Rap is an art that requires style, devotion and gratitude to become an expert. A good MC manages to make the crowd roar, have his own style and create material that influences people. Do you listen to your favorite rap songs and wonder "how do they do it"? If this is your dream and you have devotion, why couldn't you be the next phenomenon?
(If you are looking to conduct an event, it is best to start by being a good host first. The rhymes may not go well at your next club convention.)
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Developing Your Skills
Step 1. Listen to hip-hop and rap 24/7
A beginner's mistake is to only listen to one type of music or songs by one artist and then end up copying it. Instead, you have to have your own style. So listen to different underground genres of this music: ghettotech, chicano rap, east coast hip hop, low bap, mafia, in short any. Become an expert. Look for competitions!
Study hip hop style by thread and by sign. If you don't know many MCs, here are a few: Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Tupac, Notorious BIG, Nas, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang Clan, NWA, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, KRS-ONE. Eventually you will be a real hip hop "head"
Step 2. Think about the different "types" of rap as well
Nobody would put Ghostface Killah, DMX and Eminem together in the same category. Each artist has his own style. They make similar music, but in a different way. Here are the categories in general:
- Hustler rappers. Their music is mostly about drug sales, CDs, and / or whatever their purposes are. Similar to the glamorous rappers who pride themselves on fast cars, money, jewelry and women. So these contents are very materialistic. Among other things, they are the easiest topics to find.
- Conscience rappers. Sometimes called "backpacker rappers." Their music focuses on deeper things, such as political, social, family problems and the concept of drugs and its meaning. A little philosophical, like Mos Def or Dead Prez.
- Storyteller rappers. As per the name, they only tell stories. They usually talk about them or their opponents but the topic can vary. For example like Raekwon and Nas.
- Political rappers. Similar to "conscience rappers", but they focus on the pitfalls of society and are usually openly anti-conformist. Public Enemy or Macklemore.
- Tongue twisters. They can talk twice as fast as normal rappers (usually 8/4). Similar to "pure lyricists," who concentrate on the difficulty of time, rhymes, long words, always burning opponents. For example Envelope or Twisted Insane.
Step 3. Write your rhymes
Freestyle takes time. So for now, grab a pen and paper and let yourself go. You can always cancel. Think of a subject, the sofa you sit on, the second-hand backpack you've had to use for years, the contempt you feel for Jimmy Kimmel, whatever. After that, let your thoughts emerge.
- The easiest way to start is to think about the end. You can also use a rhythm dictionary, but you will still have to use your brain at some point. If you write your first line ("Jimmy Kimmel, a man, just a waste of space"), write a list of words that rhyme with the last one (agony, duty, sated, etc). How do you continue?
- Nobody wants to hear rhymes already used. Don't be the Dane Cook of the MCs. Even if your rhymes sound more like Dr. Seuss than Dr. Dre, if they are yours, they will always be better than stolen ones.
Step 4. Expand your vocabulary
The more words you know, the more rhyming words you will have. And if you can use a word your opponent doesn't know, boom! Served (microphone drop). So broaden your vocabulary (there are many online) and familiarize yourself with your own language. Your words are your power. With more words available, you'll avoid getting cheated when doing code rap (cipher, with a friend).
Work with close rhymes (consonances and assonances). That refrain melts and pumps me, it is just a whine that resounds. The final words of the sentences do not rhyme but are very similar. A good rhyming dictionary must also have consonances and dissonances. Don't limit yourself to just perfect rhymes. There is room for so many options. And if your choices are hilarious even if they don't rhyme perfectly, no one will notice
Step 5. Experiment with speeches
Study rhyming patterns. It is important to develop your own voice to have your own style of speech. A single beat could be used in dozens of different ways. When you hear a base, how many ways to rap can you find?
Listen closely to rappers like Raekwon, Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Big Pun, and all MCs who have their own style. Studying and learning these discursive techniques is like learning math in a sense: you have to understand the rhythm, the beat, the structure, the beats, the groove and then place the rhymes
Step 6. Use the basics
Now that you have some rhyme you can experiment with, get started! Search for basics on YouTube. Use the same rhymes and try incorporating new ones. What comes naturally to you? What isn't it? What are the sounds that are too repetitive? Do we need to make something more efficient?
Sometimes your rhymes won't go well based on the rhythm. If that's the case, find another base. Be patient, it may take a while to find the sound you are looking for
Part 2 of 3: Find your Taste
Step 1. Freestyle begins
Put pen and paper aside and rap on instinct. The best MCs only need a few seconds to create sentences and rhymes. So while you take a shower, for example, start creating phrases on your soap for example. Take a cue from things and use them to practice. The goal is to be able to express something in any situation.
As you let yourself go, write down the best phrases for later use. Not all freestyle is 100% spontaneous. Many rappers already have clichés and rhymes that they can use to build new material
Step 2. You must have "to fill" phrases up your sleeve
All rappers have found themselves in situations where they only have seconds to organize. When time runs out, use a cliché. It is just a sentence that serves to make you start thinking again to continue your speech. Better to have 2 or 3 to count on when it's your turn.
Do not think too much. For example, one of these phrases might be "Do you know what I tell you?" or "That's it." It is always best to choose a sentence that ends with similar sounds
Step 3. Create some real content
You are not a WCW wrestler. Music must be genuine and real. Better to avoid talking about your friends or things that are too personal. Talk about topics you understand and are familiar with. So your music will be better and you will be respected for making it, regardless of style.
