The Afterthoughts

“The eyelashes like umbrellas when it rains from the heart/And the tissue is like an angel kissin’ you in the dark”

If you can spit the next line or even know who’s saying this, you’re probably in the small minority. These lines are a short sample of Jay Electronica’s verse on Control. You can probably name everyone Kendrick called out in his verse and maybe even some of Big Sean’s emotional pleas for Detroit, but have you ever actively listened to Jay Electronica’s verse? Has anybody?

Every so often verses get lost in rap music history. For better or worse, artists get lost in the shadow of another on the same song. Whether you get stuck coming in after a bomb gets dropped on the beat like Jay Electronica, or give a throwaway verse that must just be for the cheque (cue generic Schoolboy Q feature), these artists are stuck as afterthoughts. Below are our favourite verses to scroll through.

Soulja Boy on We Made It

After Drake literally shits gold on the track, Soulja Boy comes in with what could have been 12 of the weakest bars of 2013. The contrast of Drake’s heated announcements and Soulja Boy’s giggling boasts is astounding. He doesn’t even sound excited to have made it. On this track, all Soulja Boy does is make us disappointed.

Remy on Lean Back (And everyone who’s ever been on a remix)

Seriously, does this need more explanation? Who’s trying to hear anything on that beat other than Fat Joe telling us to rockaway?

Gudda Gudda on Bedrock

Gudda Gudda gets a really special prize with this one as he has the worst verse on possibly the worst group song from a collective in the last, well, ever. When not recounting extravagant tales of bagging bitches like groceries or introducing himself halfway through a verse, you can find Gudda Gudda literally using a company’s slogan for a line. #Poetry

A$AP Ant on Bath Salt

A$AP Mob teamed up with fellow Beast Coast affiliates Flatbush Zombies for what could be the best song on their mixtape Lord$ Never Worry. Meech, Juice and A$AP Rocky all spit solid, flow flipping verses over an eerie, sort of screeching beat. There’s just one problem, in the middle of the song, someone decided to squeeze A$AP Ant who seems to be stuck in gear one.

“Ya’ll some fuckin queeeers/Grow a fuckin’ paaaaiiiir/I’m ‘posed to be heeeere”.

It really feels like A$AP Mob had finished the tape and realized, “Shit, we never gave Ant a verse. Alright get him to write some lines stat and we’ll see what we can do.”

Shawty Lo on Gucci Bandana

When half of your lyrics aren’t even worth explaining on rap genius (http://rapgenius.com/Soulja-boy-gucci-bandana-lyrics) you know there’s a problem.

Consequence on Spaceship

Coming in after two tight verses from Kanye and GLC, Consequence has tough acts to follow. Lyrically, he’s up to the task, but his delivery fails him. Speaking on the real issue of going broke and facing a life of uncertainty, his verse just falls flat and is easily forgettable 16 bars at the end of the song.

Fredo Santana on Jealous ft. Kendrick Lamar

Fredo Santana becomes another victim of the negative effects that come with getting a co-sign from one of the best lyricists today. Kendrick absolutely annihilates this beat and makes Santana’s molasses flow feel like weak background noise.

Pitbull on virtually every song he’s ever recorded

How Pitbull writes a verse:

1) Some dirty talk for the ladies

2) Questionable Spanish

3) A shout out to Voli Vodka

Have you seen Timber without Pitbull?