How To Write A Rap Punchline In 5 Simple Steps (Tips + Examples)

[@HowToRapOfficial]

COMMENT: What is your FAVORITE punchline from your FAVORITE rapper?

[@veyl4n]

“The boom bap is coming back to mumble rap with an axe lumberjack with a hacksaw” - Eminem on Caterpillar. I don’t even know if I got the lyrics right but ye

[@dominicmathis7504]

"It takes 40 men to suffer a defeat" Eminem

[@peggy10142]

Kendrick's control verse. The whole verse is full of punchlines

[@TommyRemengesau7]

@@dominicmathis7504 That one is dope

[@TommyRemengesau7]

Idk there are so many good ones but definitely an Eminem bar.

[@leothelion2593]

Actually the play on Cole wasn’t cold.. it was Coal. There’s a long-standing myth that diamonds are hidden in coal.

[@Datboieurope]

facts i was waiting to see if anybody caught that

[@uncledrew7022]

Diamonds under pressure (in the ground for various amounts of years(thousands) actually makes diamonds

[@leothelion2593]

@@uncledrew7022 I’m aware, doesn’t change that that’s what he was referencing

[@qdontae6]

That was actually simple

[@CallSign_KillerE]

It’s not a myth to be precise. Coal is made up of mostly carbon which is also what diamonds are made up of so it’s essential the same thing in two different forms. Clever word play

[@downtoearthproductions]

"I paid the judge off with money in a briefcase/so when I go to court it's gonna be a brief case" - Ruthless 20Gs

[@emekaabuah6029]

Dope!!!!!!

[@boozagesunday7884]

“case so brief you won’t need a briefcase”~ some rapper that i can’t remember

[@turtleitems5898]

@@boozagesunday7884 kanye

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

yup, typical bar, dope though. "Life is a song but you cant do your take over, go head and rock, fella. focus on your takeover"

[@HvitserkBoy]

​@@boozagesunday7884 now that was wack as fuck.. lame

[@biobeleph597]

I'm a rapper named PH and this are some of my favourite lines. I don't shy away, I myself am a critic So when I nail a punchline It fits like acrylic Now you cant touch me if it came to just lyrics Not at this PH, I myself am acidic

[@biobeleph597]

@Willem Dafoe oooh

[@g_clinch]

Damn! You really are acidic mehn 😮❤

[@xavzerrek2743]

Idk if I'm welcome here, but I'm a Poet and you've been helping me for years. I appreciate you bro.

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Cheers, thanks brother

[@specialk864]

“Idk if I’m WELCOME HERE, but I’m a Poet and you’ve been HELPING me for YEARS.” - Xav Zerrek 🐝🅰️®️💰... 🐐, 🚫🧢.

[@scubed4328]

what are you saying 🤣 of course you're welcome here

[@almightydatguy]

Poet is rap words are rap

[@TopBossOfficial]

Definitely welcome here

[@DaveMater]

"Every bar matters". That's an underrated statement 🙌

[@HowToRapOfficial]

👊🏽💪🏽

[@HowToRapOfficial]

👊🏽💪🏽

[@DaveMater]

@@HowToRapOfficial If you have time, check out my latest release which dropped last night. I'd like to hear your expert opinion on it. It's called What Would I Be 👊👊

[@mossiahamartefio3972]

You ain't never see Em icy, but as cold as I get on the M.I.C. EMINEM S A Rap Genius

[@FaultlessKing]

The double entendre of cole under pressure is NOT a double meaning with “cold” how this guy thought. I thought it was pretty obvious, cole under pressure is a double entendre for “coal” under pressure, which is what diamonds are actually made from, thus, cole and coal under pressure both make diamonds

[@joshuamagooda1120]

"Before I lose my mind who am I gone use it on... Utilising this tool I'll execute a line like what i try to do in my youth when I euthenized" That's gotta be one of my favourites from Eminems discombobulated track✌️✌️✌️❤️❤️❤️

[@matthewthompson6455]

What the fuck does that mean

[@taylorcliff6609]

eminems bars are an illusion. just a bunch of consonance with very little substance. he uses his cadence to redirect focus to the middle schemes instead of the punchline. to be honest dude needs to retire and stop being a gatekeeper.

