Difference between revisions of "Write Lyrics to a Rap or Hip Hop Song"
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#Come up with the "story" of your lyrics. You don't have to tell an actual story, though story-raps have been popular since the birth of hip-hop (Immortal Technique's "Dance with the Devil," most Ghostface Killah songs). Telling a story just means your song or verse has a beginning, middle, and end. You want to take the listener on a journey, even if it is just a journey about how great and steezy you are. | #Come up with the "story" of your lyrics. You don't have to tell an actual story, though story-raps have been popular since the birth of hip-hop (Immortal Technique's "Dance with the Devil," most Ghostface Killah songs). Telling a story just means your song or verse has a beginning, middle, and end. You want to take the listener on a journey, even if it is just a journey about how great and steezy you are. | ||
#*Some rappers write out their songs as paragraphs first, then write the songs and rhymes to follow the general structure. | #*Some rappers write out their songs as paragraphs first, then write the songs and rhymes to follow the general structure. | ||
| − | #*Having a structure to your song helps you build a coherent idea out. For example, your best point of biggest rhyme wouldn't come at the very beginning of a song, it would come near the end, like the climax of a good movie. This will help you engage and hold listeners.<ref>http://www.musicindustryhowto.com/how-to-write-better-rap-lyrics-5-big-tips/</ref> | + | #*Having a structure to your song helps you build a coherent idea out. For example, your best point of biggest rhyme wouldn't come at the very beginning of a song, it would come near the end, like the climax of a good movie. This will help you engage and hold listeners.<ref name="rf1">http://www.musicindustryhowto.com/how-to-write-better-rap-lyrics-5-big-tips/</ref> |
#*At the very least, try and end your song on a different place than where you started. This is why even "material rap" about gold and girls often starts by mentioning how little the rapper had when they first started working. | #*At the very least, try and end your song on a different place than where you started. This is why even "material rap" about gold and girls often starts by mentioning how little the rapper had when they first started working. | ||
#Get to know your beat. Make sure that the beat you choose is one you're comfortable with. For example, if you can't rap very fast, you may not want to choose a fast beat, as you won't be able to rap over it without losing your breath or stuttering. Listen to the beat 4-5 times to get comfortable with the rhythm and the mood of the song. Get a feel for the speed and energy of the song as well as the mood. | #Get to know your beat. Make sure that the beat you choose is one you're comfortable with. For example, if you can't rap very fast, you may not want to choose a fast beat, as you won't be able to rap over it without losing your breath or stuttering. Listen to the beat 4-5 times to get comfortable with the rhythm and the mood of the song. Get a feel for the speed and energy of the song as well as the mood. | ||
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===Writing Great Rhymes=== | ===Writing Great Rhymes=== | ||
| − | #Figure out how many bars you have to rap on. A bar is simply one line of your song. Most raps are built out of 16 or 32 bar verses though they can be as short as 8 or 12 bars as well. If you're writing the whole song yourself you might have 2-3 verses and a hook. You might also have a short 8-10 bar bridge, which is a short verse with a slightly different beat or structure.<ref>http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/article-05-writing-16-bar-verse.html</ref> | + | #Figure out how many bars you have to rap on. A bar is simply one line of your song. Most raps are built out of 16 or 32 bar verses though they can be as short as 8 or 12 bars as well. If you're writing the whole song yourself you might have 2-3 verses and a hook. You might also have a short 8-10 bar bridge, which is a short verse with a slightly different beat or structure.<ref name="rf2">http://www.thestateofhiphop.com/article-05-writing-16-bar-verse.html</ref> |
#*You can write your rap without knowing the bars as well. Simply write until you feel like your verse is finished, then edit the beat to fit the desired length. | #*You can write your rap without knowing the bars as well. Simply write until you feel like your verse is finished, then edit the beat to fit the desired length. | ||
#Understand rhyme inside and out. Raps are written around rhymes. Rhyme connects to lines so that they flow smoothly together, pulling the listener through the song. While all lines of your rap don't need to rhyme, and probably should not, you need to have a firm grasp of rhyme techniques to become a rapper. Luckily, this doesn't require any studying, just an ear for what sounds good to you. Still, it can help to know the different types of rhyme common in rap: | #Understand rhyme inside and out. Raps are written around rhymes. Rhyme connects to lines so that they flow smoothly together, pulling the listener through the song. While all lines of your rap don't need to rhyme, and probably should not, you need to have a firm grasp of rhyme techniques to become a rapper. Luckily, this doesn't require any studying, just an ear for what sounds good to you. Still, it can help to know the different types of rhyme common in rap: | ||
