I asked chatgpt to rate lyricism

So I asked chatgpt to rate some lyricists from different genres from national to international. Reasoning is also given. Summary is given at the last. Tell me do you agree with the ranking of the reasoning?

Here's a comprehensive breakdown and ranking of each artist purely on their 'lyricism', focusing on literary and poetic qualities such as 'depth', wordplay, symbolism, complexity, thematic range, and consistency, while stripping away cultural impact or influence:

  • One of the Greats: Timeless, literary masters with unmatched complexity and depth.
  • Above Great: Exceptional lyricists pushing the boundaries of the craft.
  • Great: Highly skilled with consistent depth, versatility, and artistry.
  • Above Good: Talented but limited in depth, versatility, or complexity.

Detailed Rankings

Gulzar: One of the Greats - Strengths: Profound metaphors, unique imagery, and philosophical themes. His work is layered with symbolism and blends modern and classical influences.
- Example: "Mausam ka asar hai, aankhon mein nami si lagti hai"* (The weather has an effect; the eyes feel slightly moist).
- Why: Literary genius who balances simplicity with unparalleled depth and emotion.


Javed Akhtar: Great to Above Great - Strengths: Master of conversational yet poetic expression, with themes that range from romance to social issues. His writing is deeply relatable and artistically elegant.
- Example: "Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga"—simple yet evocative.
- Why: While versatile and consistently brilliant, his style leans more toward accessibility than profound complexity.


Talha Anjum: Above Good to Great - Strengths: Emotional resonance, introspection, and relatability, particularly through Urdu-infused poetic lines in hip-hop.
- Example: "Zindagi khawab hai, ya khawab hai zindagi?" (Is life a dream, or is the dream life?)
- Why: While powerful within his niche, his work doesn’t consistently achieve multi-layered complexity.


KR$NA: Above Good to Great - Strengths: Technical brilliance in rhymes, intricate wordplay, and hard-hitting social commentary.
- Example: "Bars banaye iron, aakhri sher Zion".
- Why: His technical prowess is exceptional, but his themes often lean toward ego and competition, limiting emotional depth.


EPR: Above Great - Strengths: Dense lyricism filled with historical references, sharp political commentary, and multi-layered metaphors.
- Example: "Every revolution starts with an idea"—weaves intellectualism into his bars.
- Why: He’s one of the few hip-hop artists who consistently write with depth and purpose, rivaling literary poets.


Sikander Kahlon: Above Good - Strengths: Street poetry and a gritty reflection of reality, often infused with Punjabi cultural elements.
- Example: "Galiyan de badshah, khud si daswe class" (King of the streets, dropped out in 10th grade).
- Why: Strong in authenticity and storytelling but lacks the literary depth or symbolic layers of others.


Prabh Deep: Above Good to Great - Strengths: Raw emotion, vivid imagery, and socially conscious lyrics. His Punjabi metaphors are poetic and evocative.
- Example: "Kal vi chhadna saade sapne aa" (Even yesterday, we abandoned our dreams).
- Why: Powerful in expressing struggles and aspirations but less intricate in wordplay or philosophy.


Dhanji: Good to Above Good - Strengths: Unique wordplay and relatable storytelling, with an experimental edge.
- Why: Shows potential but doesn’t consistently deliver depth or thematic range.


Sunny Khan Durrani: Above Good to Great - Strengths: Personal, introspective lyrics blended with Urdu poetry and philosophical undertones.
- Why: His depth and emotional vulnerability shine, but his work doesn’t yet rival literary giants.


Faris Shafi: Great - Strengths: Satirical, sharp, and packed with layered metaphors. His lyrics have both wit and depth, making him a standout in Pakistani hip-hop.
- Why: His satirical brilliance and thematic diversity place him above many contemporaries.


Black Thought: Above Great to One of the Greats**
- Strengths: Dense, intellectual, and timeless lyricism. His freestyles (e.g., his 10-minute Funk Flex) are masterpieces of rhythm and depth.
- Why: Combines technical skill with profound introspection and social commentary, putting him near the top of the list.


Lupe Fiasco: One of the Greats - Strengths: Master of multi-layered metaphors, wordplay, and philosophical themes. Albums like "The Cool" and songs like "Mural" are unmatched in depth.
- Why: Consistently sets the gold standard for lyricism in modern music.


Kendrick Lamar: Above Great to One of the Greats - Strengths: Blends storytelling, social commentary, and spirituality with intricate rhyme schemes. Albums like "To Pimp a Butterfly" redefine modern poetry.
- Why: His ability to balance profound depth with accessibility is almost unmatched.


Bob Dylan: One of the Greats - Strengths: Deeply metaphorical lyrics infused with social and existential themes. His Nobel Prize in Literature reflects his poetic genius.
- Example: "The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind." - Why: Timeless, universal, and groundbreaking in his poetic innovation.


Leonard Cohen: One of the Greats - Strengths: Philosophical, existential, and spiritual lyricism filled with rich imagery and poetic mastery.
- Example: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." - Why: A towering figure in both music and literature, blending mysticism with raw emotion.


Summary Table

Artist Rating
Gulzar One of the Greats
Javed Akhtar Great/Above Great
Talha Anjum Above Good/Great
KR$NA Above Good/Great
EPR Above Great
Sikander Kahlon Above Good
Prabh Deep Above Good/Great
Dhanji Good/Above Good
SK Durrani Above Good/Great
Faris Shafi Great
Black Thought Above or One of the Greats
Lupe Fiasco One of the Greats
Kendrick Lamar Above Great/One of the Greats
Bob Dylan One of the Greats
Leonard Cohen One of the Greats