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

by Paul Edwards, Kool G Rap (Foreword by)

Overview

Clipse, Cypress Hill, Nelly, Public Enemy, Remy Ma, Schoolly D, A Tribe Called Quest, will.i.am—these are just some of the acclaimed artists offering tips and advice in this compelling how-to. Delivering countless candid and exclusive first-person insights from interviews with more than one hundred of the most innovative artists, author Paul Edwards examines the dynamics of rap from every region and in every form—mainstream and underground, current and classic—and covers everything from content and flow to rhythm and delivery. A first-of-its-kind guide, How to Rap provides a wealth of insight and rapping lore that will benefit beginners and pros alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556528163
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	12/01/2009
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	139,554
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

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 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

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

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 OtherShort-Term Collaborations 220

Ghostwriting 227

Producer Writing Input 231

Part IV Delivery

12 Vocal Techniques 239

Breath Control 239

Enunciation 244

Vocal Style 246

Taking Care ofYour 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, DL or Group 303

Learning from Other Artists' Performances 305

Rehearsing 305

Final Words 311

Interviewed Artists 315

Index 335

Editorial Reviews

"How useful, amid the rain-forest-worrying deluge of books written on hip-hop theory and culture, that Paul Edwards has taken a straightforward, reasoned and informed approach to discussing the actual mechanics of rapping. How To Rap looks at that art form by unknotting its components—content, style, delivery and, most intriguingly, its spatial alliance with music and beats—and uses practical examples for context and analysis. Aspiring MCs will benefit most, but there are insights and observations that will appeal to anyone with an interest in hip-hop’s development."  —Alex Ogg, author, The Hip Hop Years, The Men Behind Def Jam, Rap Lyrics

"A clever breakdown of the art form of hip-hop rhymes, for anyone who is into the art of incredible raps. It's about time someone actually recognized this powerful music for its artistic ingenuity."  —Speech, Arrested Development

"A complete guide to the art and craft of the MC, anyone who's serious about becoming a rapper should read this first. Proof positive that rap is more than just talking over music - a vital and vibrant expose of a much misunderstood art form."  —Hip-Hop Connection

"If only this book had existed back in the day, I might not have become a university professor. For now, though, I'll have to settle for hanging out with my academic pals Eazy A, Chuck Ph.D., and Dr. GRE—and curling up with a copy of How To Rap. Watch out world, this crazy ass-prof [associate professor] is coming straight outta college."  —Kembrew McLeod, professor, critic (Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, Spin, Mojo), author (Freedom of Expression®), documentary filmmaker

"Want to be a true emcee? Then pick up this book before picking up a microphone. Never before has the artform been broken down so well."  —dubcnn.com  (no. 1 news and interview site for West Coast hip-hop, including regular interviews with major rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube)

"Paul Edwards's new book How to Rap brings a fresh approach to hip-hop lyricism that's remarkable for its depth of practical detail.  What's in a namecheck? What are the pros and cons of certain metrical or rhetorical forms?  What are the most common structures in hip-hop's history? With numerous examples and analyses of the hip-hop greats of the past, Edwards offers both an immensely practical introduction for would-be rappers, as well as the first detailed poetics of 'the pulse of the rhyme flow' in hip-hop. This is a foundational text."  —Russell Potter, Ph.D., author of Spectacular Vernaculars


"How to Rap is an excellent, revealing read on the insights to the technical workings of rap music. I had no idea what I did was so scientific and complicated or the literary value of it. As a scholar and an educator, I highly recommend this book to any rap fans or people interested in the technical aspects of music and poetry."  —Mighty Casey, popular underground rapper

“A must-have guide for anyone who ever wanted to understand the blood, sweat, and tears that can go into the art of MCing. The book lets those in the dark understand the craft of MCing as close as possible.”  —DJ Rasta Root, Smokin' Needles Records (DJs and produces for the likes of A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg, with whom he runs Smokin' Needles Records)

From the Publisher