We talked about CONTENT as the most essential element/component of rap music in the earlier post.I believe after reading through it extensively, you've actually held some rappers in high esteem when it comes to that and have began to kick some rappers to the curb but hold on....wait till you read through the rest of the components and realize a great disservice you've done to your ears.
The rest are as follows;
*Flow & Delivery:
Flow n Delivery are two of elements/component of rap that makes a rapper stands out. Flow is how a rapper moves with the beat.More or less ,the way a rapper builds up his words/rhymes on a beat.The number of syllables you emphasize per line,it could be done slow or fast or even smooth. Rappers with the best flow includes eminem, Notorious B.I.G, Sarkodie, Tech n9ne, Manifest, Jay Z etc
Delivery: Most people confuse delivery with flow and its understandable.Basically, delivery is how a rapper pronounce his words or how he/she makes the words sound..Delivery has a lot to do with content.Imagine a gangster rapper who raps about gang stuff with all the aggression etc, imagine how such a rapper will pronouce "fuck" as compared a rapper who raps about love or sex will pronounce such words.How will 2pac pronounce "f**k" as compared to J cole.
*Rhyme Scheme:
Rhyme scheme is the sequencial pattern of rhymes .It could be in the middle or at the end of verse.
Basically,it is where a rapper put his rhymes within a couplet(a pair of succeeding lines of verse, naturally rhyming and of the same length).Most rappers suck at this,they have their rhyme out of place and eventually doesn't correspond to the couplet.A typical example is Kwaw Kese,an artist from Ghana ,Gucci Mane,Soulja boy etc.There are different kinds of rhyme scheme; simple,complex(using multisyllabic rhymes etc) etc but they all have the same foundation.
Rappers with complex rhymes are considered very dope and such rappers and are handful,
eg of a complex rhyme;
“Imitator intimidator, stimulator, simulator of data, eliminator
There’s never been a greater since the burial of Jesus
Fuck around and catch all the venereal diseases
My thesis will smash a stereo to pieces
My acapella releases classic masterpieces through telekinesis
It eases you mentally, gently, sentimentally, instrumentally
With entity, dementedly meant to be Infinite”
Eminem, Infinite
Examples of rappers with complex rhymes include Nas, Canibus, Eminem,Kool G. Rap etc
*Punchlines:
A punchline is a line or couplet that gets a response or reaction from the audience.Any reaction from laughter to head nod to a smile etc.Punchline could be a humor or an insult etc.it carries weight and impact in rap lyrics.It is very essential in battle rap. A rapper ought to be smart to come up with a punchline and a very good one as such.A good punchline is there to wow the audience,and it delivers at least two ideas:the main idea as far as the ryhmes and it goes together but the real idea which is the response either the insult of the rapper or the humor or that great wordplay.Some emcees can establish their lyrical content around punchlines.
An example of a punchline;
They ain't super or luigi or Mario, ain't found that power plus they couldn't spit fire if they found that flower
~Joe Budden`.
Some of the best punchine rappers include Lloyd Banks,Murda Mook,Cassidy,Big L, Flowking Stone,Childish Gambino etc
*Structure:
Structure is basically the the organisation of one's lyrics.its very important to structure your lyrics,it enables the rapper to be consistent with his lyrics and makes it very clearer for the audience to follow your lyrics.
So there you have them,the most essential rap components but mentions should be made on style,metaphors etc as a component of rap.
~C.E.O
