rappin
Delivering rhythmic lyrics
Rappin is the present participle of rap in its musical sense—performing rhythmic, rhyming speech over a beat.
The spelling without the final g reflects casual pronunciation and hip-hop's vernacular roots: caught him rappin in the basement, she been rappin since she was twelve.
The form appears in song titles and informal writing about hip-hop culture.
Without prescribed technique
- rhymesMatching word endings
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- beatsPulses or defeats
- MCVocal performer or host
cypher · bars · spitting · verse · microphone · DJ · turntable · breakbeat
Informal verbal exchange
- talkingProducing speech aloud
- conversingEngaging in spoken exchange
- discussingTalking through a topic
- shooting the breezeCasual, aimless conversation
gabbing · chit-chat · jawing · bantering · yapping · schmoozing · catching up · hanging out
freestyle
Without prescribed technique
MC · cypher · bars · spitting · verse · microphone · DJ · turntable · breakbeat · punchlines
chatting
Informal verbal exchange
- talkingProducing speech aloud
- conversingEngaging in spoken exchange
- discussingTalking through a topic
shooting the breeze · gabbing · chit-chat · jawing · bantering · yapping · schmoozing · catching up · hanging out · vibing
tapping
Repeated light striking
- knockingStriking to announce presence
- drummingPercussive rhythm-making
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
pounding · striking · banging · hammering · rat-a-tat · staccato · rhythmic · percussive · pattering · rattle
rappinsilence
Total lack of sound
listening · mute · speechless · staying quiet · hushed
- 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