[@CMLemcee]

@@matthewthompson6455 didn’t finish writing the bar tbh

[@Vaga-Bard]

I loved those Carter 2 & no ceilings bars.. they were so simple and yet so clever. Lil Wayne killed it. Hard to believe it's been 15 years tho..

[@pearsonalized805]

“I ain’t no joke. I used to let the mic smoke. Now I slam it when I’m done and make sure it’s broke.” Bruh, when them horns dropped and the God MC’s voice crackled so clearly I instantly got hooked on “rhythmic

[@pokechopwatts4512]

The song that made me try to rap at age 7!

[@emekaabuah6029]

Rakim

[@boxings1]

Cole’s verse could actually have a quadruple meaning. I also understand that “coal (Cole) under pressure, what that make? Diamonds (diamond, Riaa certification)” because he said earlier that he only makes classics.

[@susanwojcicki5714]

i’m not a rapper, but i watch these and they are so inspirational and give me new ideas

[@wippworkinprogressprodigy2677]

Why not?

[@That1PissedOffBoomer]

Also another tip kind of along the same lines if you're writing about something you may or may not know about look up to see if what you say is actually true kind of goes along with looking up words for instance if I'm writing a song And it's like "This here's a song for all the street-poor kids. Homicides go unreported, Little change in the drug game-just dimes getting sorted. Gangsters are at war, kid. Everyone only looks out for numero uno, constant ghetto funerals. Streets cold, foes bring heat, while mothers bring pink orchids"- And see it's so easy to do some research. Are orchids ever brought to funerals? What does a pink orchid mean? Are there even pink orchids? And this may sound stupid but if you want to be taken seriously as an artist and not thought of as another clown with garbage bars, I just suggest doing a little research. And I am kinda shocked that I have seen so many get away with kind of laziness. Quickest way to be not taken seriously is to come across like you have no idea wtf you are talking about. #Knowledgeispower

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Nice addition, Justin! Definitely verifying bars can be a good touch

[@UnvoicedTheArtist]

Ironically, Lil Wayne and Wminem are my two favorite rappers, they have so many examples that it's hard to name. One is Lil Wayne and 2kgolden: "Control the world" and another is Lil Wayne and travis scott: "let it fly".

[@JHARRYX]

Hey Drew, Thank u for bein' the best online rap coach 🔥

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽

[@lyrics2challenged]

Just here to per usual, read comments. I like seeing what other people say and converse on in the threads.

[@Ezrawolf406]

Ive been watching your videos since i was in middle school and always watch your videos whenever i get writers block or feel like i begin to get repetitive its good to have a refresher every now and again i practically honed and learned almost everything i know because of this channel so thank you for the videos and keep doing what youre doing youre a great teacher

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Dope! Glad to inspire you Ezrawolf!

[@stanisawstachuyankeslis8322]

favortie punchline gotta be a ,,real g's move in silent like lasagna", hits like nothing else

[@ShinbrigTV]

Man this is possibly one of the best videos on punchlines!! Always thought I figured it out then I discovered something new!!

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@TheVisioneye]

Wordplay and punchlines are easy to write. I do it and punch every line from the intro to the end, if you want to get good at that, listen to Montana Of 300. I also write triple and double entendre

[@HowToRapOfficial]

He is fire

[@janepatton8100]

Yeah right... 🧢

[@TheVisioneye]

@@janepatton8100 Boy I will treat you to a bag, gone need some Life Savers lame. Hate as much you can he/ candy) go nuts behind bars, oops you thought that was mary… Jane?/ Mary Jane). Mary Jane - candy peanut bar brand Mary - slang for gay. You interpreting what I’m saying is gay To sum it all up, I just played on your name. Talk to me nice lol

[@TheFDream]

Now it's clear that I'm here for a real reason ‘Cause he got hit like I got hit, but he ain't fuckin' breathin' - 50 cent This made me forever be a 50 cent fan

[@vcasper76]

I'm really saucy but you made me more saucy. "Looking in my rear view. I see the world in it. I try to slow down. But I get rear ended" -Lil Wayne

[@ahmadking5229]

Pause

[@vcasper76]

@@ahmadking5229 that's exactly what came next

[@2A.MDREAMING]

Jay-Z - I jack, I rob, I sin. "Jackie Robinson"

[@CBMJK1098]

Nas - “I never sleep ´cause sleep is the cousin of death” Big L - “I’m so ahead of my time my parents haven’t met yet” Big L - “I smash mics like cornbread you can’t kill me I was born dead”

[@hovc3898]

Ive had Writers Block few weeks, now Drew just clicked that on button, thanks for reminding me of all crucial things! Legend! Happy New year fam!