Freddie Gibbs made a lot of success raping Gary Indiana. It's a good example of making what you know work. And it is thanks to this that his music is now creative and unique. Your situation doesn't have to be a burden. You just have to know how to take it
Step 4. Develop your character
There is always something waiting to emerge from your head. To become a good MC you have to find yourself and express yourself. Who are you? What's your sound? How does it "work"?
Even if it has nothing to do with your skills, looking is important to becoming an MC, so find your look. Adapt to the music. If you rap on jewelry, wear it. If you talk about stolen money, you should be one to deal with these things. If you get an image you will be recycled quickly
Step 5. Code rap with your friends (cipher)
A rap cipher is when 2 people rap together in turns exchanging ideas with each other and competing amicably (not a competition). So find a friend to do it. A good freestyle takes a lot of practice.
There are a couple of things to watch out for: 1) Talk about your opponent's looks and abilities when it's your turn, 2) continue where they left off, "Who do you think you are?" answer them directly, and 3) use their speech to leave and take it elsewhere. So you will have a more consistent result
Part 3 of 3: Upgrading
Step 1. Pay attention to the news and fashion
Using your current business knowledge, you can create interesting situations and use metaphors to give insight into rap competitions and your songs. Your words are your weapons and you can use them to stop the people who are against you. And the crowd will go crazy.
A story about your life is fine because people will understand it better and can compare it to their own lives. But talking about something cultural is also good for the whole crowd. So they'll feel like they're part of a joke and get your message. So if you find yourself talking about Miley Cyrus or Obama and the things you say are relevant, then it will be fine
Step 2. Find yourself a group
Many MCs surround themselves with like-minded, talented people for an explosion of creativity. Imagine the Wu-Tang Clan with Wu-Tang alone. Completely poor. So cooperate!
- It is good to work together with a great DJ. A good DJ will support you with a good foundation giving you the stimulus you need. So they have to be capable and equipped.
- A hype-man or sidekick. This is a charismatic and lively type that helps you entertain by engaging the crowd or entertaining them when you need some breathing room, which is very important if you are dealing with an audience.
Step 3. Register
Take your best rhymes and record them. So you can publish things online give the material to friends but above all you can listen to your voice, know your weaknesses and how to continue practicing. If you are not happy with your registration, do it again.
You could make a Demo CD, but better wait a little bit before. Now you need a basic recording program and equipment or, if you have the money, a studio recording. You can do it simply from your computer using the built-in microphone and an instrumental base to learn the techniques and get to know the programs better. We will not go into these details because in wikiHow there is an article that already talks about how to record and produce music
Step 4. Go to the Internet
You don't want to use your recordings to listen to them when you go to bed at night? No! Open a Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Soundcloud account and take care of your relationships with your generation. Don't be modest, you have to sell yourself.
Have we already talked about YouTube? No doubt go to YouTube. Make your name famous on all possible online platforms. When people ask about you, send them a link to let them listen to your music and please you
Step 5. Perform
Now you have to perform live. You no longer have to hang out in your bar or rap with friends, but you need to go to concerts or otherwise show your skills to people who don't know you yet. So people will search for you and you will build a good reputation.
- Send your registration to the owners of the premises. If they are interested, they could offer you a "rehearsal" evening. If there are no venues available for that music, go to the jams. The goal is to get people to listen to you.
- Be confident, clear, precise and, above all, sober. Don't perform while under the influence of something. Do an early sound check, familiarize yourself with the room, engage the crowd and yourself. If you are involved, you will also involve the crowd.
Step 6. Contact the record companies
Certainly only if it is your goal. Best done with the help of a manager, so ask around! A manager sends your demo CDs to people looking for the next new talent. If you send it to yourself, it could end up in the trash. So get a manager, grab your CD and start your career.
Be patient, it often takes years. Keep promoting yourself online. You never know who might be interested in your talent. Play as many gigs as possible until your manager tells you that you have other options. Everything else is boring
Advice
- You can even make your own stage name. But do not exaggerate.
- If you're having trouble, analyze your 50 favorite rap songs and figure out why they became famous. If you do this regularly, you will improve a lot
- Rap to reflect your persona. Not because you want to be Eazy-E or Dr. Dre.
- Be yourself and no one else. In rap, your culture, religion, or the color of your blood is not important.
- You don't always have to talk about your problems. People love positive rap more than negative rap. Negative rap often deals with stereotypes.
- Don't be angry if someone is better than you. Learn from them.
- Most importantly, be genuine!
- Never cheat. The rap community will respect you more if you talk about real things. Don't be the new Vanilla Ice!
- Don't make up your own tricks. Use ICP as an example.
- Create your brand without exaggerating! don't be like Little Jon and his Yeeeeaaahhh! Or like Jeezy's, CHEAAAAHHHHH! Brand name.
- Restrict expressions such as "yo", "CHEAH", "Yeah", "get jiggy wit it" and "boogie." You can use them in some songs, but don't let them be your brands.
- When giving yourself a stage name, do not use the acronyms Lil ', DJ, MC, Young, or Yung, along with the name because they are widely used and limit your chances of getting respected.
- Never brag to other rappers. There are several reasons why the hip-hop style died. This is one of those.
- Remember, your songs are not remembered forever and change often. So keep up to date, no one wants to hear rapper Hammer style again.
- Sometimes you can overdo it but don't do it too much or you will find yourself lying.
- Rap has to be primarily about you.
