How to Write Rap Music
Rap, or hip-hop, can be defined as poetry or spoken word that is usually rhymed over a beat. Being born out of the DJ era of the 1970s and 1980s, rap has become one of the most popular genres of music in the world. Just like any instrument, the rapper's lyrics are supposed to evoke emotion while having a flow and rhythm. Although writing a rap song may take some practice, the more time you put into it, the better the song will be.
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Instructions
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Think of a topic that you would like to rap about. Just like all songs and poetry, there is a central topic that is being expressed. For example, this could involve love, pain, happiness or greed. Refrain from rapping about the overused and negative topics of guns, drugs and womanizing.
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Play an instrumental or a beat of a rap song. If you are unable to find an instrumental, then listening to the beat of a rap song with lyrics will work too. Go to the YouTube website to listen to some rap instrumentals. An instrumental will allow you to get your timing down. It is best to have your own beat so your lyrics will match up to it, and it can be original.
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Begin your song by thinking of the chorus first. The chorus, or hook, is the part that is repeated throughout the song and is often the most memorable. This does not have to be complex. An example of a chorus could be: "Throughout my life, I have been dealt many cards, some of which have been very hard, but I'm not too far from getting what I want, turn the next one over cause it's to get a new start."
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Start writing the first verse. Listen to the beat of the instrumental or envision a beat in your head and try to flow to it. Try to see how many words in one line you can rhyme. Some of the best rappers are able to rhyme each syllable and use multiple patterns of alliteration to develop a flow. If you are unable to do this, then try to rap at the end of every line or every other line.
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Write a second verse and a third or fourth if you choose to do so. Typically, a rap verse consists of 40 bars or lines, although some may be slightly under or over this number. Finish the song by writing a bridge after you have written your verses. A bridge is a transition from the chorus and is usually only a few lines long. After the bridge, the chorus will repeat and another verse may come after it.
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Tips & Warnings
Use your own beat to make your song more original. If you do not have any beats, then purchase one from a beat-making website. Constantly recite your lyrics to make sure they are on beat and to help think of more lines. Listen to other rappers and study their content, flow and delivery.
Do not plagiarize other artists' content.
