rapper
Beats and verses
A rapper is a performer who delivers rhythmic, rhyming speech over a beat—the vocal artist in hip-hop music.
The style emerged from African American communities in the 1970s.
Rapper can also mean one who raps in the older sense: someone who knocks or strikes sharply, as with a door knocker.
Vocal performer or host
- emceeCeremony host
- spittingOral fluid ejection
- barsRods, taverns, or measures
- cypherEncoded communication method
battle · crew · mixtape · DJ · turntablism · breakdancing · b-boy · graffiti
Rods, taverns, or measures
- punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- metaphorsImplicit comparison expressions
- similesExplicit comparative figures
storytelling · verses · hooks · chorus · ghostwriter · penmanship · multisyllabic · internal rhyme
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- cipherHidden writing system
- battlingEngaged in conflict
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- unscriptedNot pre-written
punchlines · rebuttals · crowd · judges · acapella · beatbox · showcase · open mic
Raised performance platform
- microphoneAudio input device
- concertLive musical performance
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- crowdLarge public gathering
spotlight · tour · headliner · gig · venue · encore · setlist · backstage
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- 808Legendary drum machine model
- sampleSubset for study
- loopCurve closing on itself
- basslineLow-register musical foundation
kick · snare · hi-hat · drum machine · instrumental · track · producer · mixing
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- pacingRate of movement
meter · phrasing · articulation · enunciation · dynamics · dexterity · double-time · triplet
MC
Vocal performer or host
cypher · battle · crew · mixtape · DJ · turntablism · breakdancing · b-boy · graffiti · old-school
bars
Rods, taverns, or measures
- punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- metaphorsImplicit comparison expressions
similes · storytelling · verses · hooks · chorus · ghostwriter · penmanship · multisyllabic · internal rhyme · slant rhyme
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- cipherHidden writing system
- battlingEngaged in conflict
- spontaneityActing without forethought
unscripted · punchlines · rebuttals · crowd · judges · acapella · beatbox · showcase · open mic
stage
Raised performance platform
- microphoneAudio input device
- concertLive musical performance
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
crowd · spotlight · tour · headliner · gig · venue · encore · setlist · backstage · live
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
bassline · kick · snare · hi-hat · drum machine · instrumental · track · producer · mixing · DAW
cadence
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
pacing · meter · phrasing · articulation · enunciation · dynamics · dexterity · double-time · triplet · staccato
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- Hip-Hopbeat, lyrics, freestyle, freestyles, cypher
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- music jobsmusician, singer, composer, songwriter, producer
- music makerssinger, songwriter, composer, musician, vocalist
rapperopera singer
Dramatic vocal stage performer
singer · crooner · balladeer · torch singer · vocalist
rapperchoirboy
Young male sacred singer
Pat Boone · Andrea Bocelli · church organist · hymn singer · Donny Osmond
- white rapper
- battle rapperCompetitive lyrical sparring performer
- rapping someone's knucklesPunishing with a tap
- rapped someone's knucklesGave a minor punishment
- Chance the Rapper
- rapped atStruck sharply to signal