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽

[@novocaine140]

If youre having writers block just put on a timer for 7 or so mins and just write whatever comes to mind without judgement, just to get your creative juices flowing. I got it from jcole i hope it helps stay safe and be blessed bro

[@jasomega2446]

4:20 WOW 😯

[@jasomega2446]

9:04 😮

[@damadhattahttv]

you missed the cole reference cole as in his name like coal which is what is used to make diamonds while under pressure

[@anthonychestnut4013]

The Cole line was a quad. Classics albums diamonds.

[@andrianomenjanaharyheryfet9231]

Always a great help, thank you !😁

[@pearsonalized805]

American Poetry” (rap), a la the DOC circa 1991, it had imagery, entendres, and floetry! RAKIM fo’ life 🥇

[@TheFDream]

You are my favorite KZbinr. Thnx for all the help.

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽💪🏽

[@EW_Studios]

Honorable mention tip that I have: Don’t be afraid to rewrite your song/verse several times. I am working on a Lil Wayne remix (lol no pressure there 🤣) and I’m on draft FOUR m’kay. First draft was a’ight, fourth draft has the ooomph because things have been rewritten and reworked, so like that had clunky punchlines or no punchlines at all are becoming the shining stars of the track because there has been thought, time, and effort put into it. I cannot wrap my mind around how Wayne just… raps. I could never be as witty or intelligent as he is just off the top of my head. I take the Nicki Minaj approach of writing and writing and writing until something is perfect. Great example, I have a song called Beast Mode (by PNK KanD) and one of the lines is “call me the goat cuz I eat nails for breakfast” that punchline wasn’t there until the very last draft. All I knew is I wanted the imagery of eating nails because the song is about being bad ass. Once I was tweaking animal related punchlines, the thought made me fall out of my chair laughing! To be a GOAT is a great thing in this industry, but real goats be eating trash and ish, so like… I’m tough cuz I eat nails but also, goats eat nails, call me the GOAT 😊🥰 🐐 Don’t get discouraged! It all takes practice. Listen to some old old school Em and compare him to new wave Em. EXTREME amounts of growth and Eminem was already a great 💗

[@jmcfar03]

needed to hear this, thanks

[@EW_Studios]

@@jmcfar03 oh wow! No problem 🥰😋 everyone deserves to be reminded that precision and a skilled craft takes time 💕💕💕

[@jmcfar03]

@@EW_Studios for sure. i've made this one beat i really fuck with but both a balance of writer's block and insecurities with my own abilities has got me continuously rewriting the verse ive started it over like 4 times so far and a fifth is definitely nigh once i finally get it down

[@EW_Studios]

@@jmcfar03 my best work isn’t until the 4/5!! At least 🙌🏽 keep at it and remember that no one (in the mainstream) proposes to their fiancé with a diamond in the rough. That gem has been cut down to show off its best parts 💎

[@MarkMcCray-gg3wx]

I feel like songs should be edited at least ten times.

[@Vaga-Bard]

It's called onomontopia. Formation of a word by imitation of sound... Very handy tool. Js.

[@price_theannexkid011]

damn this is a channel on literature . "i got the drive to show for the passion" and this is my first time on the channel.i chose my own BAR.

[@l.o.u.d4043]

Nasty C - Gd up like the Ground floor - but honest all Nasty Cs punchlines hit hard

[@t0xiwe426]

2:28 tell em that im the one! love that song

[@Mellahdon]

Lil Wayne - “I’m staring at a Tramp on lean, made my eye jump”

[@CrazyBarsnLines]

One of my favorite punchlines of all time is " Baby I'm a Slim Thug, the Bossman fellas/ Y'all niggas like LA y'all los' n jealous" 😁😁 Freck Billionaire

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Hahaha nice!

[@jahnelss]

That Criminal line still cold af 😂🤣😂🤣

[@Rosannasfriend]

Bruh this is probably the most important rap video there is. Great job explaining all this.

