Successful rap artists often write songs that describe their immense wealth and party lifestyle; who wouldn't want to hop on this fast train? However, it's more than that; rap is also a powerful form of artistic expression that utilizes the complexity of human language, rather than simply using sound to create music. From the mundane to the profound, from light-hearted rhymes to violent urban struggle stories, rap encompasses a wide range of content—the key is to write compelling lyrics and perform them with great style. Becoming a rapper is not an easy task; there will be many enemies and competitors hoping for your failure. But if you invest yourself wholeheartedly, create great music, build a fan base, and gain the right social connections, you can also achieve great things in this "game."
Method 1: Learn to Rap
1. Learn to string words together based on rhythm, rhyme, and meaning patterns. At the most basic level, rapping involves reciting lyrics over a beat, but good rap employs a variety of linguistic strategies, such as alliteration, repetition, and puns. Good rap also has energy and personal style, making the songs interesting while fitting with the beat.
• Study poetry, literature, and music to understand what is possible.
• Play games to learn to rap; try expressing all your everyday sentences in an improvised rap form. This will bring fresh thinking and help you develop an intuition for how words naturally combine.
2. Write every day. Write about topics you know and care about; don't be afraid to experiment. Jot down any lyrics that come to mind throughout the day, but also take some time to sit down and connect a few lines of poetry to form a complete song.
• Write down as many rhymes and interesting word combinations as possible. In Eminem's career, he collected dozens of boxes filled with notebooks recording possible rap lyrics. Your written lyrics should at least fill one box.
3. Practice, practice, and practice your pronunciation and enunciation. If you can't confidently and energetically deliver the lyrics with personal style, even the best lyrics in the world won't make you successful. Practice rapping the lyrics out loud with passion as much as possible. Experiment with different speeds, volumes, pitch variations, and pauses.
• Memorize the lyrics, infuse them with rich personal style, and try rapping along. When you feel you've mastered it, choose an instrumental version of your favorite song and try to rap it without the original vocals guiding you. Once you have that down, practice in an a cappella format.
• Figure out what is interesting about your voice and maximize it. Don't try to imitate other rappers—use your unique voice.
4. Study top rappers. Listen to famous and influential rap artists and examine their lyrics. Look for the different techniques they use and the structure of their songs. Decide on the style you like and explore it until you have a good understanding of the genre. Research the references and jokes behind many classic rap lyrics.
• You can be influenced by other rappers, but don't become a copycat. At some point, you need to eliminate distractions and focus on your own music.
Method 2: Create Music
1. Move on to the next stage—beats. Every great rap song should have a unique and catchy beat to distinguish it from the ordinary stuff that floods the airwaves.
• Buying beat-making software and equipment can be expensive, and learning how to make beats is often as challenging as learning how to rap. However, if you can, creating your own beats is well worth it, as it gives you greater creative control over your songs and a deeper understanding of them.
• If you don't want to make your own beats, you can hire or collaborate with a producer. Make sure this person is talented and listen to their work before purchasing anything.
• If you're just starting out and can't afford your own beat-making equipment, consider rapping over instrumental versions of popular rap songs. Just make sure you follow fair use rules regarding copyrighted material. Of course, you can't rely on other artists' instrumentals forever.
2. Record your rap. It's best to record in a professional studio, but if the workload is small, you can also set up a recording space at home.
• Record each part of the song several times—you’re not Jay-Z yet! If it gets messy, don't worry; you can always use another recording of that part.
3. Mix the song. Master the recording and rap over the best beats. Continuously revise the song until it sounds great, adjusting the beats and vocals until they fit seamlessly together.
• Give the song a title. Consider using a distinctive word or a phrase from the transitions in the song.
4. Create your first compilation. Many people think of a compilation as a collection of various artists' songs burned onto a CD for a boyfriend or girlfriend. But in terms of inspiring rappers, a compilation is more like an album, just usually not as polished and often distributed informally or for free.
• Think about the order of the songs in the compilation. Try to create a narrative or emotional atmosphere with these songs, even if they aren't necessarily related.
• Creatively design the album cover. This can be anything from a photo of yourself to just text on a blank background, or even abstract art. If you lack artistic talent for visual effects, find an artist to help you.
• Burn some copies of the compilation CD to distribute to others, or release it online.
