VWB Blog What is the music of the people? It’s no longer rock and roll. These days, rap has taken the crown as the most popular genre in the U.S.
Rap stars like Kayne West, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake are leading the charts with their album sales and reach in the streets. Newer rappers like Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow are becoming increasingly popular with the youth.
With all this inspiration, how do you fit into the rap world? Wouldn’t you like to take your skills to the test and learn how to write a rap song? Flow into our guide below to get started.
While there is no one way to learn how to write a rap song, we can provide the basic framework to get started. Use our guidelines to begin and as you gain more experience your creative flow and confidence will build.
Message
The best rap songs all have a message behind them. While it may be cliche, it works. We encourage you to write from the heart and about something you know.
When you can tap into this creative resource, whoever listens to your rap song will be able to feel it that much more.
Beat
To become the next SoundCloud rapper, you’re going to neat a sick rap beat. This is where the fun begins, right? Once you have a solid rap beat, the words you choose will be able to fit in as your practice freestyling on top of it.
To create a hip-hop beat, you’ll be using a combination of the drum line, bass line, lead, and support.
The drum line is most crucial, as it sets the tempo of the beat. To complement the drum line, the bass line then comes in.
A lead will be used to craft the melody like a piano. Support is any other instrument used together with the melody.
Open up editing software like GarageBand to begin. Most hip-hop beats will be in 4/4 time.
This may take some time, but as you progress your songwriting tricks will amplify.
Hook
When learning how to write a rap song, pay close attention to the hook. This is the part of the song that will stick in people’s minds after listening.
You want something simple that gets your message across. Be sure to pay attention to repetition and tempo too. When you can tug at the listener’s emotions, you’re golden.
Rhythm
The rhythm is where you decide on the cadence of your rap. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the lyrics right away. Even speaking gibberish will get you into the right headspace.
Feel free to experiment and inject different cadence styles. The cadence is your delivery and how your words fit into the beat and the spaces in between. Once you find your rhythm, you’ll be feeling the flow.
Lyrics
With the rhythm and song structure in place, now it’s time to write lyrics. Brainstorm what you want to convey in your rap. Try listening to the rap beat over and over again until something clicks.
Now That You Know How to Write a Rap Song…
Now that you’ve learned how to write a rap song, it’s up to you. It can be even more fun when you get your friends involved. You could even start your very own rap collective.
If you’re feeling confident, post your raps online. Getting that instant feedback will bode well for your blossoming rap career.
For much more intel on lifestyle and creativity, be sure to turn up the beat and read our blog.