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

353 Pages·2009·3.5 MB·English

by  Paul Edwards

MUSIC
“A clever breakdown of the art form of hip-hop rhymes for anyone who is into
the art of incredible raps.” —SPEECH, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
“A must-have guide for anyone who ever wanted to understand the blood,
sweat, and tears that can go into the art of MCing.”
—DJ RASTA ROOT, PRODUCER, SMOKIN NEEDLES RECORDS
“If you rhyme, sing, or produce, read this book to improve your craftsmanship
and to open up your mind.” —JUMP OFF TV, BROADCASTER OF WORLD
RAP CHAMPIONSHIPS
“A complete guide to the art and craft of the MC; anyone who’s serious about
becoming a rapper should read this first.” —HIP-HOP CONNECTION MAGAZINE
“An excellent, revealing read.…I highly recommend this book to any rap fans or
people interested in the technical aspects of music and poetry.”
—MIGHTY CASEY, UNDERGROUND RAPPER
“Clear, coherent, and organized…full of useful examples and concise explanations.
An invaluable tool for young upstarts and seasoned pros alike!”
—JAMIE COLLINSON, LABEL MANAGER, BIG DADA RECORDINGS
“Even MCs with a natural talent will find this book extremely insightful. Anyone
thinking about becoming a rapper would do well to read it cover to cover.”
—MIKE LEWIS, GENERAL MANAGER, LEWIS RECORDINGS
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, CLIPSE, CYPRESS HILL,
NELLY, PUBLIC ENEMY, REMY MA, SCHOOLLY D,
WILL.I.AM—these are just some of the acclaimed artists offering tips
and advice in this compelling how-to guide. Delivering countless candid
and exclusive first-person insights from interviews with more than 100 of
the most innovative artists, HOW TO RAP examines the dynamics of hip-
hop from every region and in every form—mainstream and underground,
current and classic—and covers everything from rhythm and rhyme to
content and delivery. This first-of-its-kind collection provides a wealth
of insight and rapping lore that will benefit beginners and pros alike.

PAUL EDWARDS holds a master’s degree in postmodernism, literature, and contemporary
culture from the 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.
$12.95 (CAN $13.95)
ISBN 978-1-55652-816-3
51295
9781556 528163
How to Rap_CS2_mech.indd 1 9/25/09 11:37:07 AM
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 1 9/25/09 12:44:20 PM
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Edwards, Paul, 1982–
How to rap : the art and science of the hip-hop MC / Paul Edwards.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-55652-816-3
1. Lyric writing (Popular music) 2. Rap (Music)—Instruction and study. I. Title.
MT67.E38 2009
782.421649'143—dc22
2009026892
Cover design: Philip Pascuzzo
Cover photograph: Q-Tip, by Trevor Traynor
Interior design: Jonathan Hahn
© 2009 by Paul Edwards
All rights reserved
Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
ISBN 978-1-55652-816-3
Printed in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 2 9/25/09 12:44:22 PM
Contents

Foreword by Kool G Rap vii
Introduction ix
Part I: Content
1 Content Topics 3
Real-Life Content 5
Fictional Content 9
Controversial Content 10
Conscious Content 14
Club/Party Content 19

2 Content Forms 23
Braggadocio/Battling Form 25
Conceptual Form 30
Story Form 34
Abstract Form 37
Humorous Form 38
3 Content Tools 41
Imagery 42
Similes, Metaphors, and Analogies 44
Slang 47
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 3 9/25/09 12:44:22 PM
Vocabulary 50
Wordplay 56
Punch Lines 58
Part II: Flow
4 How Flow Works 63
The Flow Diagram 67
Beats and Bars 68
Syllables and Stressed Syllables 70
Fitting the Lyrics to the Beat 71
Rests 73
Overlapping Bars 75
How Is the Flow Diagram Useful? 76
More Examples 78
5 Rhyme 81
Perfect Rhyme 82
Assonance (Vowel Sound Rhyme) 84
Alliteration and Consonance 86
Compound Rhymes (Multisyllable Rhymes) 87
Coming Up with Rhymes 92
6 Rhyme Schemes 95
Types of Rhyme Scheme 99
Extra Rhymes 103
Number of Rhymes in a Bar 104
Rhyme Placement 107

7 Rhythm 111
Coming Up with Rhythms 113
The Pattern Diagram 116
Patterns of Rhythms 118
Rests 127
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 4 9/25/09 12:44:22 PM
Part III: Writing
8 The Writing Process 133
Research 134
Ways of Writing Lyrics 139
Places to Write 152
Times to Write 156
How Long Does It Take? 157
Writing in One Go or in Pieces 162
Keeping or Changing the Process 165
9 Beats and Freestyling 167
Writing With or Without the Beat 167
Picking Beats 174
Rapping and Producing 177
Freestyling 181