• If you don't have enough songs to make a compilation but still want to start your music journey, consider releasing a single instead. Make sure this single is outstanding and create an artistic cover for it like an album.
Method 3: Start Your Music Journey
1. Participate in open mic events and rap competitions. Treat it as your stage to rock out and make everyone remember your name. All you have to do is participate and sing. Make sure the audience at the events you choose are hip-hop fans.
• Immerse yourself in the world of freestyle rap. Being a good rapper doesn't mean you have to be a great improviser, but the latter will certainly help. Freestyle rap battles are a way to hone your skills and get recognized.
2. Promote yourself online. A vibrant community of aspiring rappers and active groups has formed online, sharing and discussing their music. Simply putting your music online doesn't mean anyone will notice or listen—you have to promote it.
• Submit your music to websites like DJBooth and send it to popular hip-hop blogs.
• Create a Myspace account, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. Share your music through these social platforms, promote performances, and upcoming albums. Build a fan base and capture their interests.
3. Book live performances. At music venues, perhaps as an opening act for a bigger show, ask around and try to interact with hip-hop audiences. Try to make some money from these events, but don't be afraid to do a few free performances to get your name known.
• Print some T-shirts, burn some compilations, and other merchandise to sell during performances.
• Work on your stage presence. Don't just stand there reciting lyrics—interact with the audience. Use your words, expressions, and body movements. Pay attention to what the audience enjoys and give them more of it.
4. Find a manager. Once your music career starts to take off, you may need help to elevate it to the next level. A music manager can handle promoting your music, booking shows, and negotiating with record labels. Just be careful that they are looking out for your interests, not their own.
5. Collaborate with other artists. Rapping is not a solitary art—most of the time, it requires collaboration with others, whether producers, singers, or other rappers. Build strong relationships with others you meet in the rap industry. Collaborate with them when possible.
• Writing lyrics for another rapper will showcase you and your skills to a new audience.
• Having another artist write lyrics for your song is somewhat like a form of support. If you have notable collaborators, people will pay more attention to your music.
6. Get a record deal or become an independent music producer. Signing with a major hip-hop record label is a dream for most rappers. A record deal brings a wealth of resources and influence to your fingertips, helping you start on the path to true fame. However, remember that record labels are in it to make money, and sometimes going solo or collaborating with other independent musicians to release music may be better.
Tips
• Remember: not all great rap speeds have to be fast.
• Always stay on theme with the song.
• Be yourself on stage. Ignore the haters and focus on making your fans happy.
• Practice breathing exercises. Nothing is worse than running out of breath halfway through a live performance.
• Seek feedback from different people with varying tastes to gauge how well your music will be received by a broad audience. Just ensure that these surveyed individuals are trustworthy and will provide constructive criticism—ones who won't overlook flaws just because they like you, nor will they disparage you out of a desire to see you fail.
• Always maintain the confidence of a great rapper; you will ultimately succeed!
• Keep your rap themes relevant to real life and people.
• Never compare yourself to others; be uniquely you.
• Listen to as much music as possible, not just rap.
• Be yourself on stage; never stare at the audience. Keep your head up, and only make eye contact when you want to emphasize a key point or move to the next line of lyrics.
• Change your tone. If you want to show off, raise your volume. This will draw the audience's attention to your music. Also, don't plagiarize other artists' lyrics, as this won't prove your ability to create your own rhythms.
• Read! Dictionaries and books help expand your vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as broaden your understanding of life, all of which can be used in music.
• A good voice is a gift from above, but you should also master basic rhythm and rhyme knowledge, and know how to mix and edit to make your sound the best. Practice as much as possible, and eventually, you will start to stand out and may get booked for performances at local clubs. Remember, practice makes perfect, so try to visit as many music venues as possible. For example, many local youth centers have programs to help emerging or talented writers and musicians, often charging a small fee or completely free.
• Rap in your own accent; don't pretend to have another accent.
Warnings
• Make sure you get good feedback from people other than family or friends before sending your music to record labels. You definitely want to make a good first impression on the company.
• Listen to a lot of other music, but don't plagiarize. This will make your songs seem unoriginal.
• Rapping can be sharp and biting. Practicing rap with friends or family can help, but if they take the lyrics too seriously, it could ruin your relationship.