rapping

Spitting lyrical verses

Rapping is performing rhythmic, rhyming speech over a beat—the vocal style central to hip-hop music.

A rapper delivers verses with precise timing, wordplay, and flow.

Beyond music, rapping can mean knocking sharply rapping on the door or criticizing rapping the administration for its failures.

To take the rap is to accept blame.

lyricism

wordplay

Verbal wit techniques

punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers
metaphorsImplicit comparison expressions
similesExplicit comparative figures

storytelling · double-entendres · alliteration · imagery · themes · narrative · irony · satire · wit · clever

flow

delivery

Conveyance of goods

cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
barsRods, taverns, or measures
wordplayVerbal wit techniques

punchlines · enunciation · diction · articulation · breath control · projection · inflection · dynamics · pace · timing

freestyle

improvisation

Spontaneous, unplanned creation

cipherHidden writing system
battleArmed military engagement
spontaneousArising without external cause

unscripted · ad-lib · impromptu · spit · emcee · punchlines · crowd · acapella · rebuttal · choke

hiphop

MC

Vocal performer or host

DJMusic mixer performer
graffitiIllegal surface markings
breakdancingAcrobatic hip-hop dance form

b-boy · boombox · turntablism · block party · mixtape · old school · new school · East Coast · West Coast · Dirty South

beat

tempo

Rate of musical performance

rhythmPatterned stress and silence
percussionSound through impact
drummingPercussive rhythm-making

breakbeat · loop · sample · 808 · snare · kick · hi-hat · bassline · groove · swing

verse

hook

Curved catching device

chorusSingers performing together
bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
featureDistinguishing quality or element

collaboration · intro · outro · opening · closing · structure · song · track · single · demo

Categories

performance skillsmagic, illusions, sleight of hand, juggling, mime
Nu MetalKorn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Papa Roach
paranormalghosts, paranormal, haunting, poltergeist, apparition
repeated hitspunches, jabs, drumming, hammering, pounding
Rap Battlebattling, freestyling, flowing, cypher, verbal sparring
seancesseance, medium, mediums, channeling, planchette

Opposites

vocal musical technique

rappingsinging

Vocal music-making

crooning · belting · vocalizing · humming · chanting

communication style

rappingsilence

Total lack of sound

muteness · whispering · speechlessness · mumbling · slow speech

physical action (knocking)

rappingcaressing

Touching with affection

stroking · silence · stillness

Phrases

rapping someone's knucklesPunishing with a tap

Family

unwrapping, rewrapping, rappings

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G