How To Start A Rap Verse: 5 Ways To Rap Better Instantly At The Start

How To Write A Rap On Any Topic In Under 20 Minutes or Less (FREE VIDEO COURSE): freestylefortnight.com/raponanytopic
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How To Master The Art of Freestyle Rap In 2 Weeks Or Less: freestylefortnight.com
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The Top 20 Songwriting Secrets of Professional Rappers (FREE VIDEO COURSE): freestylefortnight.com/top20songwriter
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In this video, we will show you how to rap better at the start of the rap verse. If you want to know how to start a rap verse like the greatest rappers of all time including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Nas, and many others... this how to rap for beginners tutorial will instantly help you. We often do videos on how to start rapping or how to make a rap song, but we haven't made one on how to START a rap song in a while... so here it goes! If you've wanted to learn how to be a rapper and get rap tips from someone who's shown people how to write a rap song for beginners for the last six years... this is the video for you. Enjoy!
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How To Start A Rap Verse: Terms You Need To Know
Before we start with the five core concepts, let’s make sure that we know the difference between first person, second person, and third person, so that you can create MORE ideas from different perspectives and reach a larger audience:
First person is when you are speaking from YOUR direct perspective, in other words… “I, me, mine, etc.”
Second person is when you are speaking TO somebody about their perspective, in other words… “You, yours, yourself, y’all”
…And third person is when you are talking ABOUT somebody else’s perspective, but not you or the listener directly… as in “they, his, her”, etc.
Each different terming can give a different vibe to the start of the verse.
When you are talking to somebody in second person, as in, “Y’ALL ACT LIKE…” or “YOU KNOW WHO IT IS”… it often sounds more like a call to attention or ordering someone… as opposed to first person… “I remember when I…” which sounds more like storytelling.
FULL ARTICLE HERE: rapgamenow.com/how-to-start-a-rap-verse-4-ways/
1. Second Person + Describe Your Surroundings / Behaviors
Speaking directly to the listener or broader audience and describing your lifestyle in the form of your surroundings or how you act is one of the most common ways to start a rap verse.
The reason this is effective is because a rap is inherently a music that GRABS the audience’s attention and BRINGS THEM INTO A NEW WORLD.
If you want to sound like a confident rapper with a story to tell that people have never heard before, second person with an environment description is a great way to do it.
For example, Kendrick Lamar starts his song, “m.A.A.d City” with:
“Brace yourself, I’ll take you on a trip down memory lane
This is not a rap on how I’m slingin crack or move cocaine
This is cul-de-sac and plenty Cognac and major pain
Not the drill sergeant, but the stress that weighing on your brain”
Kendrick Lamar, “m.A.A.d City”
Kendrick uses a mixture of second and first person here but we term it as second person since he immediately orders the audience to BRACE YOURSELF and follow him as he describes his surroundings… i.e., takes you down memory lane.
He then describes his behaviors in the form of telling you what he’s NOT going to rap about or what he DOESN’T DO.
He is not going to be your stereotypical rapper on this song and just describing selling crack and moving weight.
On a similar but different tip, Eminem starts “The Real Slim Shady” in second person describing the environment of celebrity culture in the early 2000s as embodied by Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee:
“Y’all act like you never seen a white person before
Jaws all on the floor like Pam like Tommy just burst in the door
And started whoopin’ her ass worse than before
They first were divorced, throwin’ her over furniture (Agh!)”
Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady”
In this case, Eminem is setting up the “universe” you’re about to live in this song by describing the wild antics of celebrity culture and how people can’t believe how wild Shady is when describing it.
So, one really good way to start a rap verse is talk to your audience in YOU, Y’ALL, YOURSELF form (second person) and set the tone for what kind of artist you’re going to be on the track…
…Will you a celebrity joking prankster like early Eminem, a non-stereotypical lyricist like Kendrick, something else?
FULL ARTICLE CONTINUED: rapgamenow.com/how-to-start-a-rap-verse-4-ways/

[@dominic_lf4240]

"I don't know how to start this shit"

[@lilduke9791]

Lol

[@kupekupela5142]

😂

[@lxlo.ortzfrr]

Nas

[@jaspreet4011]

Erybody getin lit But here i am Confussed af how to write that shit

[@drzl]

MF DOOM always had the best openers

[@LarryPicasso96]

drzl & lzrd 👌🏾🙌🏾💯💯

[@Q_pun_saves]

