Rapping techniques, concepts.

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Winding Road

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This here's a thread where you can state your views on rap, lyrics, song concepts..etc, and how your creative process works in making a song. This isn't a thread for you to jack a person's whole process, it's more so a way that maybe you can pick up on something that you never thought about doing before.

Concepts, views
I've been writing a lot of songs lately and I've just started to realize that a lot of your views on how to flow, write lyrics, and what type of song concept you come up with comes from your personality. I've always been a person who values individuality, and so I try to make my songs as creative as possible. One of the things that I've always been praised for is my ability to come up with creative and good concepts. Before, I used to try to compose what each verse would be about before actually writing each verse, layering the song out, but now I've changed my view on that. I feel that while you should have a good understanding of what you want to say, it's good at times to just write what comes to you because then it's more based off of feeling rather than some concrete plan. Because of this, my verses have started becoming more abstract. I've started writing to capture feelings and emotions. It's more so a poetic way of painting a picture of how a certain time, enviorment, or person makes you feel. The reason you're rapping can go a long way to affect your work. I personally don't write for money or acclaim. I do it more so because I love rap. And I like putting up work for people to listen to and enjoy if they like it.

Composing Process
The way I write is basically by playing the instrumental on my DVD player while I'm sitting on my bed. I'll sometimes go the Jay-Z route and flow a few lines in my head. But then, when I want to say something really deep, I'll grab the pen and write. I try get the feel of the flow of the track down as much as I can. Everything is done in a natural manner. It's not rare for me to spend up to an hour or more reciting one verse--yeah, I know that sounds crazy.
 
For me, the type of song I wish to create determines the composing process. I do write for "commercial" purposes as I want to create a certain CD project that can have viable, commercial appeal.


Yet, when (and I don't do it that much these days) I want to create a more poetic or abstract song, I definitely take a different route.

However, with either purpose, I rarely rely on the "beat" or "song" itself. I more so stress the idea I am trying to get across and write and re-write, and -revise the verse(s) over and over again.

I dont mind takin months to complete a song - commercial or conceptual - as long as I am happy with the final product. Some times it takes me writing, recording and listening to the "final mix" for days before I can get it revised correctly.
 
hmmm???

my concepts ? damn thats like asking a magician to spill the beans, i really dont have a concept it just flows from my mouth, i just think raw,gritty and lyrical and if i cant get all three of what i want i will settle for at the least lyrical...

composing process is the one that takes alot out of me..i sit on my computer and let the beat play constantly, with windows notepad out and my tv on..why ? get ideas from current events and plus i can justs jott dont ideas or lines that just come to my head..and sometimes if i cant think of anything..i just drop it for about 2 days..so i can think of somethin different when i listen to the beat again..
 
Gully, it's interesting that you say that you don't worry so much on the instrumental or song. To me, the instrumental is the most important part of the track because it's the musical aspect of things. It's what musically will create pleasure of displeasure to the listeners ear.
 
actually, a lot of people tell me that. but i have always been able to flip the lyric's delivery or th eemotion in the lyric to a song - now there are definite limits to this. i certainly cant take a "sad thought" and spit it happy to a party beat.

but if im sittin down to write a verse about . . . feeling trapped . . . [cuz i have done this] i can carve a verse for my own thoughts about being trapped. now afterwards, i might holla at a particular beat maker and tell him what i have done and what i want.

i get a few beats from him (or make a few my self) and re-configure the delivery to each beat until i feel a "good match"
 
I usually go the Jay-Z route, and just freestyle until i get a nice concept and hook.

Another way I would usually freestyle while taking a shower and create a hook. I then write down that hook and try to fit in a beat.

Last way, I would usually hear the instrumental and just write to it. If I get writers block, i take a few days off and get back to the track. Erasing or replacing any words or rhymes I previously had written.

IMO, theres no same way for me in making a track.
 
gullyjewelz said:
actually, a lot of people tell me that. but i have always been able to flip the lyric's delivery or th eemotion in the lyric to a song - now there are definite limits to this. i certainly cant take a "sad thought" and spit it happy to a party beat.

but if im sittin down to write a verse about . . . feeling trapped . . . [cuz i have done this] i can carve a verse for my own thoughts about being trapped. now afterwards, i might holla at a particular beat maker and tell him what i have done and what i want.

i get a few beats from him (or make a few my self) and re-configure the delivery to each beat until i feel a "good match"


That's original. I haven't known many people that do that.
 
I vibe off of a beat to come up with a "pre-hook", a hook in the lines of what I'll finally use. I might only keep 2 words from what I call my pre-hook. Then I try to build my verses around that, then I lay down the hook whether I change it some or leave it the exact same as I came up with first. It doesn't always work, but it keeps me on subject. Also a lot of times while making a beat, I just come up with random lines that I remember and use later.
 
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