[@hishighness1842]

Do words that are connected in ways fall into the double entendre punchline? Someone I know made this bar yesterday: "Bumping dreamville fried rice like basmati" It references dreamville member, Bas's song called fried rice and Bas-mati is a type of rice. Is this a double entendre?

[@matthewarendse1913]

Yeah that's a double entrendre bro, sick line bro, mad creativity, love that song tho more for JIDs part tho

[@a-donflores4836]

"Neglected for now but yo, it's got to be accepted. That what? That life is hectic"

[@Shadekay]

You couldnt make your fans throw up their hands if they sallowed their fingers - Eminem

[@nikithomas1286]

"Only thing we 'spect now is violence anything besides this, we playing violins" JAY Z's verse on Drake's Love All Track

[@eliyawahamashi8310]

I camp with a Unit of G's, 50 deep, with Bank rolls of Bucks in the Game sellin Yayo

[@Sageffects]

The punch line thats been on my mind recently is "I'm like a pigeon with precision, Snoopy shittin' from the top" - Snoop Dogg, "Talk That Shit To Me"

[@oreogd1500]

Eminem diss aside, That's a fire ass song 🔥

[@Sageffects]

@@oreogd1500 you do know the beff was squashed right?

[@oreogd1500]

@@Sageffects yeah I know I'm just saying

[@oreogd1500]

@@Sageffects yeah I know I'm just saying

[@Xmarksthespotxx]

The cole line is also a Martin reference so it’s a quad

[@jamarenspence9037]

Biggie “You cursed it but rehearsed it, I drop unexpectedly like birdshit”

[@louielouie9502]

My Dog you saved the best for the Cookies set for the commercials you placed.

[@thelonepo3t]

Congratulations on 500k

[@Que_Beatz]

Well said man

[@Aatteanwilliams5034]

"Only b***h i gave a conversation to is siri".

[@misterneckbreaker88]

Big daddy kane the master of bars

[@kaztheshinigami]

The way Em hard R'd the are in in Not Alike, linking MGK with R Kelly was a crazy double entendre And I'm talkin' to you But you already know who the fuck you are, Kelly I don't use sublims and sure as fuck don't sneak-diss But keep commenting on my daughter Hailie

[@mellinium720]

One of my favorite bars is from evocalist of b.u.m.s. "Haters Will pull the Smith, and drop the Hammer Quik, Buckshots and make Big Boi's do Lil Flips, Money and Drama is like Salt & Peppa, yessir they Mix-a-lot, But it wasn't no Biggie, cuz I once had Faith like 2pac" BARS

[@vladpopescu3045]

"I got styles u cant copy bitch, its the triple six in the mix straight from h e double hockey sticks" now thats flava

[@vladpopescu3045]

breaking in cribs witha crowbar, i wasnt poor i's just po, i couldnt aford the o r

[@vladpopescu3045]

i told him give out the dough, before u get smoked, ow you broke? BOOM BOOM now u dead broke

[@CicceroSanchez]

Hell yeah you're doing a real service

[@Deadpool-px2nm]

I dont rly like using 3 much; i personally feel its lazy for me to try it. Like, i use similes, but im more fond of the other ways to make a punchline (number 4 and number 1 the most) I also wanna try using soundalikes more now

[@glenroymiller3695]

I can't remember my favorite rn but I'm pretty sure it's from either Lil Baby or Polo G

[@MelloDeeBeats]

J Coles face on a video about punchlines is hilarious 😂😂😂

[@activatebpm]

Redman is in my Top 5.

[@M_G738]

Quick off the top. They can not see me, stepped out of the dark made it look easy, i will be on top like lil weezy, but like shady, they wanna make me look crazy, off of the top it was wavy, that girl thick like ya moms gravy, ain’t do it right aka failing.

[@buzzedbrain]

9:30 Yo he is talking about COLE/COAL under pressure. (Coal pressurised become diamonds)

[@chrissupamani]

Murakoze is thank you 🇷🇼♥️🚀🔥🚀

[@kaztheshinigami]

When Weezy said; "She gave me her only but I'm not a fan" Or Em with I'd just be like everyone else in the fucking industry Especially an effing Recovery clone of me (NFing)

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

I just like watching you're videos and a few other channels of course but I need to actually put into practice 😅

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽

[@mudivic]

I got so many flows men my shits like a building, and that shit more stories than your eyes can tell.......By me

[@_joezyy]

This was good stuff!