10 Structuring, Editing, and Selecting Lyrics 185
Song Structure 185
Editing Lyrics 197
Selecting Which Lyrics to Use 201
Selecting Singles 204

11 Writing with Other People 211
Writing in a Group 213
Guest Verses and Other Short-Term Collaborations 220
Ghostwriting 227
Producer Writing Input 231

Part IV: Delivery
12 Vocal Techniques 239
Breath Control 239
Enunciation 244
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 5 9/25/09 12:44:22 PM
Vocal Style 246
Taking Care of Your Voice 260
13 In the Studio 263
Reading or Memorizing the Lyrics 264
Practicing the Vocals 269
Deciding Where to Breathe 271
Guide Vocals 273
Recording over Several Takes or in One Take 274
Number of Takes 280
Doubling Up and Ad-Libs 282
Further Editing the Lyrics 283
Producer Vocal Direction 285
14 Performing Live 289
Confidence and Showmanship 293
Using the Mic and PA System 294
Rocking the Crowd 295
Being Spontaneous, Improvising, and Freestyling 300
Adding Something Extra 302
Working with a Hype Man, DJ, or Group 303
Learning from Other Artists’ Performances 305
Rehearsing 305

Final Words 311
Interviewed Artists 315
Index 335
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 6 9/25/09 12:44:23 PM
Foreword
I started to learn how to rap just watching the older dudes do it
in the park. I had to be about 9, 10 years old when I first started
hearing hip-hop music being played out in the parks, out in the
neighborhoods. I saw the DJ on the two turntables scratching,
and I saw dudes on the microphone just really keeping the party
amped and charged up—just being masters of ceremony, where
the word “MC” comes from, just keeping the party alive.
When I first heard some of them spitting back then, as a kid, I
was just fascinated by it. I started repeating what I would hear the
older guys saying, and that was my first brush with just beginning
to learn how to rap.
Being from the era that I’m from, you had to really stand your
ground as far as this lyric shit, and that’s why that era bred rappers
like a Big Daddy Kane, a KRS-One, a Rakim, a Chuck D. . . . These
dudes, they moved you—they moved you from the soul. Their rap-
ping capability and ability—these dudes were phenomenal.
I’m a student of the Grandmaster Caz’s, the Melle Mels, the Kool
Moe Dees, Silver Fox from Fantasy 3, and a lot of others, so when
people took to me, they were really taking to a part of each of those
rappers, because that’s where G Rap was branded from. These
were the dudes that influenced G Rap to rap the way he raps or
to even just have the motivation to want to stand out from every-
body else and not only be different but be the best at what I do—it
was inspired by those rappers.
vii
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 7 9/25/09 12:44:23 PM
viii Foreword
So I think you definitely have to study some of the people that
are considered to be legends, and great lyricists, and great rap-
pers—study and do your homework and brush up on your history.
You gotta know what it is to be a great MC in order to do it—you
gotta hear it, you gotta feel it.
Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap is a legendary MC whose complex rhyme style and vivid
street imagery have influenced a whole generation of MCs. From
Eminem showing his respect to G Rap in his Grammy acceptance
speech to Jay-Z citing G Rap’s greatness in his song “Encore” (“hear-
ing me rap is like hearing G Rap in his prime”) to being named as
a major influence by the majority of the rappers interviewed for
this book, Kool G Rap’s standing as one of the most influential and
skilled MCs of all time is indisputable.
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 8 9/25/09 12:44:23 PM
Introduction
Always continue to learn—reading is a great way to intake
information—and never think you’re the best. You always
have something to learn from someone.
≤ MURS ≥
How to Rap teaches you the art and science of MCing through
the words and lyrics of some of the most influential and respected
MCs of all time, from all areas of hip-hop. Over a hundred MCs
were interviewed exclusively for this book, including pioneers
and contemporary MCs, mainstream and underground rappers
(there is a complete list of all the interviewed artists on p. 315). As
many different types of artists as possible were included, to draw
on their individual strengths—explaining everything from writing
deep political lyrics to crafting chart-topping choruses.
All the techniques, methods, and suggestions come directly
from the artists themselves, so that you can learn in the same way
that all rappers have learned—from other rappers. As Tech N9ne
says, “Study MCs, see what they do, then make your own—that’s
how everybody started.” All the artists interviewed for How to Rap
told a similar story of how they learned their craft by listening to
other MCs, analyzing those artists’ work, and constantly expand-
ing their range of skills.
ix
How to Rap_FINAL.indd 9 9/25/09 12:44:24 PM