#*'''Simple Rhyme:''' When the last syllables of two lines rhyme, like "Can" and "man." This is the most common and basic form of rhyme. | #*'''Simple Rhyme:''' When the last syllables of two lines rhyme, like "Can" and "man." This is the most common and basic form of rhyme. | ||
#*'''Multi-syllabic rhyme:''' One of the best ways to show your lyrical skills is to rhyme multiple syllables at once. This can stretch across multiple words as well, such as Big Daddy Kane in "One Day:" "Ain’t no need for wondering '''who’s''' the '''man'''/ Staying looking right always an ex'''clus'''ive '''brand.'''" | #*'''Multi-syllabic rhyme:''' One of the best ways to show your lyrical skills is to rhyme multiple syllables at once. This can stretch across multiple words as well, such as Big Daddy Kane in "One Day:" "Ain’t no need for wondering '''who’s''' the '''man'''/ Staying looking right always an ex'''clus'''ive '''brand.'''" | ||
| − | #*'''Slant Rhyme:''' Rhyming too closely related, but technically non-rhyming, words. Usually, they have a common vowel sound. This is incredibly common in rap, because how you say/sing the words can make them sound much more similar. Examples include "Nose" and "go," or "orange" and "porridge."<ref>http://genius.com/posts/24-Rap-genius-university-rhyme-types</ref> | + | #*'''Slant Rhyme:''' Rhyming too closely related, but technically non-rhyming, words. Usually, they have a common vowel sound. This is incredibly common in rap, because how you say/sing the words can make them sound much more similar. Examples include "Nose" and "go," or "orange" and "porridge."<ref name="rf3">http://genius.com/posts/24-Rap-genius-university-rhyme-types</ref> |
| − | #*'''Internal Rhyme (In-Rhyme):''' Rhyming words that do not come at the end of a line but in the middle of it. For example, Madvillains' "Rhinestone Cowboy:" "Made of '''fine''' chrome alloy / find him on the '''grind''' he's a '''rhine'''stone cowboy."<ref>https://www.flocabulary.com/multies/</ref> | + | #*'''Internal Rhyme (In-Rhyme):''' Rhyming words that do not come at the end of a line but in the middle of it. For example, Madvillains' "Rhinestone Cowboy:" "Made of '''fine''' chrome alloy / find him on the '''grind''' he's a '''rhine'''stone cowboy."<ref name="rf4">https://www.flocabulary.com/multies/</ref> |
#Write "punchline raps" in reverse. Punchlines are the big lines, jokes, or rhymes that elevate the song from good to great. There are thousands of great examples, but they are mostly a matter of personal preference. To write them, try to think of the punchline first then build the rhyming lines around it. | #Write "punchline raps" in reverse. Punchlines are the big lines, jokes, or rhymes that elevate the song from good to great. There are thousands of great examples, but they are mostly a matter of personal preference. To write them, try to think of the punchline first then build the rhyming lines around it. | ||
#*If your punchline is "I'm stepping over competition, so expect to be trampled," you might try to write a line leading into it that ends with a word rhyming with "trampled." For example, "They see me in the booth so they know they should scramble/ I'm steppin' over competition so expect to be trampled"). | #*If your punchline is "I'm stepping over competition, so expect to be trampled," you might try to write a line leading into it that ends with a word rhyming with "trampled." For example, "They see me in the booth so they know they should scramble/ I'm steppin' over competition so expect to be trampled"). | ||
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#Learn poetic techniques to up your game. Rap is poetry -- using words, sounds, and rhymes to create beautiful art and ideas. As such, it is no surprise that the best rappers have taken inspiration from the best poets. Eminem, for example, famously used Shakespearean meter and rhyme in many of his famous songs. Other examples include: | #Learn poetic techniques to up your game. Rap is poetry -- using words, sounds, and rhymes to create beautiful art and ideas. As such, it is no surprise that the best rappers have taken inspiration from the best poets. Eminem, for example, famously used Shakespearean meter and rhyme in many of his famous songs. Other examples include: | ||
#*'''Alliteration/Assonance:''' Words with similar sounds that are placed close together, like "Two tip-top teachers" or "apple attitudes." Listen to Joey Bada$$'s "Waves" for a great example. | #*'''Alliteration/Assonance:''' Words with similar sounds that are placed close together, like "Two tip-top teachers" or "apple attitudes." Listen to Joey Bada$$'s "Waves" for a great example. | ||
| − | #*'''Simile/Metaphor:''' Closely connected, this is when writers compare two objects that aren't usually alike to make a point. For example -- "I put the metal to his chest like Robocop" works on multiple levels, bullets are made of metal, Robocop's chest is covered in metal armor, and the biggest target when shooting someone is their chest. This is a much more poetic way to imply "I might shoot him."<ref>https://www.platinumloops.com/how-to-rap-part-4-writing-great-rap-lyrics/</ref> | + | #*'''Simile/Metaphor:''' Closely connected, this is when writers compare two objects that aren't usually alike to make a point. For example -- "I put the metal to his chest like Robocop" works on multiple levels, bullets are made of metal, Robocop's chest is covered in metal armor, and the biggest target when shooting someone is their chest. This is a much more poetic way to imply "I might shoot him."<ref name="rf5">https://www.platinumloops.com/how-to-rap-part-4-writing-great-rap-lyrics/</ref> |
