Kendrick Lamar Teaches How To Write Rap Songs Faster In 3 Steps

[@HowToRapOfficial]

COMMENT: What’s the fastest time you’ve ever written a full song?

[@Freedom-kh1sd]

sub 20 mins - blank page to finish

[@zt7706]

Damn near freestyled an entire song

[@ETK254]

10 minutes

[@3lectric220]

0.00000000000000001 secs

[@elexterminadordehaters1800]

20 30 minutes but I wasn't convinced of it 👀👍

[@dubg7likemike]

It makes life fun when you're always in the zone thinking of songs

[@cherrypieconsumer4982]

True

[@natebrady414]

Yeah

[@sdavid2000]

Bedford?

[@darkskinwhite]

even better when it's an album

[@boookythegod]

I been rapping since 03, I’m 28 now and a 95 baby… I say that to say, I write whole songs in like 10-30 min, and I NEVER use other songs as reference or “ library “ to pull ideas, I just listen to the beat and let it tell me what words to write. Ain’t no method, if it doesn’t click instantly, that ain’t the beat or you not in the mood at that moment.

[@timsee129]

Facts

[@GRACE7-7-7]

Facts

[@midnyteeetwelve4779]

Literally

[@migueltapia9523]

How u. 95 baby and 28 bro 😂😂 I’m a 94 and berly 27

[@boookythegod]

@@migueltapia9523 95.. +5= 2000+22 = 2022… 22+5=27. Are we not in 2022? You can’t be this stupid, you fr? My birthday a month away, that’s why I said 28 btw, but you the only weirdo who has sum weird to say lol and before you say anything about exacts and shit, I rather round up because it’s a month away 🙏🏽

[@ikejay909]

Wrote a song a handful of years back in about 15 minutes. Later that year in school I had the front row singing the chorus from memory at the talent show. A very high moment for me.

[@mantaanafm]

keep going make more hooks

[@alonzomor112]

@@mantaanafm 😭

[@ilovebrendo1630]

This reminded me when I had people playing my music in the hallway in school and writing my name on walls I know how you feel that was a very high moment for me too 😂

[@nomoru6451]

Man I could only imagine the feel brotha

[@strifepeace8642]

Oh thats pretty much every day 4 me, but there you go... grasp that energy, that vibration

[@d.michael372]

He may write raps fast, but he takes his precious time releasing projects. Take note!

[@oldjay8008]

Well said.

[@pansexualdickhaver6878]

It’s because he’s a creative and takes the art serious. He doesn’t just rely on lyricism lol

[@yagirlsfav6849]

Too much of anything is either bad or annoying

[@HealtherSkelter]

He’s only credited for writing one of his songs solo…. Yet he wants to diss drake for collaborating with a writer by saying drake has a ghost writer is wild 😂

[@thescanlon]

You know he’s crazy critical too cause he’s got countless songs that never came out that would’ve been hits for almost any other artist

[@mrjonesraps]

My process can fluctuate. Some songs I can write in 10 mins, some take me 8 months. I've found that the quick ones tend to actually be better. The ones that take too long, I end up dwelling on them and second guessing myself.

[@emilylewis9173]

Wow I'm so glad your a fan of mine , I'll never forget the love I got from all my fans love y'all so much ❤️

[@corythomas5228]

I think that's cuz of hearing it so much, you/i tend not to like as much and start judging every lil word

[@rehshen]

Thts a fact bro the better ones are the ones you find yourself getting ideas easily

[@druSLR]

3-4 hours full song Hook, verse, laid down, and a premix. Was feeling so inspired that day. I’ve been working with a new group of collaborators that push me to be better every session and now I’m writing verses in 30 minutes to an hour. Gonna keep working to make that faster 🙏🏼 to everyone in the comments chasing your dreams.. KEEP GOING! Y’all got a fan in me and I love you all 💜 Peace

[@yoricco6327]

Looks like you fell off hard or never got started Cuz your last song was 5 years ago

[@druSLR]

@@yoricco6327 wait on it cuz

[@Kickstar44]

