Is Future in the Top Tier of Rap? | Everyday Struggle

Is Future currently in the top tier of the rap game? Joe Budden and DJ Akademiks debate on the latest episode of #EverydayStruggle.
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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.

[@732Wavy]

Future is basically a more successful trap version of T Pain, nobody called T Pain an MC back in the day either

[@yugfus]

Yung Wavy Exactly, T-Pain actually changed the whole industry.

[@miked.336]

stop, theyre nowhere near alike But.... Tpain was the biggest thing in MUSIC when he was on. Dude lived on the radio and t.]v.

[@yugfus]

Mike D. Yeah, but over time the mainstream neglected him. Future so far seems to have more staying power, which is wild because I think T-Pain was better.

[@buscemiboss5009]

yugfus future has waaayyy more hit songs than tpain ever had!! future makes like 20 mixtapes a month and they play every song in every club u go to!

[@mrchaotiq]

T-Pain was an artist or featured artist in 4 top 10 songs simultaneously, Future hasn't done or won't do that.

[@TheLuw1997]

Akademiks looks so confused when he's listening to Budden talk.

[@OuterKrystos]

Louis Nevers akademics not able to talk about certain topics past his own personal opinion he dont know shit abt rap

[@capalottyslimalini2878]

He’s not that smart

[@alishadawson5035]

Faaaaacts

[@johnlewis5776]

Yess

[@mvttz]

This man has dropped Monster, DS2, Save me, Hndrxx, what a time to be alive, the wizrd, evol, purple reign, 56 nights etc. All solid projects, his vocals and production are incredible. His song writing is so overlooked especially on certain projects like Monster and Save. He has pushed the boundaries of trap music and has inspired so many individuals. He is absolutely one of the best to do it.

[@Negus1k]

Facts

[@lilwilliebigbrotherI-55]

Nothin but BIG FACTZ

[@bago49]

Budden with the LA Reid story was going so good and civil then this nigga got loud for no MoFo reason 😂😂

[@MyWORDisntGospel]

I take it you don't listen to his podcast. 😂 Joe is bipolar af

[@CKBREEZY7]

Akm Da Dream 😂😂😂😭😭😂😭

[@bnwo]

I don't care what you say! This is not up for debate!

[@disciple_deshun]

Akm Da Dream Joe Budden is correct "you can't exploit us nationally and globally, but we're not afforded the luxuries as other genres". And that's as far as hip hop goes. Subscribe to my channel guys...

[@theprophetmentality]

march madness is one of the best songs tho

[@brandenokbranded9078]

Raushaun Brown mask off is too

[@catalyst5654]

Raushaun Brown mask off IS absolutely nothing.

[@DBrezzy219]

Raushaun Brown agreed 💯

[@Spiinellii]

they are all good cause of the melody tho

[@OhZjuchi]

nah future has plenty of really really good tracks like Damage

[@ken4yaya]

Shoutout to Southside, Metro, Zaytoven, TM88, all these great producers producing great instrumentals that a lot of wack "rappers" get rich on.

[@poloregal]

ken4yaya word

[@Broham.tar0]

I think nowadays lyrical quality or "bars" is not much of a commodity as it used to be, it's more or less what unique quality can that artist contribute to the current trend of music.

[@mikeial7725]

nowadays the flow and beat are way more important than lyrics thats just how it is

[@yourightfosho8879]

ken4yaya Exactly, shame.

[@oscarsotelo2804]

ken4yaya It should be a fucking crime how those beats go to waste tbh

[@EliteClinicalResearch]

Trap is the dominant sound in music right now. Future ushered it in. Without future there would be no Rae Sremmurd, Migos, Cardi B, Trap Drake etc.

[@mr.knockonwood2x21]

Damn DJ akademiks joe's been killin u in these debates lately bruh lol

[@raymanny7418]

Future IS A TOP TIER ARTIST. I dont care what you categorize him rap or not. Future is TOP TIER

[@alexcabanas8797]

Mohammed Kaki second tier

[@DjRichieRich57]

In this era of course, but lets not act like he could hang with Biggie, Pac, Jay, etc in that era. He would only be able to do their hooks.