“Living of barrow time the clock tick faster,That would be the hour they knock the slick blaster” -MF Doom Accordion

[@ApoMelon]

"the rest is empty with no brain but the clever nerd, the best emcee with no chain that ya ever heard" - MF DOOM on Figaro madvillainy

[@Spliffy8]

“Jump 'em in like jump rope, double dutch Then turn on the mic with a thumb stroke, subtle touch Cuddle clutch, is this thing on? Like the fling with Mrs. King Kong, this spring gone?” -MF DOOM ‘Benzi Box’

[@bitzz1234]

rip

[@ApoMelon]

"the rest is empty with no brain but the clever nerd, the best emcee with no chain that ya ever heard" - MF DOOM on Figaro madvillainy

[@bz.27k15]

Eminem - Same song & dance Not lyrically his best, but the rhyme schemes on this song and all of the relapse album are insane. Top tier rhyming

[@jishnudesai4033]

Relapse is underrated

[@cloudywon]

Same song & dance is my number 1 from relapse. Agreed, the rhyme schemes are fluid

[@CynicalCharmer]

See, Relapse is his best album since Slim Shady Show to me

[@zoapsmoke8553]

Between these two for sure. Kendrick Lamar - Sing About Me Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only I can never really choose a favorite song, but those two have always stuck out to me.

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

Such good songs

[@NoahJohnson1810]

Sing about me, my favorite

[@Dtaunjackson]

Children’s story by slick Rick for sure

[@bilbosteaparty991]

you're raising the internet generation to great places and the art that will follow is something to really look forward to. Mad respect my man, being a teacher is no easy job but you've made it understandable with great references! Keep up the great work!

[@firinne]

This video was dope. Very helpful tips, especially these in depth explanations for these concepts- this fresh perspective on subject matter in raps will definately help people who want to rap find out the keys of the Format

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks Veg! I'm glad how deep we went actually helped

[@toocoldd_]

My favorite rap song is ADHD by kendrick lamar

[@Coffebreakpodcast]

Thought I was the only one!

[@Ha44a]

Preach bro 🙌🏼 2013 GTA vibes

[@toocoldd_]

@@Ha44a nbs he need to drop his new album

[@antonynyaga7117]

8 doobies to the face

[@toocoldd_]

@@antonynyaga7117 fuck that

[@money78]

Wow this channel is really adding knowledge to me on how to make a rap song. Thank you bro keep helping us🔥🎙

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Glad that it helps!!

[@TheOfficialBlvckSpider]

I never stop learning! Wow you’re on to the point!! Really motivation and inspiring videos🙌🏽 if anyone asked me how I did it....it’s not just ourselves but also you

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks my G!

[@nathanmilton8955]

Watched a lecture by Ralph Murphy, understood a bit of format. Then i needed to know more, came here, now i know what a verse and a chorus are. You’ve been the most helpful out of all, thank you!

[@MartinSolli]

Your videos is crazy!😮 You’re the best KZbinr in the whole wide universe!

[@wojciechbankowski233]

Thats exactly what i needed at this Point. Good looks man keep doing this please i really appreciate. Elo

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks Wojciech!

[@javeekmerry6939]

SAD! is my favorite rap song of all tgime

[@poetryismyting8854]

Not rap

[@robb4040]

Had to come get my daily knowledge lol. Good looks for another dope video bro

[@thevirtualgoddess6514]

I really want to learn how to rap my problem is coming up with a tune

[@Visionofimmortality]

search *"artist that you like" type beat* into youtube-- all the tunes are already made for you! At least to experiment and have fun with.

[@princessgonzales8958]

Samee

[@micfranco697]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lae4Z6Wrg715mdk same here gotta keep practicing

[@donloyal]

@@Visionofimmortality i think what Crystal is trying to say is he/she finds it difficult to come up with a rhythm for the rap flow. Nothing about the beats.

