If you feel you have basic rapping skills and just need to hone your skills, then this article is for you. Make sure you understand the basics of rap. You can look for articles on getting started rapping, freestyle rapping, or practicing breath control to rap, which will offer introductory tips if you've never rapped before and don't know how to get started. This article assumes that you are familiar with the basics of rap covered in other rap-related articles.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Practicing Lyrics
Step 1. Analyze what other rappers do
A great artist in any field must have knowledge of the legends who formed the basis of the field as well as the current artists who are also masters of the field. Likewise with rap. Take the time to listen to everything from Run DMC and Tupac, to lesser-known local rappers.
- Just being a connoisseur is not enough. Break the lyrics and rhythm of your favorite songs and those you don't like into parts. Ask yourself which parts are good and which parts are not.
- Hold yourself accountable to the standards you want from other rappers. For example, if you are tired of listening to weak lyrics in other songs, then you should avoid doing so.
Step 2. Write everything down
You think you have a good idea for lyrics? Write wherever you can! Writing down all your ideas will develop your rapping skills as you have more concepts for rap and an ever-expanding vocabulary for your lyrics.
- Poets and other writers used to keep a booklet in their pocket at all times, so they could easily write a good sentence before they forgot it, no matter where they were. If you have a smartphone, you can find many apps for taking notes.
- Waiting for inspiration to come before you write will limit your productivity, so try to force yourself to write every day.
- Try giving yourself a writing assignment. For example, you could give yourself thirty minutes of writing or one verse a day. Ask your friends about your progress every day if you don't feel pressured just to do it yourself.
Step 3. Look for inspiration in other lyric art
Rap and Hip-Hop are primarily poetry with an emphasis on rhythm, so don't be afraid to look to modern poetry for inspiration.
- For example, Saul Williams is an American poet and prize winner of the Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion. He has also worked with Nas, Kanye West, and Jay Z.
- The variety of structures, sizes, and other lyrics found in poetry might influence you to create something new for the rap genre that you never imagined possible.
Step 4. Develop your message
Many rappers bring comedy to their music, but experienced rappers usually say something serious behind their jokes. Try to connect with your audience and rap about something meaningful. Rap about what's going on, social issues, or even daily observations.
Part 2 of 2: Training Your Flow
Step 1. Practice your voice
Rappers are musicians who use sound as an instrument. Practicing your voice can help you with pitch, melody, and various aspects of singing.
Step 2. Rap your favorite song
Just as a guitarist learns how to play a Jimi Hendrix song to practice his skills, you should also practice rapping with your favorite songs to improve your flow and tempo.
- Don't choose songs that are easy or involve only one rapper. Practice with a variety of songs with varying tempos, rhythm schemes, and song lengths to practice several different skills with your rapping skills in mind.
- “Alphabet Aerobics” by Blackalicious is the perfect example of a tongue-trap to test the flow of your skills.
Step 3. Practice your articulation
In addition to rapping with other songs, try doing exercises to develop your accuracy in articulation. This website offers a variety of lists of tongue-trapping materials for practice, organized into letters if you need to practice a specific voice.
Step 4. Practice and practice again
Practice your rapping skills every chance you get. At home, outdoors, or in your car. The more you practice, the better your flow and ability will be. Try practicing your own rap in different styles and at different speeds. Both of these are good practice, and you may be able to err on the side of an unexpected flow.
Step 5. Listen to yourself
Record your rap and replay it to hear what you did right and wrong. It's also a good way to practice different ways on the same material and will make it easier for you to compare them.
Previous records will also measure your progress, but it will be difficult if you are working on something every day
Step 6. Know if a material is not working
Sometimes ideas don't appear the way you want them to. In this case, sometimes it's better to get rid of something that exists and get back to working on it another time.
It also means knowing when you need to get rid of an idea. Sometimes a project is all about keeping one good line and getting rid of the others. So don't be afraid to start over
Step 7. Do freestyle rap (Freestyle / Rap Ceplos)
Freestyle can greatly improve your rapping skills. If you can think of good lyrics when you're freestyle, you'll no doubt be able to think of great lyrics when you're at home.
Step 8. Ask other people to help
Friends and family can listen to your rap and help you improve. You can also ask for tips and help from the rappers you're role models.
Tips
- Be patient and keep an open mind in the process.
- Listen to different rappers. You will learn different rap techniques, which will benefit you greatly.
- Make sure you are comfortable standing in front of many people. Rap is all about being assertive and standing out there. So practice in front of your friends, your family, and anyone else who will listen to you.
- If you're not comfortable with making your own music, try rapping with instrumental music in the background. Maybe you can ask a friend for help who knows how to make this music.
- Be original. Don't repeat what other rappers have said and done.
- Don't steal materials or music. Other people own the rights to their own lyrics and music, so stealing is a toll road for you to take legal action, or, at the very least, be ostracized from the rap community.
- Look for things that will make you stand out in front of an audience.
- Accept constructive criticism. Don't hide yourself from other people's suggestions, especially from people in a genre you respect. They only intend to help you to develop as an artist.
- Practice your voice before composing the lyrics.
