While each artist can accomplish the same thing in a completely different process, having a foundation to work with is useful if you have difficulty writing your own music. To write a rap song, follow these instructions.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Writing the Text
Step 1. Jot down ideas
As you listen to a repeating beat, freely associate ideas (or even freestyle out loud) to get your creativity moving. Do this before you touch pen and paper. When you're ready, make a list of every concept, particular point of view, or potential text that came to your mind. Use it to guide and inspire you on the content of your song as you go along.
Let your ideas rest for a while. Bring a notebook or tablet with you, so in case of sudden inspiration while on the bus, at work, at the grocery store, you can seize the moment and maybe work on the rhymes you wrote in the future and develop them
Step 2. Write the hook
If you were doing a written test, you would start with a thesis. But this is a rap song, so it starts with a catchy tune, usually the chorus. The chorus shouldn't just capture the theme of the song, but more importantly, be catchy and unique. A great chorus will often inspire other elements of the song such as the rhythm or other words for the lyrics, so don't settle for anything that doesn't suggest other ideas.
If you can't think of anything, get inspired or respond to a verse you like from another rap song. Just be careful not to copy anything in full, or you may find yourself in trouble with the law. "Drop it like it's hot" was originally a verse from an early 2000s Hot Boys single, but Snoop Dogg made it a smash hit several years later
Step 3. Write the rap text
Choose points from your brainstorming list that inspire you and develop them. Of course, this is where you will need to show your talent as a songwriter. If you are an experienced rapper, take advantage of your strengths. If metaphors are good for you, use them in your lyrics. If you have a natural knack for telling stories, describe one in your own words.
Don't complicate things for yourself. The biggest mistake you can make when you start writing lyrics is wanting to say something, and forcing abstract concepts into your verses. Be specific. Use concrete words, phrases, and images to keep the overall idea in the background
Step 4. Be credible
While some people have the "I can rap whatever I want!" Attitude, it's best to avoid rap about your drug empire if you're a teenager living with mom. Also, remember that just because popular rappers write about certain topics, it doesn't determine the quality of your rap. The Beastie Boys wrote rap about faste and skateboarding in a talented, unique and creative way, and they were successful even if they did not deal with the traditional topics of rap and did not fit into the traditional image of the rapper.
If you really want to rap about something that doesn't belong to you, make sure you do it with irony. He exaggerates a lot. Don't do it often, and not in serious songs, but it can be fun. Be creative
Step 5. Review and edit
Unless you're a world-class rapper who can write masterpieces every time you put your pen to paper, the first draft of a song won't necessarily be the best. It's not a problem. The first version of Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" was 20 pages long and it was terrible. When you write, don't hold back, but then modify your work, turning it into a series of verses suitable for a song.
- Focus on the best verses and images, and cut out any that don't agree with the theme, tone, or story. If you can't decide what works and what doesn't, try rewriting the song from memory, without looking at your notes. This will serve as a filter - you will not be able to remember the less successful parts and you will have to find better material to fill in the blanks.
- A typical song will have 2-3 stanzas of 16-20 bars and 3-4 chorus sections with a varying number of stanzas. Try to get a structure similar to this.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Beat
Step 1. Choose an already composed beat
In almost all types of composition, the melody precedes the text. In most cases, even rappers find a beat and learn about the melody before trying to write a text. Even though rappers have a lot of rhymes in their notebooks to draw from, writing a song requires a beat to sing to. With this method you will be sure that the song does not sound forced and that the music is in accord with the words.
- Find a beats manufacturer on the internet and listen to many to find one you like. Request particular sounds or styles from a producer to get an original track. If you like samurai samples and references to classic comics like the Wu-Tang Clan, send samples to the producer.
- Even if you have a general idea of what you want the final song to be like, try at least three possible beats before picking one. Combining content, words and music is a complex operation. Do not rush.
Step 2. Consider composing your own beats
You can do this on your computer or with your instruments, or record your own beatbox for inspiration.
- Start by sampling the break of an R&B or soul song that you particularly like. The Meters were a relatively unknown New Orleans band of the late 1960s that rose to fame after their songs were sampled into many great rap songs. Trim the beat using GarageBand or other free software on your computer.
- Create a beat with a programmable drum machine. The Roland TR-808 is the most iconic drum machine, and has been used on many classic hip-hop and rap tracks. It offers a wide variety of bass, hi-hats, claps and other percussion that you can program however you like. You will also be able to process and manipulate these beats on your computer.
Step 3. Find the melody in the beat
Add the melody by playing bass with a synthesizer or keyboard, or by sampling the melody line from another song. Listen to the song repeatedly until the melody begins to reveal itself. Listen to it from different angles and try to experience all the melodic possibilities. This will help you find the hook when you start composing the lyrics and the chorus of the song.
Record a "draft" by singing nonsense words on the beat to be able to find and remember the melody. Even if you're not a good singer, it doesn't matter, because it's not the final version of the song. Just explore the beat and find the melody to accompany it by freely singing, humming or vocalizing
Step 4. Listen to several beats before choosing one
Some beats are upbeat and danceable and are suitable for party-rap songs, while darker high beats will lead you to write about more serious or political topics. Just because a beat is good doesn't mean it's a good fit for the song you want to write. As you listen to it, imagine the possible songs you could write about it and only choose it if it suits you.
You may have no idea where the song is going as you listen, and that's not a problem. Follow your instinct. If a beat speaks to you, it's time to start making music
Part 3 of 3: Concluding the Project
Step 1. Structure the song
Now that you have a good idea of what your piece will sound like when it's completed, organize your rhymes into stanzas (16 bars each). You can start each verse with almost any rhyme, but it is a good idea to end with an effective rhyme. That way your verse won't sound incomplete. A typical structure is as follows:
- Introduction
- Verse
- Refrain
- Verse
- Refrain
- Verse
- Middle 8 or variation (breakdown)
- Refrain
- Tail
Step 2. Rappa and improve
Practice rapping your piece to the beat of your choice, to check for any flaws and optimize the written verses. Delete as many words as you can and then delete some more. Remember, a rap song is not an Italian assignment; use only the words you need to get to the point, nothing else. Don't be afraid to add a rest or two, which can help bring out a certain point in the song.
Step 3. Memorize the song
Scratch the lyrics to your own beat until you've memorized each breath and can't stand listening to it anymore. Only then will you be ready to produce your piece.
Step 4. Produce the song
Get in touch with a producer to complete your registration and master, or self-produce.
Advice
- If you can't write a good text, don't give up! Take a walk or listen to some music and then try writing again later.
- Do not give up! Try to bring out the rapper in you.
- Try to tell a personal experience, you will put more passion into it. Don't rap on general topics, which could apply to anyone. Reflect on past joys and sorrows. Try to rap about something you are passionate about.
- Be original. The key to success is finding your own unique style.
- Listen to your inner rapper to understand what works best. If you're not sure what to say, remember that the point is to get beyond your mind / memory. Create sounds and bring out new languages. Try to focus on known artists you respect / love and see if this affects the result.
- You don't need to buy FL Studio to get started. It is full of free music editors (like Audacity) that allow you to make music for free. If you have a Mac, it includes Garageband, which lets you start recording right away! There are also inexpensive programs that can help you in your search, such as FL Studio, MTV Music Generator, Tightbeatz, Soundclick, and Hip Hop Ejay. However, the best beat you can get is that of a live band, so if you have friends who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or even brass, call them and try to organize something.
- If you need help writing the lyrics, use an online text writing tool.
- Add flavor to rhythms by inserting percussion (for example, before a chorus or verse, insert bass lines and melodic lines to make the song brighter).