[@catalyst5654]

No he's not

[@L2Rmusic]

Catalyst That's an opinion

[@trvspvrk]

W

[@yagirlfavoritehomeboy733]

Future Hndrxxx got 13 top 100 hits, 3 #1 albums, ability to tour worldwide, and has Endorsements. Features from Jay Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake, Pharrell, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, the weekend, Justin Bieber, and Toni Braxton. Future is defly Top Tier!!!

[@catalyst5654]

Gino brown promotion and numbers dont make you good. He's a garbage rapper.

[@activechile6436]

See sometimes his success is exaggerated by his peaks. For example, 13 entries or actual hits? cause he's only got like 6 top 40's as a soloist which is what's considered HITS. He has 4* #1 albums bc of his rollout of constant releases during good weeks but it's not like his end sales are HUGE. He's big in hip-hop and has impact in hip-hop but I think he's just getting started in mainstream pop world. Drake is top tier and Kendrick seems to be coming fast with big album numbers and hits bigger than any Future song, plus he's an actual lyricism that trumps them all, I'd say Future's probably in third.

[@notoriousbig19]

activechile Calling Drake top tier? L.

[@cjgooglemail564]

Catalyst that's a stretch

[@catalyst5654]

CJ GoogleMail I just can't find one thing that future is talented at in terms of raps.

[@TheFreedd]

I've been a Future fan for a while now and I never considered him a top tier rap artist as in RAP , not TRAP, even though I still think thats debatable .. but after Future (the album) , Future is definitely a top tier rap artist, and we got Hendrix a week later.. he doesn't get enough credit for his lyrics, while not prodigal lyricist, his lyrics are witty and well though of . His albums/mixtapes are also extremely well put together. Don't discredit it just cuz its trap , or 'mumble rap' as Akademiks likes to put it.. To be honest trap artists have been putting out some of the best, more forward thinking and hit packed projects recently..

[@west6982]

future is the goat

[@zulmiracosta7960]

West 69 ru high nigga?

[@west6982]

codeine crazy

[@selfishstockton6123]

He’s ass

[@dreamsnetwork9132]

future has been a top tier artist when ALLL THE TOP TIER ARTISTS ARE STEALING FUTURES SHIT

[@trrehouse9524]

That jimmy graham analogy 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@saiffyzy]

The only reason Future could put out albums quick is cause he's a powerhouse. He's definitely top tier. He has bars that you guys sleep on, within his mixtapes. Y'all judge rappers without even knowing their work.

[@saiffyzy]

Future killed Drake on digital dash 😴

[@GreayStatia]

Future is amazing future is great

[@SigurTibbs]

Why is everybody so goddamn aggressive in this shit

[@yamomzabxtch4573]

its mostly joe

[@SigurTibbs]

They're like that in the vlogs too. I feel like all 3 of them hate each other.

[@RLO26]

it's not aggressive too me I grew up with heated debates when in came to hip hop in barbershop, school, basketball courts tho regular hip hop heads passion

[@stealthyteddy6787]

u cant understand us cuz u too soft Stick Talk

[@OathBoy_562]

RAP. Rhythm and Poetry. Melody has a huge impact on hiphop. Does all RAP songs have melody, but it definitely has a important presence

[@tsunamipapi1343]

future is absolutely in the top tier of rap . it’s not a debate

[@SevenRayedGod]

Future top tier? I want whatever yall smoking over there at Complex must be some good shit.

