What makes up a great rap/hip hop song, as opposed to a boring random one??? What to rap about?

Question

just wondering what song to make next, that everyone will enjoy, not the usual "I'm gangsta, I kill u, and random swear words, or dumb subjects like Shoulder lean"

Answer 1

rap about your life,

Answer 2

Actually, there is no such thing as a rap/hip hop song. It really isn't music.
For inspiration to write lyrics, look more toward rock groups(not all, but alot)
Try to include metaphors and stuff to make your lyrics stand out.
Think outside the box.
You can't just sit down and say, "I'm going to write a song now."
It will come naturally eventually.
To see what I mean about metaphors, listen to

Led Zeppelin-Robert Plant
Alice in Chains-Layne Staley
Pearl Jam-Eddie Vedder

These bands have some great lyricists.
Listen to the lyrics and think about their meaning.
That should help you with writing your own lyrics.

You could also look at historic events that have interested you and sing about the difficulties people have had to go through.
Also look at your own experiences. You could even combine the two.

Another very important thing is to have variety between your songs. Try to include all different types of feelings in your music.
This will make you an artist and not just a rapper. There are very few people out now (rap and rock) that are real artists.

You should also learn about the music side. Write your own music. Don't just sing or rap to a backing track that someone else put together. That isn't original.
When you perform live, make sure you have a great live band behind you. This will really make you stand out from the rest.

Answer 3

With the actual beat aside, making a song that has some moral fiber and some character to it is pretty much where you should start. Most of the rap songs out now all deal with how much money they have and who they can sleep with. It's all redundant and stupid if you ask me. I think that rap should come from the heart just like most R&B songs and should speak more to someones mind set and then add a banging *** beat to it.
For instance, Nas can be a very political and conscience rapper, as well as Common and Kanye. But their music comes from somewhere where most people aren't and won't even attempt to go mentally.
Next time you listen to or hear one of their songs, listen to their entire message. Like Nas's "One Mic". I think that he is lyrically a genius and can make you think.
So if you are going to do a song that means something to you, then find a place that you have never gone mentally, try to tap it and let it flow. It may not all come at once, but neither did Mozart's concertos or DaVinci's Mona Lisa. But look where they are now.
If you really want to make something that rocks, try to do something acappella, where the beat is implied, but never actually heard. It might not make sense to yu now, but trust me, if the lyrics are right, people will make their own beat and it can be whatever song they want it to be. That way you can appeal to a larger demographic.

Answer 4

I believe it is definatly lyrical content that makes ANY song how ever you do have the occasional good beat with the Mike Jones type lyrics {that repeat or just don't make no sense} For me its gotta be both. Greatest rapper of all time-Tupac, cuz he had more to say then just, "i got money, i'll kill you" type sh*t. Also, Kanye West and Ludacris, I feel, offer more than usual "gangsta rap/G-Unit" crap.Nothing against G-Unit, they got a couple of jams but lets face, we knew by the first five songs, your bad a** and have money, we get it. Move On.

Answer 5

The rhythm has got to be great, not the average computerized garble that is sometimes produced. You must have a unique and smart phrase or chorus to carry the song across a mass audience too. Getting the right Producers to work with you helps a lot too.

Answer 6

Listen to the work of Will Smith when he was The Fresh Prince. That is some good rapping there.

Answer 7

rap about something thats relevant and that people can relate to use your own life for inspiration but most popular songs on the radio have a catchy hook and a hot beat but do your own thing write about things you want to hear

Answer 8

make it about a big issue in the world that actually has some relevance...aka war. another idea—do it like deltron 3030 or dr. octagon and make a "sci-fi" rap...

Answer 9

A nice beat with strong base

Answer 10

Word play, cleverness, etc. To make something groundbreaking nowadays, you gotta' jump outside of yourself.....like....jumping into the mind of a booger or something....lol!