Flow state — the remote location that AI can’t reach.
In many ways, the idea of raging against the machine is more than just a great concept for an iconic ‘90s band, especially in these times of always-on machine learning and AI. The next great virtual artist can learn from every lyric, chord progression, and 808-pattern ever produced, but it can’t just rip off any specific creative expression.
Whether it’s Rakim, Slick Rick, Run DMC, The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Too Short, Nas, Jay-Z, DMX, Outkast, Three 6 Mafia, E-40, Eminem, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Future, or Migos - you can’t copyright flow. I’m talking about the style and method when our favorite artists deliver what makes them great. Sometimes it's smooth, off-kilter, emotional, monotone, melodic, conversational, sped up, slowed down, in triplets, rhythmic, metaphorical, and always versatile.
By definition, flow itself is described as a steady, continuous stream of something. In rap terms, “flow” refers to the rhythmic, melodic, and seamless cadence of lyrics over beats. Ultimately, this delivery illustrates how a rapper’s words become a connection point with the beat. There is no singular artist more important to birthing flow than the God MC,
Rakim. He is considered by many to be the beginning of the modern era of rap. In fact, another early rap pioneer known as Kool Moe Dee credits Rakim with inventing today’s more fluid and rhythmic idea of flow. While pioneers like Run D.M.C. and LL Cool J were leaning into energetic chants and shout styles of rapping in the early ‘80s, Rakim decided to zig while everyone else zagged.
Don’t get it twisted, Rakim was much more than just the jazz-influenced engineer of the cool, velvety smooth, and self-assured style of delivery - he single handedly pushed rap forward by creating more of a metaphorical dialect in the music with elite wordplay. The God MC brought complex internal rhyme schemes to the forefront of rap, pun intended, meaning that his bars weren’t delivered on the 4 or at the end of his lines. Instead, his rhymes often flashed in the middle of his lines. His multisyllabic approach allowed his stories to flow past a set of 4 bars with a smooth delivery that engaged listeners.
Sure, rap was popping and being recognized in the years prior, but the original God Flow descended upon us just 72 hours after Independence Day on July 7, 1987. Eric B.& Rakim’s “Paid in Full” did more than just flip the rap game on its head; it completely reimagined a genre in its infancy and set it on a course that would change music forever. The party shout raps were officially out, and in came Rakim’s laid back, conversational flows focused on elite lyricism, the 5-Percent Nation’s self-empowerment movement, and thoughtful social commentary. To me, the craziest part about his impact on rap is that he rarely cursed.
In a 2019 interview with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, Rakim told Charlamagne Tha God that his lack of cursing was inspired by his parents and not wanting to embarrass them with his work. He credits his entire musical background coming from their nuanced ears. According to Rakim, the urge and eventual reality of making his parents his biggest fans helped him dig deeper and not lean on cursing as a lyrical crutch. Instead, the God MC chose to shine the spotlight on upper echelon wordplay and intelligence every chance he got.
More than anything, a great flow has variation and is a lot like being water my friend, in the words of the great Bruce Lee. God flow is a feeling that isn’t tangible, but once any creative taps into whatever their flow state is you can bet that magic is bound to happen. I mean getting lost in time and even your own consciousness where everything feels so effortless, much like a long pull from a paper plane.
Flows in rap are akin to engines in our favorite cars. When the check engine light is on, even meanest the sports cars suddenly lose that unmatched growl. So, yeah, dope lyrics are great, but when that flow isn’t on I can assure you that everything is off. Whether you lean towards the golden era of hip-hop or modern rap, its essence lives and breathes within the space between rhythm and language.
These signature cadences and vibes expressed vocally display skill and identity much like fingerprints help define our DNA. The things that inspire these feelings are hard to pinpoint because all of our distinct life experiences and upbringings are unique. From songs we heard our parents play as children, to the dialect we heard in our regions, the shared cuisines and customs that tether communities, and even the emotions triggered by achievements and failures - it all contributes to the way we tell our stories.
AI is powerful and can be helpful, but there’s still that one elephant in the room that can never be truly tamed by machines. Sure, AI can produce any word or idea when prompted based on what it’s learned from us - but it lacks the physical instinct, context, comedic and rhythmic timing, personality, human experience, and feeling to tap into the flow state.
The most relatable and compelling art is typically built on soul-baring experiences, memories, and emotions that lead to self-discovery. The interpretation of these lived moments helps shape each of our unique perspectives on the world and what we’ve learned as a result. Inspiration from these human experiences creates urgency that sparks the flame where intention and creativity explode. The intention of lyrics and flows chosen by an artist allows their music to resonate with listeners and in turn creates more dialogue around the creation. You know when you hear a great bar or a great flow that makes you spin the track back or hit the group chat to see who felt the same way? You’ll typically get responses from the chat that can deepen your own perspective or help create an entirely new concept regarding the piece. That’s art.
We all know that great art isn’t always on the grid, meaning that much of its beauty lies in its imperfections. As imperfect beings, is there anything more relatable than being rough around the edges while telling a great story that evokes emotion? As human art fluctuates in how it interacts with the grid of perfection, the times and cultural climates that inspired it directly impact its messaging, emotion, and most importantly, intent.
While machine learning and artificial intelligence can analyze limitless amounts of existing works that allow it to generate responses to prompts based on recognized patterns, AI is incapable of critical or creative thinking. AI is also incapable of experiencing the triggers of emotion we call life. Unfortunately, this also means that AI won’t begin to understand the messaging behind its creations and how it impacts society. Of course, the next AI artist can live in the studio, happily be overworked and make money, but what does it all mean if so many of you and I don’t feel a thing?
Great artists and great flows bend rules on purpose. Great artists and great flows crack the idea of perfection on purpose. Great artists and great flows are inspired by life, not an algorithm. Humans are the reason why so many genres have been and will continue to be pushed to greater heights. So essentially, without a perspective of its own, how do we begin to respect AI’s point of view? I guess we’ll never know. You can protect ideas, but you can’t copyright flow.