[@daytrace4635]

can use mpc beats, its a free daw, or spend a little on fl studio, imo its probably the easiest daw to learn. chord scales are essential, 808s sound better following chords than melody imo, Make your beat before lyrics man, Ive been learning this the hard way, now trying to work on flow with my own beats bc I see when the kick and snare hits and its the easiest to flow to bc you have a visual cue imo, this is just advice, Im no expert by any means tho

[@grammaroffherrockerreacts1122]

This is something I wrote in an hour as a comment to a Dax post. I have to learn to shorten versus and throw in hooks.. 💯💯💯 **************** I got balls like a Chevy race! Im on a steady pace! Ready steady it's a petty race! Open case! I'm gonna cut to the chase like on a metal base like a Chevy chase, I'm high on trees I feel wacked, packed in a metal case in a mental place. I feel like I'm 3 stories high like 20/20. I,m so fly, sky dive in a B-line, to my feline, she Be mine. pump up that me time! Its Tee Time no Z time. POP. 3 shots to the Beehive, grab my honey she gonna be mine and slam her like 20/20 in her behind from behind so I can See mine see Hine! I'm like a Jockey. I don't see side. But I see wide. Roll one with that Z-wide.. It's easy ride, Sit by the seaside. I'm fired up . Throw in a fire log, I'm sick with heat like a MAD DOG! If she leaves me behind I be MAD DOG and whine like a SAD DOG ! bury her under a log like a ground Hog! No more head jog, head fog, now you can lay like a dead log. You hated my leg on, Good thing I had that Foghorn. I forewarned, this floor worn. I'm on the edge of a ledge stuck like the ledge gone it won't be long before I pull the trigger. No figure.. I,ll have to have a mask for me. I'm ghost look like cast to me. It was the last blast laugh for me.. It's blasphemy, catastrophe, blow off my head it detach from me, theres no match for me. My heart is shattered there's no patch for me. But I'll see you as a ghost in 2020 can't lock no latch from me. Your just the past for me. Its all in my past for me! This is a blast for me..

[@jd2realeditz]

Giving Eminem I’m messing with it

[@yeah-yr4bd]

This is real good advice. Helpful for a first debut single , really tryna be one with the audience

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks I'm glad it helped Jamenci!

[@jessesplashman2337]

Song with great opener-beautiful Describing from 1st person how he is feeling

[@anthonybocash6778]

Ty big help love your vids bro

[@HowToRapOfficial]

one love, Athony bocash! 👊

[@vesselportion575]

Thank you for makin this video

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeremycogswell1936]

I fantasize bout this back in Chicago...

[@8THKIND]

Jay Z's intro on Diamonds Are Forever with Kanye West goes hard!

[@CheeksOfButt]

What’s up with you and Jay are y’all ok man?

[@therealheatherhiphopkinsak1451]

99 problems I would love for you to break that down that is the ultimate song for me and Jay-Z as an artist love him

[@imparadox2132]

ima use these tips from now on, that first project finna be fire

[@casti3552]

NBA youngboy - Solar eclipse I woke up every day with this, and I feel like I got a lot of energy every time. (Excuse my English, I’m French)

[@stingyfromlazytown8612]

Casti - If you want to fix it, you can change it to “When I wake up, I listen to this song and I get a lot of energy”

[@user-mr6ft8ro2z]

Thank you bro

[@RiLeyOG]

My first come up rap was juss last Saturday I killed it and this lesson was actually what I did all though today is the first day am watching his series buy YO! I think am doing better because I do all these Buh I still wanna learn more form you ✊🏾

[@codevii9063]

I love me some atmosphere.

[@veronrsg]

Thank you big hommie ...cheers💝🙏

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks for watching VERON!

[@KANIKAINDAHUNCHO]

After watching this, my bars will improve for sure😂I hope so

[@HowToRapOfficial]

✊🏽✊🏽

[@AmnesiaML]

Keeping it 💯 it's a toss up lyrically speaking between a duo of storytelling pairs (Stan/Bad Guy) and (Castle/Arose) personally speaking eminem's storytelling heavily inspires my typical freestyle/freewrite mindset

[@saithemusicguy]

loving this info g!

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks for viewing Sai!

[@blazemusic8439]

Motivational Lose yourself Till i collapse Very old school Hit em up Hypnotize Aqurmini New school. Rigamortus

[@Baj8240]

1,00,000 SUBSCRIBER WITHOUT ANY VIDEOS all these songs are outdated

[@jaywbell2002]

S̶I̶N̶ C̶I̶T̶Y̶ naw you just don't know music those songs are classical they'll never be old

[@ifeellikeyeezus8525]

S̶I̶N̶ C̶I̶T̶Y̶ the Bible is “outdated”, that don’t mean it’s bad. Learn to appreciate music from generations before yours, young blood.

[@yeahlo5993]

Jay WBell stfu

[@blazemusic8439]

@@Baj8240 i am 12 and i have more hip hop knowledge than you

[@HowToRapOfficial]

What's your FAVORITE rap song of ALL-TIME? Comment and upvote the ones you like!

