Joe makes sense in this argument for the first time in a while

[@mr.incognito7368]

Why does it seem like nadeska where the same clothes on every video or am I just tripping tf out 😂😂

[@tripponly3338]

You are right, she does!!!

[@Johntomlawer]

0:40 ,,I'm here to hold you down AK"

[@DivineDiva85]

I understand what Joe is saying. If I didn't have BT on a couple playlist I would almost forget about him. Akademic needs to think before he opens his mouth. He never gets his point across or I don't get it.

[@MrrMuyaagi]

Unless you can sell out a basketball stadium as a solo act, you're not a star.

[@MindKontrolUltimateLevel3]

Purses & Dracos Yuh, Colored hair & mumbles Yuh, Disrepek the culture Yuh, Shit on old heads Yuh, 2017 XXL Freshman criteria...

[@malcolmmsika1704]

J Cole is an introverted star.

[@vekashgajadhar48]

finally akademiks turns heel and joe right for once

[@AntonioRodriguez-io3nz]

Akademiks the type of dude to argue that pikachu is the best pokemon card to have when Joe Budden got charizard.

[@jakefoster9636]

This is becoming the hip hop version of espn First Take. who agrees?

[@zeikz]

The look on Akademiks face when Joe used Young Thug and attractive in the same sentence. 😂😂

[@TheEpiq225]

You can't question a math book, Joe Budden is entertainment, even though he doesn't carrry a book of statistics, he is spot on what he is saying. Akademiks needs to chill and stick to a topic that he knows.

[@therico0088]

Akademics is tripping, joe is right. Akademics is arguing stupid point and tries to find holes in joes points when there is none.

[@MrDOWORK28]

This outfit is wildddd joe. MAL VOICE Pink xl v neck with the white beater showing then boot cut dad jeans and nasty red shoes with the tounge showing..

[@jeromejohnson1526]

Akademiks grew some balls for this episode.

[@youngbuckfor3]

young thug is a star.. once EBBTG drops he will be SUPERstar

[@tsunamipapi1343]

13:18 wow joe was SUPER wrong abt that

[@hansolo9585]

Came here to comment this 💀

[@guellojello]

AK your workouts are paying off

[@samuelibegbulam1698]

0:54 nadeska is feeling Ak

[@jollofj3902]

Point Joe Budden

[@charliewingate1893]

Akademiks finally got one ✊🏾🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@joshuaweiss6723]

AK literally starts talking out of his ass when he starts losing an argument

[@jalinclay3714]

This show is basically Joe Budden vs The Internet

[@DREAMCHASEROURCE]

Young Thug is a star in the making!

[@gnirrednow]

young thug is the thumbnail for this video and what they're supposed to be talking about is bryson tiller, says enough

[@Blakout911]

Joe budden has a different criteria for each rapper what a herb

[@mrmunk-mj9yl]

Joe is right on this one. People see "Young Thug" or "The Weeknd" anywhere they click straight away... people see "Bryson Tiller" not so much. That's what makes someone a star or not

[@Chidulo]

J.Cole realised he was a star when he performed in South Africa and found that we knew his lyrics. Reach!

[@illustratyr3620]

But Joe was right in this debate

[@ThenotoriousAmerican1]

without Kendrick, Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Gucci I'm not sure where the rap sound will come from.

[@utheverse]

lmfao did Joe say young dog shit I'm weak😂💀

[@KujoKiller97]

Joe Budden is right on this, tbh it's about the reach

[@jeffkeys8703]

Uncle Joe with the hot takes !! LMAO

[@cget]

Popularity is all that really makes a star to be honest. Talent and personality has little to do with that. The Kardashians and Paris Hiltons of the world already proved that.

[@XxhrdcrpunkxX]

akademiks always got a new nba team hat. like which team is your team nigga? lol

[@exulify8506]

ak seem to take things personal in a conversation about rappers budden seems calm

[@yoelpachuco6875]

Kendrick and cole the GOATs of new school 💯

[@ricardosoto6314]

King Ali L

[@quaninthecut]

Young Fierro L

[@thuggerjackson5986]

King Ali L

[@quaninthecut]

SkankHunt 43 Super L

[@MelonSquash]

King Ali u forgot logic

[@jamahllynch3233]

I actually agree with joe, charla the gods critic has improved the show