Well said, EJ. Unfortunately, hip hop has been misaligned due to mass media, but to appreciate it as an art form is to also appreciate words and flow of words. When you hear a good MC, you can have awesome pictures in your mind from how they enunciate a word and the context they use it in.

Metaphors, character, stories, etc... are all part of decent hip hop and the Gorillaz have used awesome lyrical masters like Deltron 3000 and De La Soul as well as other great artists (from a variety of genres) intertwined with Albarn's vision to create new styles and sounds for thirsty ears.