[@elferny4205]

Honestly,Tech N9ne's "This Ring" is his best song ever.An absolute classic and banger.

[@williamlavagna1096]

DMX Slippin

[@KE-hs4yf]

Subscribe to my KZbin

[@scinnyc]

Jay-Z - "Dead Presidents 2"

[@dylanbissonnette8639]

As of right now it would be phenomenal by Eminem

[@zorbnpsn9969]

I was rapping for a bit now but I actually came back to have a look ngl

[@TuTataElDaddy]

Young king dropping heat!! Thanks man I’m sipping

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Appreciate that

[@loveofknowledge413]

1. MOMMA 2. FEEL 3. SAVIOR 4. DUCKWORTH 5. COUNT ME OUT 6. SING ABOUT ME, I''M DYING OF THRIST 7. HOW MUCH A DOLLAR COST 8. THE BLACKER THE BERRY 9. THE HEART SERIES (So, like all 5 songs) 10. GOOD KID

[@jaybae7315]

Blessings King, I definitely feel like I went to class.

[@melvinjansen2338]

King? wtf

[@adrenalinestairz5068]

I like the 90's rap Vanilla Ice and Ice Cube and Ice T. Today was a good day by Ice Cube is definitely one of my favorite songs. I prefer 90's rap over today's rap. Ice T song Reckless sounds great also.

[@Jackiiii47]

if you like the old sound i would suggest looking into rappers such as Joey Bada$$ and logic

[@LoDaddy717]

Been watching this channel 🤘🏾

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Appreciate the loyalty my G!

[@micahfrmmontana]

Ambitionz az a ridah, Holla at me, Hypnotize, Gin and Juice, Middle Child, and How Do U want it.

[@C.Ellis_BMI]

My Favorite song of all time is RUN DMC / Here We Go (Live at the FunHouse). Not only they gave Hip-Hop its B-Boy look but, the had a way of starting off a Rap song.

[@Dustingman1]

That south park thumbnail is fire

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Yeah we got a lot coming :)

[@adubz9108]

Except that they made Cole white as paper for some reason

[@lethallaceration6681]

I’ve written a lot of music and I can already tell just taking your advice even though I’ve done it before I did it in a different way specifically how you said and I’ve got something great on my hands right now

[@mikehardwick5049]

idk i cant say i got (A) favorite song. i love a lot of songs by plenty artists. it really depends on the mood im in. mef this day, pac that day sprinkled wit a lil big to even it out, redman when im climbin trees u feel me? goes on n on. RnB smh. that list crazy

[@dalwinlewis424]

a dope example for 2nd person would have been eminems when im gone verse 1

[@344marcus]

Too Deep For The Intro - J. Cole I memorized every lyric to it and, I relate to some of the topics he talked about.

[@tyrekthekingg]

Everytime I watch his videos I stay into the end ! ! !

[@noahpoetik]

Great vid. Very enlightening

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Glad you liked it!

[@rickyhineman4124]

It's probably M.A.D.D. City by Kendrick (coincidence that you used it as an example lol), but it's hard to narrow down a fave

[@davidtrueheroakad-true8318]

Dopest videos on rap Man U should open up a class in a venue man shits really helpful 👌🏽💯

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks David! I'm glad thelps!

[@emmanchirwa8592]

I like it bruh

[@phantom1067]

J.cole ft wale winter schemes that song is some 🔥🔥

[@latoshiaclemons1991]

Thank you and you are 💯😉

[@jaydahuguley5548]

Awesome

[@ShineBrida]

I knew you were going to use The Real Slim Shady as that example 😄

[@ghettovisionary967]

‘03 Adolescences -J.Cole because he so personal and real from the jump it’s relatable

[@sebasandrade]

3 years late to this video but holy was this video so in depth

[@dellzshotbeats9163]

Good stuff as always man...

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks!

[@dellzshotbeats9163]

Yeah! Been having idea's of how to do this and you confirmed and added some strategies... ✌

[@fr8180]

Da joint stay on point

[@itz_dom.official]

This is really refreshing to my mind. Time to put more pen to paper! 😤

[@HowToRapOfficial]

💪🏽

[@williammontgomery8812]

1) 1985 by J Cole 2) Still by Dre 3) Hourglass by Cunninglynguists Those are my top 3.

[@nblee9572]

Keep ya head up fosho.

