How To Rap 101

2008-09-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

This post is by Sidz

It’s been said that rap is the biggest pillar holding up the poetic pedigree in this country. Metaphor, rhyme, punning and imagery of all varieties are common to both art forms, and it doesn’t take much of a stretch to consider them both simply “verse.” Rap, though, is generally performed with a musical slant, and takes several cues from hip hop and popular music as well.

Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy Steps

1 Step One Just start “flowing.” Rap is largely improvisational, so just start speaking in the vein of free association. It doesn’t matter what you’re saying, just let the words come forward to get a feel for the medium and keep going.

2 Step Two As you become more adept, work traditional poetic techniques into your rap. Use metaphors to compare things and rhyme to give your verse a musical quality. Puns and wordplay make your rap clever, but don’t forget it has to sound good, too. Remember: it’s music.

3 Step Three Practice, practice, practice. Rap as you walk or work. Always be rapping about what you’re doing and thinking. Write down clever rhymes or wordplays that occur to you during the day. Keep building on the foundation you laid.

4 Step Four Write a rap. Although rap started as improv, there’s no law that says you can’t write it down ahead of time, and doing so will allow for a much more intricate and well-layered lyric.

5 Step Five Have a rap battle. The ultimate test of your rapping abilities, and one of the fastest ways to hone your skills, is in competition with another rapper. Insults, clever jibes and lightning quick thinking are all elements in the rap battle, so practice with somebody of about your ability.

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R.I.P. Big L

Nas & Rakim Double Interview

2008-08-31T02:05:00.000-07:00

One is The God, and the other is God's Son. Watch these 2 most heralded Rap Immortals field questions pertaining their illustrious career in the game and their milestone records Paid In Full and Illmatic respectively. Already considered as Rap Icons, these two has also raised the Hip Hop Standards.

Yeah, Name ONE rapper that they didn't influenced.

Don't sweat the technique. Yo Ra...What's the deal with The Seventh Seal...?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

This is not a good year, but we'll soldier through...

2008-08-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

Thousand apologies for the delay yo!!!

Now if you motherfuckers wanna do this, then let's do this right.

Hell Razah-"Way Of Life" (Razah Code)

THE DAWN'S DOCTRINES

How To Rap 101

Nas & Rakim Double Interview

This is not a good year, but we'll soldier through...