#*'''Refrain:''' A line that is repeated at various points for emphasis. The more you hear the line, the more it changes, evolves, and gains power. For a master class in how to use a refrain, see Kendrick Lamar's "The Blacker the Berry." | #*'''Refrain:''' A line that is repeated at various points for emphasis. The more you hear the line, the more it changes, evolves, and gains power. For a master class in how to use a refrain, see Kendrick Lamar's "The Blacker the Berry." | ||
| − | #*'''Anaphora:''' When the first half of a line repeats, but the rest of the line changes, like in Eminem's "If I Had" where ever line begins with "Tired of...." This is a great way to show how difficult, constant, or trying something may be, or overwhelm the listener intentionally.<ref | + | #*'''Anaphora:''' When the first half of a line repeats, but the rest of the line changes, like in Eminem's "If I Had" where ever line begins with "Tired of...." This is a great way to show how difficult, constant, or trying something may be, or overwhelm the listener intentionally.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Use specific imagery in your lyrics. Great imagery puts visuals behind the listeners' eyes, engaging multiple senses to create complex, engaging raps. The best rappers all conjure images up in your mind, telling stories and making their lyrics come alive. To do this, focus on being specific-- use adjectives and adverbs to make the images your own. | #Use specific imagery in your lyrics. Great imagery puts visuals behind the listeners' eyes, engaging multiple senses to create complex, engaging raps. The best rappers all conjure images up in your mind, telling stories and making their lyrics come alive. To do this, focus on being specific-- use adjectives and adverbs to make the images your own. | ||
#*This doesn't have to be purely visual imagery. Action Bronson uses foods and scents in his raps to give them an entirely new dimension. | #*This doesn't have to be purely visual imagery. Action Bronson uses foods and scents in his raps to give them an entirely new dimension. | ||
#*The kings of imagery, Andre 3000, Ghostface Killah, Eminem, etc. are often those rappers that gain the greatest followings. | #*The kings of imagery, Andre 3000, Ghostface Killah, Eminem, etc. are often those rappers that gain the greatest followings. | ||
#Work on the flow, or delivery, of your lines so that they work together to tell your story. Good lines become great lines with good flow. Flow is how you deliver the words in relation to the beat. Are you slow, holding back, or are you attacking the beat with speed and intensity. Do you waver up and down, picking up and slowing down depending on the line? Flow takes practice and patience, so put a beat on and practice. | #Work on the flow, or delivery, of your lines so that they work together to tell your story. Good lines become great lines with good flow. Flow is how you deliver the words in relation to the beat. Are you slow, holding back, or are you attacking the beat with speed and intensity. Do you waver up and down, picking up and slowing down depending on the line? Flow takes practice and patience, so put a beat on and practice. | ||
| − | #*You don't have to have the same flow throughout the whole song. Nas's incredibly "NY State of Mind" flows like a great jazz solo -- stopping, starting, pausing and pushing forward around the incredible rhymes.<ref>http://genius.com/Nas-ny-state-of-mind-lyrics/</ref> | + | #*You don't have to have the same flow throughout the whole song. Nas's incredibly "NY State of Mind" flows like a great jazz solo -- stopping, starting, pausing and pushing forward around the incredible rhymes.<ref name="rf6">http://genius.com/Nas-ny-state-of-mind-lyrics/</ref> |
#Read the great rappers for inspiration. Much like a burgeoning writer needs to study the best poets, a growing rapper needs to read to the best. Reading a rap lets you see it on the page, much like the rapper when they wrote the lyrics. This will help you comprehend rhyme schemes and little tricks. Sites like RapGenius, for example, even have annotated lyrics that explain metaphors, rhymes, and references. Listen to what you enjoy, but a small selection of essential verses (in addition to the other songs referenced in the article) to start with includes: | #Read the great rappers for inspiration. Much like a burgeoning writer needs to study the best poets, a growing rapper needs to read to the best. Reading a rap lets you see it on the page, much like the rapper when they wrote the lyrics. This will help you comprehend rhyme schemes and little tricks. Sites like RapGenius, for example, even have annotated lyrics that explain metaphors, rhymes, and references. Listen to what you enjoy, but a small selection of essential verses (in addition to the other songs referenced in the article) to start with includes: | ||
#*AZ's, first verse on "Life's a B---", off of Nas's album ''Illmatic.'' | #*AZ's, first verse on "Life's a B---", off of Nas's album ''Illmatic.'' | ||