I lost at least 2 years trying to become a rapper. I started as a rapper when I was 20 (around 2000) (rapping about my views, my environment, etc). And after 4 years of hard work, I realized that I can't deliver what people like (at that time). So I tried to be the rapper that people like. That was one of the worst decisions I ever made. I lost my way. When I realized that was the cause of a lot of problems in my life, I turned back. Since then it's been a very personal thing again and since then it's back to what it should be for me. And that's exactly what Kendrick said about it. A way to understand myself and the world and to share this way with others, if that is or becomes possible. But the most important thing is what you do, not whether people like you for it or not. I've become very radical about that. Of course, it's like a game of bingo. No one can tell you if anyone will ever be interested and if you can finance your life with it. But either you are an artist or you are just a performer. That's the difference between realness and fake for me. Realness works regardless of what comes and with full dedication to the extreme. You have to be willing to do that to become professional, in the sense of being an artist, not a moneymaker. Thanks for that video and the importend message.

[@UnvoicedTheArtist]

The shortest I've written a song was about an hour. This video is helping me to stop waiting for that moment when I'll hear a hit and write a banger but instead play many beats and try to write to all of them. Thank you and I wish the best for every one of you artists out there. Keep grinding! 🤙🏽

[@mmafan9340]

I've recently just started writing raps 40 hours a week because of what I saw kendrick say in a previous video and it has payed off so far started being able to write songs in one day rather than spending 2 weeks so hopefully I'll be able to get to 30 minutes

[@jujubeanz009]

This is the mindset I have. I’m always rapping and writing. Going back tweaking verses that I thought were hot. Reshaping and reforming. Taking verses that fit better structurally on a different song and replace that verse.

[@projectterranova]

I'll see you at the top brother, and I thank you because you're a major factor in how I got to where I am and where I'm going. Bless!

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks Terra Nova!

[@its_henlxy333]

🔥🔥

[@joonxciv]

in terms of “delivery” I really feel that Kendrick and many great artists dont actually “write”…. They are capturing a message they were sent from the source of their lyrics as if they are a vessel to “deliver” that message

[@p3memes]

Holy fucking shit Drew I hope you read this The question you asked at the end of the video: I used to watch this channel when I was in grade 2017 because I wanted to get into rap. I stopped for a bit but now my friends and I made an album for fun and I needed help. I started watching your channel again because I remembered your name. When I was making a song with my friend, I sent him my vocals so he could add to it and send back. I would then upload the song to the album. But when he sent his verse to me, I was shocked and a little embarrassed because his was so good! So much better than mine, too. So, on the day of the premiere, I re wrote my whole part on my 20 minute lunch break, and recorded it as soon as I got home. Was so happy with it I felt proud to show it off and my friends loved it. I just want to say thank you, and that your video's do work!!

[@kideternity4342]

All of these, can't believe I was doing some of them and not realizing. But I grew up a creative. But I do know one thing and this is being a child prodigy in the saxophone; Practice, Practice, and practice some more. Form 6th grade to 8th, those were two very different people. My band teacher expected nothing but the best and my twin sister and I were put with the best when we were only in 6th grade. By 8th, we were the best. I would put money on those kids over any adult at that time any day. But I was 9 when Kendrick was doing all this. Writing stories, articles, songs, playing music, drawing, you can use these things to do that. I do all of those. I'm going to take these and the courses. But being the best isn't about talent alone. It's the work you are willing to put into that talent to better it.

[@michaeldaniels5927]

One of my best songs took me 4 days to write but usually i can write a song in an hour but i like to think about word placement, metaphors, entendres and rhyme scheme.

[@johnbarfield4340]

See, that’s what I like about rappers like you because you guys are geniuses you guys are absolutely meticulous with all of your stuff you like to think about all the stuff respect, brother respect

[@johnbarfield4340]

And I’m not being sarcastic either. It’s very rare for a rapper to be absolutely meticulous about what they do.