[@logrego4195]

SevenRayedGod he's top tier bro .. hottest artist in the rap game

[@DEEJAYisAWESOME]

+Greg Mcculloh stop making jokes

[@logrego4195]

Denver January he got more plaques than today's popular artist.. Cole , Kendrick , Big Sean etc etc

[@gauravkarkhanis3197]

Greg Mcculloh as mentioned in the video future is top tier SUCCESS in hip hop but that man belongs at the bottom when it comes to skill and actual ability to rap

[@saulramirez3699]

Gaurav Karkhanis whats this skill you speak of? future has skill and ability, not everyone can have number 1 albums not everyone can have multiple platinum records not everyone can ride beats, not everyone can kill hooks, not everyone can be one of the most successful artist in rap, hes top tier wether you like it or not and he does have skill that not everyone has

[@OathBoy_562]

Future is a top tier rapper. Is he the most lyrical, or socially conscious; NO, obviously. But he is consistent on dropping hiphop records. Future is great at dropping dope hooks and choruses

[@mamba4817]

But they're trash hooks

[@ClaudeOmari]

Jump out the new whip, like I'm a slave master!

[@zxcytdfxy256]

future's songs are just as good as kendrick's

[@hawkeyedsentinel4648]

Mllr hr here's the biggest L, take it and rethink what you just said.

[@jaybud400]

If u talking career wise than hell yes he has a better career than almost all the artist out but the ability to rap hell to the no. When it comes to rap ability Kendrick and j cole is at the top

[@yesp9248]

Jeremie Sanders There both over rated. Lil Wayne and Montana of 300 are best lyricists alive. That shit is fact bruh fr!

[@dominiquedespres3776]

Jeremie Sanders yes to rap lyrical kendrick but melody future

[@toddmaek5436]

King Los ,Blackthought, Andre 3K , Nas, are at the top of rappin ability, oh and Joe Buddens too for that matter, shyyyyyyyt Em, royce, cyhi , etc etc these niggas can just strait the fuck up RAP!

[@hawkeyedsentinel4648]

Jeremie Sanders j cole is average rapper, he's not that good. Also top lyricist will be Nas, MF DOOM, Rakim, Biggie, Wu tang clan, Big L etc.

[@beeisbad]

Future is NOW a legend in hip hop for what he has accomplished in the game... PERIOD. And I DON'T EVEN LIKE HIS MUSIC!!!... But, Trap is still hip-hop. And this brother has excelled to unreal levels in Trap/HipHop.

[@ordinaryrapper08]

March madness will live forever

[@pesxo6428]

every body actin like they did not bumb fuck up some commas

[@youngmanupkcakris8877]

the Jimmy graham analogy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> maaaaaaane that was tough

[@tynumbaseven2081]

“Get these nigga ak” 😂

[@yesp9248]

Joe Budden looks like a raspberry

[@Spiritualology]

James Lil Wayne's the goat James hawkins nigga u everywhere. U needa get off youtube and get a life 😂

[@DEEJAYisAWESOME]

Lil wayne is the reason for all these mumble rappers

[@yesp9248]

Hale Yeah Bruh im 16 and I have as much of a life as I could possibly have atm. And btw I see you everywhere too ffs.

[@yesp9248]

Denver January Hes also the reason for rappers like Kdot. "I shit these rappers out and sometimes I forget to flush them" Dont blame Wayne for other rappers incompetence and talent.

[@DEEJAYisAWESOME]

+James Lil Wayne's the goat James hawkins kdot style seems more inspired by em than it does lil wayne...that asshole just makes weed and dick music...

[@romelegend2334]

I can't never forget wale ft jadakiss n future. killer track

[@Apollo0nline]

YALL HAVE SLAVE MINDSETS . honestly , just because something isnt deep to a general thinker doesnt mean that his millions of fans dont somehow resignate with him . yall have to understand that rap is too big for itself i stg . lemme break some shit down for yall , Kanye West created the first New Wave album with 808's & Heartbreak , Future used trap to elevate New Wave to another level with Monster , Beast Mode & 56 Nights , then Uzi , Carti , Rich , Dex & kinda Yachty created what we listen to now which is Rock Wave// Alternative Punk Trap . the older guys are holding onto what rap was before Kanye came in the game & Rap will never die but it aint whats poppin no more . times change , things change with it , & Future is DEFINITELY a top-tier artist .

