Write Rap Lyrics

So you want to be a rapper? The following steps can help you to write lyrics more consistently and overcome some common pitfalls.

Steps

Sample Rap Songs

Doc:Rap Song,Rap Song About Money,Rap Lyrics

Writing Your Own Rap Lyrics

  1. Build your vocabulary. If you are going to be rhyming words, it is important that you have a few to pick from. Read books and news articles that contain polished, refined writing. If you come across a word you don't know, look it up.
  2. Develop an ear for rhythm. As you add to your vocabulary, try reading certain passages out loud and noticing where you naturally tend to add emphasis. In English, for example, a lot of poetry and song lyrics are written in iambic pentameter, in which the first syllable is unstressed, the second is stressed, the third is unstressed, and so on for a total of five stressed syllables and five unstressed syllables. Developing your sense of meter will ultimately help you form a beat to your lyrics, or the lyrics to your beat, in a way that sounds reflexive and easy.
    • Try saying "rapper" both ways, with the first syllable stressed and the second unstressed, then vice versa. Notice the difference?
    • It might sound dorky, but a good way to introduce yourself to iambic pentameter is to read Shakespeare aloud. (Search for his plays online.) You'll begin to notice the alternating stressed syllables and how naturally they flow.
  3. Get focused. Your lyrics should have an objective other than making words rhyme. The rhyme is the glue for your lyrics, but the substance is in your message. What do you want to say? When you're talking to other people, which topics really get you fired up?
    • Whatever you choose, be real - rapping about your own life gives the song credibility.
  4. Write it down. Rap lyrics can happen anywhere - at home, at work, at school, on the toilet, and in your sleep. Write down what comes to you without censoring yourself or editing. When you're struggling with writer's block later, refer back to your ideas.
  5. Come up with a good hook. A hook is the part of a song that gets stuck in your head and makes you want to listen to it again. For most raps, this makes up the chorus. It doesn't have to be long, but it should have a catchy rhythm and be fun to hum.
    • For a lot of songwriters, the hook is the most difficult part to create. Don't feel discouraged if it takes you awhile to come up with one - it's better to wait for a good hook than to wrap up your song with a bad one.
  6. Memorize your lyrics. After you have worked out a final draft of your rap lyrics, memorize every word. When you go to perform your rap song in the studio you don't want to be reading from your notebook.
  7. Download an audio editing software: If you are a new rapper, it is recommended that you get Audacity. It is a freeware that is user-friendly and works quite well. If you own a Mac, you can record using Garage Band, which is already installed. After you gain more experience, it is recommended that you move onto other software such as Audio Audition. They are not free, but they are better than the free ones.
  8. Revise to a beat. Pick a beat that you want to use to rap on. You can search for rap beats on youtube, or download rap beats from a beat distributor. A good strategy here is to already have the core of your rhymes written, and just work on adapting them to fit your beat. A common pitfall is if you try to write the core of your lyrics to a beat, you can likely suffer from "writers block" because you are trying to be creative and do revisions at the same time.
  9. Record your rap. Using your mic and your audio editing software, you can now begin recording. Load your downloaded beat to the software and record over it. Remember to add emotion or you will sound like a robot metaphorically speaking!
  10. Record your rap again. While this is time-consuming, it gives you a wider variety of takes to choose from. Record at least 1 to 3 more times. This is because your first time might not be perfect.
  11. Select the best track. Now that you've done several takes, choose the one you feel like is best and delete the rest.

Tips

  • Don't get upset just because some people don't like your raps. Other people will probably like it, and, in most cases, there will be more lovers than haters.
  • Be persistent. Building a rap career can take a long time, but use that time to hone your writing skills and come up with even better lyrics.
  • Raps do not always have to be written. Many rappers can also freestyle Freestyling on a good rhythm can also let you jump into new ideas,and listening to other rappers rap can also give you inspiration too.
  • Let some of your friends read your lyrics. Get their opinions, and if they have any suggestions write them down. When you get back to your writing area, consider the suggestions from your friends. Go over your lyrics again and make sure that the changes keep the flow.
  • Notice that most rappers use slanted rhymes (for example: Kill For, Still Roll) in which the sounds don't match exactly, but they're close. Put these at the end line after each bar and see how hot your raps turn out. Count the syllables.
  • Make sure the intro to your verse is strong. Set yourself up for a good rhyme scheme. Example: Man, it's strong palm down ,punch them get 'em strong man. Girls you too but you've never heard a girl put it down like this, kill for.

Warnings

  • Yet, at the same time, do not censor yourself or limit the potential of your expression because you're afraid of offending someone. In other words, if your going to say something with impact, it had better possess some sort of meaning or otherwise you will just be spitting out mindless hatred.
  • You can make up things in your lyrics, but make sure they don't single out any one specific person or group of persons.

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