MCs
Hip-hop lyricists
MCs is the plural of MC, an initialism for master of ceremonies—the person who hosts an event, introduces performers, and keeps things moving.
In hip-hop, MC took on a specialized meaning: the rapper, the one who rocks the mic.
The club's lineup featured some of the best MCs in the city.
The term can be verbed: to MC an event is to serve as its host.
She MCs weddings on weekends.
Pulses or defeats
- 808Legendary drum machine model
- basslineLow-register musical foundation
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- loopCurve closing on itself
breakbeat · producer · instrumental · track · hook · chorus · ad-libs · mixing
Audio input device
- stageRaised performance platform
- cypherEncoded communication method
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- battleArmed military engagement
live · concert · hype · crowd · venue · soundcheck · set · opener
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- barsRods, taverns, or measures
- verseMetered poetic passage
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
meter · enunciation · diction · articulation · timing · pocket · syncopation · double-time
Verbal wit techniques
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
double-entendres · imagery · alliteration · assonance · multisyllabic · narrative · boasts · disses
Rhythmic spoken-word music
- turntablismPhonograph-based music creation
- graffitiIllegal surface markings
- b-boyMale street dancer
- breakdanceAcrobatic street-style movement
DJing · scratch · mixtape · crew · underground · cipher · beef · posse
beats
Pulses or defeats
- 808Legendary drum machine model
- basslineLow-register musical foundation
- samplingExtracting subset for study
loop · breakbeat · producer · instrumental · track · hook · chorus · ad-libs · mixing · mastering
microphone
Audio input device
- stageRaised performance platform
- cypherEncoded communication method
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
battle · live · concert · hype · crowd · venue · soundcheck · set · opener · headliner
cadence
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
rhythm · meter · enunciation · diction · articulation · timing · pocket · syncopation · double-time · triplet
wordplay
Verbal wit techniques
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers
storytelling · double-entendres · imagery · alliteration · assonance · multisyllabic · narrative · boasts · disses · conscious
hip-hop
Rhythmic spoken-word music
- turntablismPhonograph-based music creation
- graffitiIllegal surface markings
- b-boyMale street dancer
breakdance · DJing · scratch · mixtape · crew · underground · cipher · beef · posse · label
- celebrity hoststalk show hosts, morning show hosts
- media peoplejournalists, journalist, reporters, reporter, editors
- spoken wordspoken word, spoken word poetry, slam poetry, slam poets, poetry slam
- UK Garagebassline, Artful Dodger, Wookie, Pied Piper
MCsDJs
Music mixers at events
turntablists · beatmakers · producers · instrumentalists · b-boys
MCsaudience
Gathered viewers collectively
attendees · spectators · crowd · guests · listeners