[@thedondon911911]

L

[@Apollo0nline]

really ? that's how you respond to a disection of that calliber ? lol & you still type L as a response to anythin ? smh your culture card is revoked trollface , take many seats .

[@estebanb7166]

PhantomDragon Gibson I like how you made up a bunch of bullshit labels and thought it was insightful. Future is the definition of generic. NO GROWTH. He has been making the same song over and over and over...

[@barzcamp6869]

Change is not better than evolution, these guys change the general culture but do nothing to evolve it.

[@naruto1coolestfan]

Yall saying no but half yall bump his shit, be honest

[@chainingtatum6684]

Jlrsnake13 that don't mean he top tier tho. I can bump an Iggy song and she for sure ain't top tier. Future is top tier in his style of rap but bottom tier when it comes to lyrical rap. Future can't go bar for bar wit Nas, Rakim, ANY lyrical rapper at all.

[@sebastianfess1690]

Chaining Tatum how can u bump an Iggy song😂😂😂

[@naruto1coolestfan]

Chaining Tatum If mumble rap didnt get as much shit as it does, ppl wouldnt be afraid to say wut they want about certain artist. Some niggas bump future everyday and have heard a single 90s rapper song, but pretend like they respect. Well not pretend, but they respect it cuz others respect it.

[@mursemumu93]

why do you want to compare his shit to nas, raked or any "lyrical" rapper, that is not what is hot in the streets point, blank, period. Future is easy to listen to when riding down the street or listening with the homies and thats why this style is hot. we don't want to sit there with our boys breaking down every bar figuring out the word play.

[@victoruchiha4550]

Jlrsnake13 i dont bump his gay ass music.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

check out Merk's version of "fck up the comas" or "Mask off" he killed it on a version of that Chainsmokers song. His albums are epic too

[@lisifr4real850]

future is a legend he aspires allot of the these new guys that's getting put on

[@richwanbbn8559]

future's litt bro

[@brandend6953]

Aldane Richards Future bows down to Young Thug💯

[@kendonkey6836]

Richwan kiddo naw young thug is future son

[@dominiquedespres3776]

Branden Badass no

[@arlandofrazier]

Richwan kiddo future is wack

[@dominiquedespres3776]

Arlando Frazier no

[@1.p670]

joe B with that jimmy graham comparison, facts lol fo my sports heads

[@alonzojohnson7591]

nobody gonna say LA Reid helped Outkast once again them old NY rappers ain't tryna hear these Kountry Rap Tunes

[@alonzojohnson7591]

I meant he said what LA Reid know about hip hop

[@sfootz]

I lost it when joe said "he's been pointy shoes all his life" lmaoooo

[@jadenayala1281]

that Jimmy Graham Being TE but playing WR most the time is a real smart comparison

[@selormamuzu9860]

To me, there should be 3 types of lists; the GOAT, The top hip-hop "artists" and Top MCs.. that way you can keep the MC list have some form of purity because when people talk about the top 10 people talk about how certain rappers are underrated because of mainly skill, they don't have the impact or influence of other rappers... to me people need to start rating rappers in a full package and those who fit in a certain bracket go to that bracket.

[@official.avdmj15]

I don't care about Joe Budden's past but this brother is real and fuck! I fuck with him!! 🙏💯

[@p80794]

Alternative Rap that's the label

[@ericcraine197]

top 5 in the game today Drake future j cole Kendrick big Sean

[@DeyjanBeats]

24 likes - 27 disliked complex finna go bankrupt

[@q-cellentertainment8942]