[@AXELINETYG]

Aww this can help me out a lot more cause I don’t want to be plain in my raps or songs period I drop 2 songs on my page

[@jonathanfolkes1159]

“ Life like this is what your life like try to live your life right people really know you push your buttons like typewrite”. -Ye 😎

[@MORENAMOJALEFA-r5q]

OKAY THESE ARE THE LINES

[@BigSea]

Plus Cole signed to the ROC (rock) = Diamond , Quadruple Double lol

[@DJ_BTDub]

"Im droppin beets like a clumsy farmer...Ill unleash the poison with my music, like a snake charmer"

[@ericisazn1723]

Loved your point of view cuz u held no punches - jay z

[@alvincastillo232]

solid to!

[@emekaabuah6029]

"I treat your bedroom window/ like I reached my full potential/ I peaked" Eminem, Bad guy.

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Haha

[@skessisalive]

The smoke from the lyrical bud make me (cough)

[@hustle_nation_music]

We can't fight fire with fire but at least we can turn the flames some

[@JAYB3ATZ]

nocap got da best punchlines ngl

[@rayn2140]

I have an idea couch to write each one of them in an example to get the full idea and still the video was good hope you do better

[@MatTheLesser]

Brilliant

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽👊🏽

[@TebohoLetsoaka]

"Haters tryna get in my hair, I should keep my head bald like Jada"

[@MickeyMoose589]

The visions i see when travelling overseas with morisey

[@kamalpreetsandhu]

Can you please describe double entendre more precisely how to set it with bars to make a proper meaning

[@joeynoodles7509]

K RINO AHNIALATION OF THE EVIL MACHINE BAAAARS

[@BABYBOYPHATT]

We need you to show us examples like u normally do it with .. writing it out is better explanation for me

[@denzelmarbaniang5822]

A video suggestion on how to write a funny rap song, can u do that sir?

[@demieworld]

"I'm not a businessman I'm a business man" - Hov

[@MC-jn9kv]

JAY Z ACTUALLY

[@deficitmusic9959]

@@MC-jn9kv hov is jay z

[@DrSage9682]

"Heart beating fast let a nigga know that he alive , fake niggas snakes , snakes in da grass let a nigga know that he arrived" J.cole

[@rvrerecords8130]

Off the top of the bar from Drake , “fuck being rich when I’m 40, I’m tryna make it now”

[@alhamdulillah-22-33]

One of My favorite punchlines is “ Boy I be top perro(dog), dogging rappers like a kennel, but I don’t think they get the memo. I don den told em they don’t want this SMOKE cuz if I ROLL UP issa WRAP no RELLO” -Hecava Mecca

[@Sirturban]

“Thinkin bout my future like Ciara but I’m higher than a Seahawk”

[@jmlhnry21]

Yeah, that’s one of the best lines from NoCap. He’s underrated!

[@finessetv9452]

@@jmlhnry21 facts

[@brothertim5138]

Let's talk about how The Game and how his style is just name drops

[@nhvanonerz8244]

Soon as my flow starts i compose art like the ghost of Mozart. Even tho they all say they are real i know that most arent

[@HowToRapOfficial]

👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@jmlhnry21]

I’m sorry if I’m slow, I’m still learning to identify punchlines, double entendre, and wordplay… where does that come into play in your lyrics?..

[@uncledrew7022]

How you miss the coal under pressure, coal being under pressure(in the ground) literally makes diamonds

[@theherbpuffer]

Showing artists like tory lanez and lil baby is a shame. KAAN, Mick Jenkins, Navy Blue, MIKE, Mavi, Earl, Mach Hommy, Westside Boogie, Malz Monday, Saba, Aaron may, J Tek, kota the friend, JiD, Lute, Ray Vaughan, Caleborate, Boldy James, Currensy, Larry June are all great examples

[@legaesebakwane1849]

Wutang - The dum are mostly intrigued by the drum

[@minaamir9161]

diamonds are coal being on high pressure for a long time 9:05

[@mgk_moloko]

🔥