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How to Become a Rapper - It Ain't Just the Lyrics
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Arianna Chenoweth
Aug 6, 2009, 4:45:43 AM8/6/09
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There have been countless arguments over who the best rapper is,
though very few people attempt to define exactly what makes one rapper
better than any other.
Is it speed? Freestyle rap skills? Battle technique?
While these may be important to certain emcees- such as battle rappers
like Eyedea or Supernatural - the ability to freestyle does not
translate to record sales, nor do freestylers compose timeless songs
which create their legacy. If you've ever listened to battle rappers'
albums, you'll know this at once.
So what are the elements of a dope MC? First and foremost, an MC must
have a trademark voice that is instantly recognized. Listeners don't
have to be told who they're listening too, they know from the first
word who it is. An MC may have solid lyrics and catchy hooks, but
without a strong voice, the songs will fall flatter than a soufle in a
snowstorm.
What exactly is vocal quality, and how do we define it? There are
three aspects of a voice that must be perfected:
Range. Can an MC rap over fast as well as slow hip hop beats? Are they
able to sound angry, sarcastic, sexy, strong, confident, vulnerable?
The broader the range of emotions a rapper can cover, the broader the
song topics they'll be able to deliver on.
Honesty. This is tied in with range, but with a twist; while a rapper
may be able to sound angry, they may not necessarily sound believable
writing a hardcore track.
Try and imagine Common writing a gangsta track, or 50 Cent writing a
love song. It ain't gonna happen. The key is sticking with song topics
that are honest to them. Otherwise, you come across as unbelievable,
which is the kiss of death for a rapper.
Resonance. A strong voice carries resonance from the speaker's chest,
throat or nose depending upon the pitch. Too many rappers fail to
fully develop their voice and end up delivering their vocals just from
the throat. This lacks honesty and can seriously affect your range,
not to mention the overall quality of recorded material. To develop
resonance, practice vocal exercises every day to strengthen your vocal
chords and help you build resonance.
In order to learn how to rap, from freestyle rap to studio recordings,
you must learn to strengthen your voice. Once you've developed your
own natural vocal talents, you'll see your skills as an MC start to
take off.
though very few people attempt to define exactly what makes one rapper
better than any other.
Is it speed? Freestyle rap skills? Battle technique?
While these may be important to certain emcees- such as battle rappers
like Eyedea or Supernatural - the ability to freestyle does not
translate to record sales, nor do freestylers compose timeless songs
which create their legacy. If you've ever listened to battle rappers'
albums, you'll know this at once.
So what are the elements of a dope MC? First and foremost, an MC must
have a trademark voice that is instantly recognized. Listeners don't
have to be told who they're listening too, they know from the first
word who it is. An MC may have solid lyrics and catchy hooks, but
without a strong voice, the songs will fall flatter than a soufle in a
snowstorm.
What exactly is vocal quality, and how do we define it? There are
three aspects of a voice that must be perfected:
Range. Can an MC rap over fast as well as slow hip hop beats? Are they
able to sound angry, sarcastic, sexy, strong, confident, vulnerable?
The broader the range of emotions a rapper can cover, the broader the
song topics they'll be able to deliver on.
Honesty. This is tied in with range, but with a twist; while a rapper
may be able to sound angry, they may not necessarily sound believable
writing a hardcore track.
Try and imagine Common writing a gangsta track, or 50 Cent writing a
love song. It ain't gonna happen. The key is sticking with song topics
that are honest to them. Otherwise, you come across as unbelievable,
which is the kiss of death for a rapper.
Resonance. A strong voice carries resonance from the speaker's chest,
throat or nose depending upon the pitch. Too many rappers fail to
fully develop their voice and end up delivering their vocals just from
the throat. This lacks honesty and can seriously affect your range,
not to mention the overall quality of recorded material. To develop
resonance, practice vocal exercises every day to strengthen your vocal
chords and help you build resonance.
In order to learn how to rap, from freestyle rap to studio recordings,
you must learn to strengthen your voice. Once you've developed your
own natural vocal talents, you'll see your skills as an MC start to
take off.
progea
Aug 6, 2009, 8:01:12 PM8/6/09
to
This is not a rap newsgroup. This is still a music newsgroup, though.
So, please try, instead, alt.c.rap
So, please try, instead, alt.c.rap
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