Joe is right about all main stream artist being melodic and it not being up for debate. It's actually something I just recently realized upon beginning to study main stream again. Realizing my stuff isn't melodic. At all, Thus, Just being lyrical and having strong word play just isn't enough. Any artist whose ever been big was melodic. Even if they had strong word play. Its what I believe is really about to turn my whole game around and begin to get me noticed. On my page, KZbin . Com > "Search" > Q-Cell Entertainment > Playlist > "2016 / 2017 Singles" > "Losing My Mind" .... Is a song I recently started applying concept and one of the few songs I did 100% Everything for. If you do check it out. Please look past singing. I literally did it as a reference for this female I know to follow and sing the lyrics for me. She just never got around to it. Took me a year to post XD I suck at singing but, I felt it needed to be heard. If anyone out there would care to. I would really appreciate any and all Non Hateful Feed Back lmao nah, Ill take the hateful shit if its all I can get and it's honest! HMU on InstaGram @QCellEnt Much Love! - QuCell

[@danielatumisi3866]

The most confusing part is that Budden's music is is similar with R&B melodies which is the most confusing part.

[@secondwolfjiro7204]

he is just a hook God, that's it. not even close to being top tier

[@Gregducs]

he has 5 consecutive #1 albums, thats more than just being a hook god, whatever you think of the actual music

[@quincy9213]

Hypercaste future makes the perfect music for clubs and the radio. this is why hes not top tier, look at his lyrics there bland. he just has amazing producers

[@secondwolfjiro7204]

Hypercaste it's cause of the hooks lmaooo... find me anyone who will say " yoooooooooooo mask off was lyrically fire"

[@secondwolfjiro7204]

Quigz he dont even produce lmaoo

[@Gregducs]

stop, be objective for a second, do you know how many amazing producers exist in this day and age??... he clearly build an influential sound, sells records consistently, packs out shows (is about to headline an arena tour), gets insane show money, you might not like him but hes the definition of a top tier artist

[@badzbandile83]

budden im from Africa (south Africa to be specific) & a lot of us here have been listening to rap/hip-hop waayyyyy before Drake :)

[@NoName-nq3oo]

Hell no.

[@stephenalcantara2261]

FUTURE IS DA GOAT! NO DEBATE

[@RustyCowboy27]

Budden's face when he said fuck them all lol

[@justinbristoe]

This nigga joe went straight Professor in this episode, i hope he stays on this lane moving forward.

[@primejordan8338]

Future> JCole

[@ken4yaya]

Put the styro cups down. It's affecting your brain

[@thuggerjackson5986]

Chef Boy facts

[@thuggerjackson5986]

Chef Boy young thug>Jcole

[@Mrabo007]

dont feed the trolls

[@jaybook1281]

J Cole is one of the greatest of this generation

[@damianalmazan1]

So y'all ain't gonna upload the whole video no more

[@mrLuckasman]

The rap world is so much different than the old days. There are very few rappers nowadays who are really great lyricists like the old days. The rap style is different now and future fucks with today's style so yes he's top tier for today.

[@freebwalker]

Shout out to Complex for this awesome show!!!! Real dialog! Love Joe & Dj Akademiks chemistry. Joe deserves a Grammy, Oscar and Emmy...You can not discount Joe as much as you want to hate on him. He has a strong voice that is needed in hip hop today. The nigga is not old by the way. Lol.

[@jeliroletheearthwalker997]

This show was a masterpiece❤

[@markcurry3621]

Joe says he says what he wants, yet holds back vs people he needs something, ie a verse, from.

[@daj_leo4417]

I definitely agree with Joe Budden on this one. I learned that there are two forms of music: melody and rhythm. Rapping in my opinion rhythmically approaching poetry. Hip hop in recent years have become more melodic and we the ppl of drake and future to thank for that. Rapping will continue to evolve and I can't wait to see what will happen in the years to come.

[@mamba4817]

It's trash. The melodies are trash to. Want melodies listen to great rock bands, or grear indie folk artist, rap had way more complexity to it before these bs nursery melodies.

[@raiden4042]

metro boy wants some more (credit) niqqa

[@natep7411]

academics just needs a friend

[@fbginc.284]

this man not no fukkin mumble rapper

[@callistus654]

I don't consider future mumble rap I understand everything he be saying. thug is mumbling I like how quavo referred to his music as "trap funk" on his interview with vlad that fits what they do and it not discrediting as calling it mumble rap because it's not TI or young jeezy trap music but it has elements of trap and the beats make you move like funk did back in the day so trap funk works.

