Poetaster

Poetaster, like rhymester or versifier, is a derogatory term applied to bad or inferior poets. Specifically, poetaster has implications of unwarranted pretentions to artistic value. The word was coined in Latin by Erasmus in 1521. It was first used in English by Ben Jonson in his 1600 play Cynthia's Revels; immediately afterwards Jonson chose it as the title of his 1601 play The Poetaster. In that play the "poetaster" character is a satire on John Marston, one of Jonson's rivals in the Poetomachia or War of the Theatres.

Usage

While poetaster has always been a negative appraisal of a poet's skills, rhymester (or rhymer) and versifier have held ambiguous meanings depending on the commentator’s opinion of a writer's verse. Versifier is often used to refer to someone who produces work in verse with the implication that while technically able to make lines rhyme they have no real talent for poetry. Rhymer on the other hand is usually impolite despite attempts to salvage the reputation of rhymers such as the Rhymers' Club and Rhymer being a common last name.

Rhymester (group)

Rhymester (ライムスター, Raimu Sutā) is a Japanese hip hop group consisting of MCs Mummy-D and Utamaru, and DJ Jin.

History

The group is one of the oldest Japanese hip hop acts, having formed in 1989. They debuted on an independent label in 1993 with the EP Ore ni Iwaserya (俺に言わせりゃ), which was panned by critics. Later on, they released several studio albums and gradually became popular among not only hip hop fans but also rock fans, as they frequently collaborated with rock musicians such as Kiyoshiro Imawano. In 2001, the group made their major label debut when they signed onto Ki/oon Records, a sublabel of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. On March 3, 2007, the group performed solo at the Nippon Budokan, almost 20 years after their original debut.

The single HEAT ISLAND featuring FIRE BALL was featured in the anime series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales. Rhymester has released several songs such as "B-Boyism" (B-BOYイズム), "Mimi wo Kasubeki" (耳ヲ貸スベキ), "King Of Stage", "Nikutai-Kankei" (肉体関係) and more.