How To Begin Writing A Rap Verse
In today’s video, I’m going to show you how to begin writing a rap verse using 6 different techniques.
To get started it’s important to note that if your verse is going to be a part of a full song then I recommend you do 3 things for your song before you write your verse.
1 Brainstorm
2 Storyboard
3 Write the hook
I’ve already done a video called “How to begin writing rap songs” which explains why I approach songwriting this way and it will walk you through the brainstorming and storyboarding process
I’ve also done a video that shows you 3 easy ways to write dope rap hooks
How To Begin Writing A Rap Verse Using 6 Approaches
And each of the 6 techniques I’m about to share with you, I’m also going to provide you with links to songs that use them.
And the instrumental I’m using today is a beat that I produced called Fairy Tails. If you like this beat I’ll post a link to it along with everything else I just mentioned in the video’s description below.
1 ASK A QUESTION
Now the 1st technique I’d like to share with you to begin writing a rap verse is by simply asking a question.
EXAMPLE 1
What rapper do you know whose skills is fresh as mine?
Peeled right off the vine Zip Locked sealed with precious lines
EXAMPLE 2
What’s the point of falling in love with someone who already fell?
Should you tell them if their hearts already with someone else?
EXAMPLE 3
Why’s the media trying to pin us against one another?
A house divided can’t stand, y’all my sisters and brothers.
SONG EXAMPLE: “I’m Shady” by Eminem
2 MAKE A STATEMENT
Another effective technique you can use to begin writing a rap verse is by making a statement or claim that you can expound upon in the song. This could be your opinion about something, your favorite or least favorite thing about something. Or you could be just expressing something personal you’ve gone through.
EXAMPLE 1
Y’all can hate all you want but I’m never stopping my grind
I don’t do this for you, Homie I do this for mine
EXAMPLE 2
Only a weak-minded person’s jealous of another’s success
cause they view all their wins through the lens of regret
EXAMPLE 3
I love the fact that over half of my competition they can’t even rap
They don’t know snares from hi-hat’s and that aint even cap
SONG EXAMPLE: “Slippin” by DMX
3 EXPRESS HOW YOU FEEL
Another approach to begin writing a rap verse is to state how you feel about something. You could express how you’re tired, upset, confused, happy, nervous, excited, etc.
EXAMPLE 1
I feel like my heart’s been ripped out my chest and stomped into the dirt
And trampled upon by elephants, the extent of my hurt
EXAMPLE 2
I’m tired of working these dead-end jobs for minimum wage I’m enraged
and wanna punch my boss in the nuts like Johnny Cage
EXAMPLE 3
I’m so high off of joy that I’m afraid to come down
Cause I may never reach this altitude again in the clouds
SONG EXAMPLE: “Rock Bottom” by EMINEM
4 ESTABLISH TIME AND LOCATION
Another cool approach to writing a rap verse is by stating the time, year, or location of where your song is taking place. This works particularly well for storytelling-type songs.
EXAMPLE 1
It was 96 in the backwoods of Georgia,
Newports in my pocket, bottle rockets off tha porch
EXAMPLE 2
It’s 12 o clock at night, it’s very scary, riding with a girl named Marry,
it’s very Jerry Springer, trust me you’ll tell me
EXAMPLE 3
I lace my boots up in the morning before I go off to work
just to earn some crumbs from my dumb boss who’s just a jerk.
SONG EXAMPLE: “Regulate” by Warren G ft. Nate Dogg
5 BEGIN TO DESCRIBE A SITUATION
Another great way to begin writing a rap verse is to begin telling the listener about a situation you or someone else has found themselves in.
EXAMPLE 1
I’m so broke that I can’t even pay attention
plus the repo man is threatening to come pay me a visit
EXAMPLE 2
This is the first time I’ve loved a girl with my all.
I just hope it’s mutual and she catches me if I fall
EXAMPLE 3
My parents said they kicking me out, if I don’t get me a job.
They only gave me 2 weeks, for me to beat all the odds.
SONG EXAMPLE: “How’s it Goin’ Down” DMX ft, Faith Evans
6 START A CONVERSATION
And the 6th way to begin writing a rap verse is to start a conversation by beginning to speak to a person, place, or thing. You don’t have to immediately call the person or object by their name or title. The conversation doesn’t have to go back and forth either, it can be one way.
(this could be about someone you were dating or it could be about an object such as drugs, or even a crappy gym membership that you purchased. lol!)
EXAMPLE 1
You don’t have a clue to all that you’ve put me through.
All the time and tha money I spent that’s wasted on you.
EXAMPLE 2
Hey Mom, I’m sorry for all the stress that I caused you,
all the times I kept you waiting up and never called you
EXAMPLE 3
It seems like yesterday when we was both on the phone
Talking about hanging out, I can’t believe that you gone
SONG EXAMPLE: “I Miss You” By DMX ft. Faith Evans
And I’m curious to know, out of all the 6 techniques I shared today, is there one that you’ve never used before? If so which one? Also, is there a technique you like to use to begin writing a rap verse that I didn’t cover in this video? If so, share it with the community in the comments section below!
