How to Rap The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC

by Edwards, Paul; Rap, Kool G

• ISBN13: 9781556528163
• ISBN10: 1556528167
• Edition: Original
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-01
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Summary

Examining the dynamics of hip-hop from every region and in every formmainstream and underground, current and classicthis compelling how-to discusses everything from content and flow to rhythm and delivery in relation to the art and craft of rap. Compiled from the most extensive research on rapping to date, this first-of-its-kind guide delivers countless candid and exclusive insights from more than 100 of the most critically acclaimed artists in hip-hopincluding Clipse, Cypress Hill, Nelly, Public Enemy, Remy Ma, Schoolly D, A Tribe Called Quest, and will.i.amunraveling the stories behind their art and preserving a wealth of the genre's history through the words of the legends themselves. Exhaustively detailing the many complex aspects of rappingsuch as utilizing literary tools and devices to strengthen content, battling, imagery, similes, metaphors, analogies, slang, performing both live and in the studio, word play, controversial content and punchlines, and constructing beats, singles, and freestylingwith emphasis on enunciating and breathing for unique vocal style, this remarkable book will benefit beginners and pros alike with its limitless wealth of rapping lore and insight.

Author Biography

Paul Edwards holds a master’s degree in postmodernism, literature, and contemporary culture from University of London and has done extensive research on rappers and their creative processes, musical theories, and lyrics. Kool G Rap is one of the most influential MCs of all time, with Eminem, Jay-Z, Big Pun, R.A. the Rugged Man, and many others citing him among their influences. Frequently on “greatest MCs of all time” lists, he has appeared on tracks with numerous artists, including Eminem, Nas, AZ, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Big L, Ghostface Killah, and Canibus.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Introduction	p. ix
Content
Content Topics	p. 3
Real-Life Content	p. 5
Fictional Content	p. 9
Controversial Content	p. 10
Conscious Content	p. 14
Club/Party Content	p. 19
Content Forms	p. 23
Braggadocio/Battling Form	p. 25
Conceptual Form	p. 30
Story Form	p. 34
Abstract Form	p. 37
Humorous Form	p. 38
Content Tools	p. 41
Imagery	p. 42
Similes, Metaphors, and Analogies	p. 44
Slang	p. 47
Vocabulary	p. 50
Wordplay	p. 56
Punch Lines	p. 58
Flow
How Flow Works	p. 63
The Flow Diagram	p. 67
Beats and Bars	p. 68
Syllables and Stressed Syllables	p. 70
Fitting the Lyrics to the Beat	p. 71
Rests	p. 73
Overlapping Bars	p. 75
How Is the Flow Diagram Useful?	p. 76
More Examples	p. 78
Rhyme	p. 81
Perfect Rhyme	p. 82
Assonance (Vowel Sound Rhyme)	p. 84
Alliteration and Consonance	p. 86
Compound Rhymes (Multisyllable Rhymes)	p. 87
Coming Up with Rhymes	p. 92
Rhyme Schemes	p. 95
Types of Rhyme Scheme	p. 99
Extra Rhymes	p. 103
Number of Rhymes in a Bar	p. 104
Rhyme Placement	p. 107
Rhythm	p. 111
Coming Up with Rhythms	p. 113
The Pattern Diagram	p. 116
Patterns of Rhythms	p. 118
Rests	p. 127
Writing
The Writing Process	p. 133
Research	p. 134
Ways of Writing Lyrics	p. 139
Places to Write	p. 152
Times to Write	p. 156
How Long Does It Take?	p. 157
Writing in One Go or in Pieces	p. 162
Keeping or Changing the Process	p. 165
Beats and Freestyling	p. 167
Writing With or Without the Beat	p. 167
Picking Beats	p. 174
Rapping and Producing	p. 177
Freestyling	p. 181
Structuring, Editing, and Selecting Lyrics	p. 185
Song Structure	p. 185
Editing Lyrics	p. 197
Selecting Which Lyrics to Use	p. 201
Selecting Singles	p. 204
Writing with Other People	p. 211
Writing in a Group	p. 213
Guest Verses and Other Short-Term Collaborations	p. 220
Ghostwriting	p. 227
Producer Writing Input	p. 231
Delivery
Vocal Techniques	p. 239
Breath Control	p. 239
Enunciation	p. 244
Vocal Style	p. 246
Taking Care ofYour Voice	p. 260
In the Studio	p. 263
Reading or Memorizing the Lyrics	p. 264
Practicing the Vocals	p. 269
Deciding Where to Breathe	p. 271
Guide Vocals	p. 273
Recording over Several Takes or in One Take	p. 274
Number of Takes	p. 280
Doubling Up and Ad-Libs	p. 282
Further Editing the Lyrics	p. 283
Producer Vocal Direction	p. 285
Performing Live	p. 289
Confidence and Showmanship	p. 293
Using the Mic and PA System	p. 294
Rocking the Crowd	p. 295
Being Spontaneous, Improvising, and Freestyling	p. 300
Adding Something Extra	p. 302
Working with a Hype Man, DL or Group	p. 303
Learning from Other Artists' Performances	p. 305
Rehearsing	p. 305
Final Words	p. 311
Interviewed Artists	p. 315
Index	p. 335
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