How To Rap: The Step By Step Guide To Becoming A Rapper
Rap is a form of self-expression which can be improvised, spontaneous, and off the top of the dome. It is an unrivaled, unique art form with boundless expression through the percussive use of words over musical backdrops. Great rappers perfect their craft by paying attention to the details, using powerful lyrics that are potent when delivered properly with the appropriate amount of energy and confidence. If you apply these steps, you too can make it big in "the rap game."
1. Learn to flow. At its core, rapping is putting dope lyrics over a beat, but good raps use techniques, like alliteration, repetition and wordplay. Use a flow that keeps the song interesting while remaining on beat.
Study the style of your favorite rapper to understand how its works. Make an effort to freestyle whenever you can, make a game of it sort of an improvised rap. This will help you come up with fresh ideas and develop your instinct for how words and flow patterns come together.
2. Get out your pen and pad. Keep a pen and pad handy so you are able to write down new ideas when they come to you. Do not be afraid to experiment with new concepts. Write down any lyrics that come into your head throughout the day. Also take the lyrics you come up with and develop an entire song. The most common formula for structuring a song is: Intro - Hook - Verse - Hook.
Write down all your rhymes as much as you can. Over his career, Eminem has collected dozens of boxes of notebooks filled with potential rap lyrics. You should be able to fill in at least one.
3. Practice day and night. You can have the greatest lyrics in the world but if your delivery doesn't convey confidence and your flow isn't captivating then you want get anywhere. Practice your delivery by rapping your bars loudly and passionately. Try changing up your flow with different speeds and vocal inflections.
Learn the songs of professional rappers who have a captivating flow, and try rapping along to their music. When you think you've mastered it, use instrumental version and try to recreate the same song without the original rapper. Once you are able to do that, practice without the instrumental.
Develop your own style by embarrassing what is interesting about your own voice. Don't try to copy the style of another rapper, instead just capitalize on the uniqueness of your own sound.
You can study other rappers flow, but don't copy their style. You have to focus solely on developing your own sound.
4. Get some original beats. All the great rap songs have an original sound that set them apart from all the other songs.
Hire a producer who is consistent with a catalog so you can make sure this person is talented and listen to some of their work before you buy anything.
If you are just getting started and can't afford beats yet, consider getting instrumental versions of popular rap songs and rap over these. Just make sure you are following fair use rules for copyrighted material. And of course, you can't rap over other artists' songs forever.
5. Start recording your raps. Of course you can get the best sound in a professional recording studio, but you can also invest in your own home studio.
Record your song and be sure to do several takes—you're not Pac, Biggie, or Eminem just yet! Don't get frustrated if you mess up. You can always do another take for any parts you need to record again.
6. Get your songs ready. Have your songs mastered and put your raps over the best premium beats. Adjust the levels on your songs until they sound as good or better than what you hear on the radio by adjusting the beat and the vocals until they match.
Name your song. Try using words or a phrase from the hook.
7. Release your debut mixtape. For aspiring rappers a mixtape can be a great way to introduce your music to the world. Once you have put the finishing touches on the songs you like, combine the best 7-15 of them into a mixtape.
Think about how you choose to order your songs when putting them on your mixtape. Create a narrative or emotional connection with the layout of the songs.
Create some album art. This is as important because it will be what your listeners first connect with before they even decide to listen to your music. If you aren't comfortable with creating the album art yourself, hire an artist to help you.
Burn some CD copies to distribute and release your mixtape online.
If you don't have enough songs for a mixtape but still want to start getting your music out there, consider just releasing a single instead. Make sure it's a great one, and give your single cover art just like an album would have.
Tips
Play with the tone of your voice.
Listen to as much music as possible.
Do breathing exercises.
Get feedback from a wide variety of people. These people should be trustworthy and willing to give you constructive criticism.
Read more. Reading can help broaden your vocabulary and expand your understanding of life, which you can use in your music.
Do not copy or imitate other rappers because you will be called out.
Lose yourself in the music.
Believe in yourself.
Always hire people that can help your career.
If you have any questions it would be wonderful to hear from you.