[@kennethwilliamsinc]

I somewhat disagree with Joe. LA Reid is the man when it comes to the music BUSINESS. He calls the shots because he knows what makes money period. Yea we all want to hear bars for the culture but these corporations need money to operate and bars don't always sell. There has to be a compromise somewhere which is why we have to find the music we want to hear and not just depend on what the radio plays.

[@n90900]

This is like ESPN First Take but for hip hop😂😂😂😂

[@MODERNDAYGRIOT]

🗣talk 👏🏿yo 👏🏿shit 👏🏿Joey! He's not lying.

[@pimpindymepiece]

SOULFRESHMUSICGROUP he's not, at all. And the jimmy graham reference was SPOT ON

[@spitbarstv8846]

Hip Hop popped in Africa since Weezy's Tha Carter series... From way before that actually...

[@BurgzCTX]

Joe Budden sonning akademics every time

[@CappuchinoFonzarelli]

Joe on point with this one

[@choppachoc1]

only top tier rappers can drop back to back albums and they both go number 1

[@vaniumvii6453]

ay, buddens shirt is clean as fuck. his shirt brighter then my future. lool xD

[@romeowilson4607]

Joe hate them pointy ass shoes 😂😂😂😂

[@HDCKKC]

shit escalated quickly tho fam

[@wedontlikenoneofyou]

He's like a bootleg common

[@mariowright8487]

basically a joe budden rant about him being upset for not getting a deal with epic through la. reid. mad because he never did make top tier like future or any of these young niggaz doing in their prime.

[@ah-ol8yk]

is kendricks dna a part 2. i heard a song called dna years ago. from a non top tier artist made it.

[@xECGangsterx]

JOE with the facts again

[@maryndphiphishow]

The people gatta hear this nigga joe budden

[@mfknrmxthebangmessiah6012]

Joe was on point here!

[@digistanceman]

Watch the whole video, fuck this clip from the whole video fucking up my new video feed

[@SOURAVEMEL]

Joe is absolutely right

[@doitlive1279]

High quality low quality music

[@astrophenotypetao6682]

"I don't care what you say! This is not up for debate."

[@maineunderreview7580]

the music version of first take lol

[@philipmonroe81]

Joe is the truth!

[@brian3ellis]

They are all melodic foreal

[@TCKMRECORDZ]

so we just gonna ignore the fact that this nigga joe out here lookin all red

[@e.a.t284]

Top tier ARTIST not MC was the question. So IS HE TOP TIER ARTIST of this generation. Yes. Absolutely. I love hip hop too but give the man his credit. There is a difference between rapper, mc and artist.

[@SwollLifeProject]

Future is TRAPPPP wth?? in trap he the Goat. in rap skills hes not plan and simple. Damn Joe keeping it to realllll lol no chill

[@nicholasmcgee578]

joe budden made dj akdemiks look like a bad kid

[@jlang7975]

Good points Joe👏💯💯

[@raheemwilson894]

Travis scott has hella bars...but he's on some melodic type shit now tho

[@west6982]

razzle dazzle is the best song from future ever

[@quintonmccaa6754]

Akademics don’t know what he talking about future is not a mumble rapper have the best bars that sound lyrical but there is nobody who sounds like future or anybody who can still his sound

[@nkwakutoure]

Nadeseka is starting to grow on me.

[@OLDMANGRG]

Finally Complex gets something right This is first take of hip hop

[@Paradise2003]

He's getting close to the top as far as relevance(today). Lyrically he's always followed a formula. He doesn't leave his comfort zone.

[@yessirski7436]

Akademics ain’t no what he was talking bout be foreal Pluto got 80% of the game sounding like him man been out since 2011 besides drake haven’t seen nobody more consistent