[@Letsweletse]

5 minutes. I found the beat surfing KZbin. Based off of the melody of the beat, I came up with a chorus and a mood to go along with it. Which made it so much easier to write lyrics because I just spoke about something I experienced. I now live my life from am "experience" perspective. Rather than achievements and accomplishments. I prefer the experience of something over trying to achieve something like being the best. I want to be the best, I want to win Grammys, but I want to enjoy making the project that can potentially win me something. It's a factor that's not really spoken about. The fact that focusing entirely on winning something blinds you from enjoying the experience of creating something.

[@Valuable-Shorts]

What’s the beat surfing KZbin?

[@niko_cochise]

This was actually fire content for upcoming artist! SALUTE!

[@SkylerJuan]

23min. Full song. Circa 2011. And it was one of my favorite songs on that mixtape and one the crowds I performed for always loved.

[@dk4poetry]

I love jotting down notes on my phone and iPad whenever inspiration strikes - you never know when a great idea will pop up! When it comes to writing my poems, I like to freestyle and let the words flow naturally. It's a fun and spontaneous way for me to express myself through my art.

[@nathmukherjee8865]

Great video man 🙌🏽 so many great tips in here. Love the “honesty is the best policy” one so much

[@olokoibrahim4266]

Have been writing for months, but still finding it hard to get something out of it. I will be back to drop my testimony I promise.

[@kxnggeno]

these tips def work...I've used these strategies in my own way subconsciously before watching this vid. I think my fastest time writing an entire song was maybe 15-20 mins and that included 2 verses hook and a bridge. hasn't been that quick but I can still get too it when need be!

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thanks for watching and commenting Geno!

[@Hi_Ceejay]

I actually learned how to rap from this channel, I hv a beautiful voice and rapping really helped my songwriting

[@deficitmusic9959]

You have a beautiful voice? 😂

[@yakikadafi3178]

To me it’s easier to write when it comes from the heart

[@goefirminc7906]

Throw on random instrumentals write at least 4 bars to each beat as practice. On writing technical when inspiration is a miss. Worked for me

[@rayrayalmightyone]

I appreciate you mane! I needed this mane! 💯🧘🏾‍♂️

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽

[@lilhar9678]

His voice itself sounds so good and smooth just speaking

[@Thaonlygrizzlar]

I live and breathe, always trying to get out of my comfort zone, filling them pages! I’m way past step 1 and I can happily say I can come up with some bars in less than 10mins. Writing is so much fun😫

[@cheddaromero]

Wrote a few songs back in 2020 and took 15 minutes each. Eventually put them together as an EP. It’s like you said in the 3rd point, I was coming from a place of honesty about what I was feeling at the time. More of a stream of consciousness as I wasn’t focused on the rhymes schemes only saying it like it was. When I read the verses back over I realised there was some crazy flows and rhymes I didn’t even intend to do. I remember a Wayne interview when he spoke on a similar thing - just speak from a honest place and essentially you’re a rapper so you’ll know how to make it rhyme.

[@austinwinchester]

If you want to be a musical artist you have to believe you are the best out of everyone. You have to want the results more than anyone. So much that that is all your thinking about all day. And when you listen to music your not just listening your analysing and learning from other succesful artists. You know what you like. Listen to it and truly learn it. Broaden you view on music listen to all genres and listen for words or phrases you like. Listen for song topics. Listen for new ways a viewing certain things and think to yourself how could view something else in that way to create something new. Population is growing and others out there have like ideas bc we all learn the same shit. The world is only gonna get harder in the creative industry and the only way to surpass everyone else is by developing a truly unique style that nobody has heard before. Or bring and old style that nobody knows about back and creating something new with it. Keep listening to music, truly listen. Expand your musical library. Take notes in a place where you can go back and reference all the things you like merge that shit together. Make songs. Make bad songs make good songs make okay songs whatever. This will slowly but surley incease your skill of learning waht not to do. This video is on point and i love kendrik lamar, good content for sure.

[@raghavkumar86]

The 3rd point is 100% TRUE whenever I am honest its easy to write

[@lifelonglearner7771]

I collaborate with people I vibe with that's when the best material comes out..

