What is the key to writing good rap lyrics?

Question

I'm a wannabe rapper.

Answer 1

Lack of musical talent.

Answer 2

1. good vocabulary - communicating your ideas to others through words with music playing in the background is basically how you get your money. So the more words you know the better you can get your point across and the more people you reach. Remember everybody ain't from the hood, and can't relate to shooting ni**as, selling dope, pimping, gang banging, robbing, being locked up, on probation, or parolle, (SEE #3)
2. creativity - if at all possible try to bring something new to the table. Some rappers have crazy lyrics like Rakim, Nas, or 2Pac, some have crazy deliveries like Mystikal, Busta Rhymes, or Twista. Some have both like Biggie, Jay-Z, or Emenim, bottom line get your own style and develop it.
3. honesty - TALK WHAT YOU KNOW. It always comes out better when you write it because you speak from the heart and mind. Now there's nothing wrong with storytelling because entertaining is our business, BUT there is something wrong with lying and/or frontin'.
4. open eyes & ears - Music is art and art is life, and in order to understand life you got to live it. Be aware and take note of your surroundings because inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime.
5. good music production - Rap is the combination of rhythm and poetry. One is NOT more important than the other.This is where alot of cats f**k up because WHO CARES WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT IF YOUR BEAT AIN"T HITTIN. You may be able to write good lyrics but you'll never make good songs and ultimately that's what you want because people don't buy rap lyrics they by rap music.
6. tolerance - because you'll always have dumbass idiots (mostly old and white but not all) like the 1st, 2nd, and 7th person on here that responded to your question. They'll try to hate on you just because your music sells more and you're successful and they're not.

Hope that helps you do your thing.
Make it happen

Answer 3

Well, first things first. Ask yourself, "Do I want to be a rapper just because that's what's hot right now, or I wanna be rich, or that it'll somehow make me cool or respected? Or do I want to rap because I love hip hop?" If your reason is the former, don't even bother. We have way too many money grubbin', cookie-cutter MCs and blinged-out candy rappers in the mainstream; we don't need any more. But if you want to rap because you really do love hip hop...

For the most part, writing good rap lyrics is pretty much like writing a poem - expressing thoughts, emotions, personal experiences, etc. But the really good MCs have the following:

- Variety, especially concerning subject matter. In other words, you shouldn't be talking about how much money you have, how many girls you've been with, etc. in every single song. If you have to use that kind of subject matter at all, try to keep it to a minimum.

- Substance. Life isn't all about sex, money, drugs, etc. Your rhymes shouldn't be either. Feel free to talk about world issues, personal struggles, etc. It's alright to talk about subjects that actually mean something. But if you don't want to talk about things that are so serious, or you think your own life is too boring to be the subject of a song, feel free to make up imaginary situations or talk about somebody else you know. Lots of people embellish in their music.

- Good Wordplay. Feel free to break out the Thesaurus if you have to. The bigger your vocabulary, the more ways you have to express yourself. Also familiarize yourself with the simile and the metaphor. All the good MCs use them.

- Delivery. I can't stress this enough. Delivery is all about saying what you have to say with confidence. Sometimes an MC's confidence can carry a song all on its own, even when the lyrics aren't that good.

- Cleverness. Feel free to include all the funny, smart-***, sarcastic remarks you want in your lyrics. A lot of times, people will remember a song just because it's clever or funny.

And, if all else fails, go right to the source - look up the lyrics of songs by your favorite rap artists. Take note of how their songs are written to see what works and what doesn't for you. But please, by all means, don't feel like you have to write or rap like somebody else just because their style is what's hot right now. Real hip hop fans will respect you more if you just be yourself and do your own thing.

Hope this helps. :)

Answer 4

the key to writing good rap lyrics is to die. then all the lyrics u come up with will be the best rap lyrics ever. theres no other way, otherwise they SUCK

Answer 5

you have to not know how to dress yourself, have little work ethic, & be totally uncomprehendable to most english speeking adults.

It helps if you are a total punk & do no good in society.

Answer 6

Being able to make up words that make no sense at all..

Answer 7

BE NATURAL FUNNY AND MAKE IT RAP!

Answer 8

keeping it real and being able to rhyme words or coming up with words that aren't really words but it sounds good and it rhymes with something you just said.

Answer 9

http://www.weaintcool.com/Articles/rap.html

Answer 10

REAL LIFE and make it ryme...