Rapping

:This article is on the art and practice of rapping. For information on "rap music", see Hip hop music. For the English folk dance, see Rapper sword.

Importance of various techniques

Although rhyme is the essential required element of all raps, there are other literary techniques that are often employed. To use many of these techniques while still maintaining a meaningful rhyme is considered by most rap listeneres to be signs of a good rhyme.

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Cadence

Cadence is the overall balance of a rhyme in relation to the beat, as far as emphasis and speed (and in some cases, changes in melody). It is also known as "riding the beat". Cadence plays an especially large role in the raps of West coast hip-hop. Many hip-hop listeners find Snoop Dogg to be an example of a rapper with varying -- but always strong -- cadence in his raps. He is seen this way because of his ability to ride slow, fast, melodic, or hardcore beats equally well.

Related Topics:
Cadence - West coast hip-hop - Snoop Dogg

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Prosody

Unlike many other forms of poetry, rappers typically don't think about metre and feet very heavily. Instead, the goal is to unconciously develop a flow. A good flow is a metre that doesn't drag along, but rather, draws the listener into the words. Big Boi of OutKast is considered to have a good flow by many fans. It is important to note that rappers sometimes do use forms such as iambic pentameter.

Related Topics:
Metre - Feet - Big Boi - OutKast - Iambic pentameter

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Enunciation

Speaking clearly is important because rap is said outloud unlike many other forms of poetry. Enunciation in rap is sometimes exaggerated to a cartoonish level, which is actually a sign of skill. Ludacris is considered an example of a good enunciator.

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Style, voice, tone, attitude, and soul

These terms are essentially the emotions carried by the rapper in his music and lyrics.

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Speed

To some, the speed of a rapper's words are an example of skill. A rapper who can rap quickly and coherently is considered skillful. However, rapping slowly doesn't necessarily mean a lack of skill, nor does rapping fast mean quality; some raps become incomprehensible when performed at a high tempo. An example of a fast rapper is Twista, who is considered both fast and skillful in his rhymes.

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Wordplay

Wordplay include double entendres, alliteration, and all forms of playing around with your words. Wordplay is subjective -- whether it's done well or poorly is up to the listener.

Related Topics:
Double entendres - Alliteration - Subjective

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Other techniques

There are several other techniques used in rapping, such as: enjambment and hyperbole.

Related Topics:
Enjambment - Hyperbole

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