[@SaltySedan]

I got guns to my head, push me to the edge yeah, i got guns to my head, all my friends are dead, uh, i got guns to my head, Knife across my neck, yeah. (man i really wanna say you helped me alot thank you so very much. Keep on doing what you're doing because someday you will help someone and make them smile like you did to me) (Also have a good day!)

[@youngboiselvis6938]

Luv u bro ❤💯

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽👊🏽

[@-stormcloud]

I’m getting better with practice, these videos are really helpful. to answer the question I don’t really have a favorite song But I’ve been listening to “the worst guys” by childish gambino a lot lately

[@zr0fluxxx452]

I'd like to see you do break downs of lyrics from your subscribers

[@kingallah329]

Thanks 4 dis

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@sagradothesound]

Love Yourz by J Cole ✊🏽

[@Ricky-1]

You should do a video on how to come up with a nice flow to go with a beat

[@bradydoughty4312]

Slacker by Tech N9ne is my favorite rap song now. I can't stop listening to it.

[@ArtistM1lz]

bless

[@fakeemcee9912]

This is really helpful

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Great to hear!

[@rukohei9608]

Favorite rap song of all time is Hit em up (dirty)

[@munguzojean1171]

Lit

[@evilteddybear121]

All time favorite rap song is pretty tough to pick out. But all time favorite rapper I would have to say is Em.

[@g4g3_k95]

i can’t start a song i feel like i need to tell a story but have nothing to tell but once i start i think it goes fairly good

[@nhlakaniphokwazi6494]

This guy desvers millions of following

[@suremykbbushkelly6088]

I want to learn more how to rap

[@ZoeBoyBaby]

useful.

[@megadex8168]

You just feel it

[@jimhavouski7603]

Fave song is Xxplosive by Dr. Dre

[@darkeyez3444]

lol you can tell I be havin too much time on my hands, my bad, i finally got a day job that lets me sit and write bars/watch videos while workin

[@directa9203]

fav rap song....proverb writers club

[@chahtadomwindham7397]

I'm AK I don't play I'm a charging bull like olé You can hate and that's OK But my bars hittin' like croquet

[@platinumsaber9325]

Favorite song? Apple Juice by Mach Hommy

[@sandvwexgaming6856]

Mac miller vitamins 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽👏🏽

[@orirabi7818]

My favorite song is 4 your eyez only by j cole

[@redglocks5854]

Bro gherbo making me wanna rap 😭 but I don’t know how 😭😭

[@angiex750]

THIS IS MEEEE ‼️‼️‼️‼️😩

[@eOSdeath]

It’s ok he don’t either but he still make fire music

[@opanohoy9426]

It's all eyez on me and baby Pluto

[@michaelarvieiammicd19bible28]

Up jumps the boogie, by Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, and Aaliyah

[@mp879]

Nice

[@MCRippah3921]

This is very helpful I'm trying to finally use my rhyming skill and record vocals instead of just releasing beats. Also bro i don't mean to alarm you...but there's a couple creepers behind you...

[@HeavensGloryy]

Thx u

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Np u

[@edwardramin3908]

BIG Juicy

[@boomanreacts7209]

Big homie drew came through this actually came in handy

[@krisnamedkris]

no one asked

[@boomanreacts7209]

Advanced Boi 😂 haha

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Glad to be of service

[@benguyton5451]

Advanced Boi nobody asked for you to respond

[@jfydjaja7077]

@@krisnamedkris no need for that negative energy homie

[@DusiaLOve]

The LEFT GAS MASK WHOLE ALBUM IS GOLD BUT “Statistics” best song I’ve heard in a while, has bars, has flow- hands down.

[@mukeshpathak7302]

Hey Drew, another dope video man. I'm getting much better in writing verses than I used to be. Sometimes can do a really good storytelling rhythmically, but I suck at one thing which is stopping me to reach the next level. Is there anything I can do better to connect different verses? Like, making a whole song together? What do you suggest.. writing one whole song (like writing multiple verses on the same idea at the same time.. which quite hard, I hope you know what I mean) Coz so far I was writing as much as I can to improve my flow and rhymes.. but I can't connect different verses. Even if I finish like one or two verse one day 1 and on day 2 I come back to add another verse, I just can't continue or make another good verse on the same theme/idea. Advices on this please bro.

[@HowToRapOfficial]

I'm going to be making a video on this topic very soon! Stay tuned

[@mukeshpathak7302]

@@HowToRapOfficial appreciate that you always reply to your fans man. God Bless You.