[@RudyPhile]

3:14 - That's the same " Shot " Stormzy used in his " Vossi Bop " Music video

[@MVangelmx]

I’m just trying to learn how to write songs not just necessarily rap but I feel like knowing the what and when of rap lyricism can make writing any other song easier

[@ag4yt367]

It depends on how vibe to the vibe. The first time I heard Busta's "Touch it " beat, I first 3 verses in 45 -50mins

[@foreign7049]

I'm pretty sure I wrote my single "Sail with Me" (unreleased) in 3ish hours. It has 3 x 32 bar verses, and one 8 bar hook, repeated throughout.

[@call_me_moves5620]

❤❤❤❤

[@cliffordosei3541]

I like this Artist

[@wigsplitter777]

I hope he makes it big hurhurhur idk how people do these corny as comments haha

[@septemberspassion]

@@wigsplitter777 😂😂

[@myyoutubeaccount4167]

@@wigsplitter777 Lmao

[@Thekenyattamusic]

I’ve written in 30 min, but I noticed it sounds way better when I got back and tweak it, I never cared to write fast, I wanted it to be quality.

[@JaySin801]

The one's that come quick are from inspiration, not perspiration, and are usually on their own level.

[@SirButtah]

Losing hard drives hit home. Some good work was lost. Some things that only can be felt, but not indentified. Like, there is a song I remember loving, but I have no idea how it went to even try and recreate it. I know he hurts still over some of his lost work, but he seems to accept it as part of the process. More work won't be polished and released than will. Gems will go undiscovered.

[@tylerwilliams8841]

I can only start with 2 bars and then don’t know where to go after that

[@PatrickE-hz9br]

set the first 2 bars aside, and start another one then add them up.

[@natedog4872]

I’ve been writing little raps on my phone notes, especially when something comes up when listening to music, or when I feel like jumping on the track😙

[@OrangeJungle]

You’re either creative or your not 🤷🏻‍♂️ it’s that simple. Creative types have more throw away ideas in one day than a-lot people do in a year. But it’s all about execution and when you have a lot of ideas usually it’s best to go with the ones you know you can execute.

[@robertrichardson5096]

I dont write rap but i do caribbean music and most it took was an hr, however the advice on writers block is a gem

[@SomuchMooreTv]

It's all about the perfect timing. For me about anywhere in between 10 mins to an hour. Depends on the beat and the feeling.

[@snapshow1989]

A couple of hours. I am always going through what I wrote before continuing on. So I can write 4 bars as I got it down quickly, then I will go through those 4 bars a couple of times until I get more bars, then go through all the bars I have until I come up with more bars. By doing this I also critic the flow to the beat and try and feel out what to say and ensure it all matches with what I currently said.

[@kamalpreetsandhu]

Appreciate ur work in this vdo coach and realy wanna thank u from core of my heart however I'm waiting another vdo about the set up double entendre at last luv this vdo cuz it helped indeed

[@HowToRapOfficial]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@dcproducing4181]

I think playing a character consciously like a rapper like MF DOOM is really good for creativity like some world building and creating your own characters

[@xqkcdaa5smen7y]

Your voice is calming.

[@Kescotti_official]

Ay, this a great video! Thank you musch sir ! everyone gon need to hear something like this at some point! That last one though......

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thank you!

[@owakwaxego1766]

Lord please lead me the right way.

[@neilskreations1264]

1 song a couple of days or more, I’ve since I was a teenager have focused way more on the quality then the quantity

[@uknmar3752]

I wrote a whole song in 15 mins & recorded it the same day.

[@natebrady414]

No wonder it took 15 minutes. That basic ass flow and subject matter 😂

[@thescanlon]

I’ve been writing since I was 22 (5 years) but have been rapping as a past time since I was 15-16. The fastest I’ve ever written a song was about 1.5 hours. The best writing comes effortlessly to me, but I find a lot of times I get stuck after a verse and hook in. It’s a struggle I’ve had since the beginning. I feel like I get too concerned about how what I say is gonna sound and I end up hating everything I write. It’s a weird perfectionist complex.

[@OCmenacemafia]

Sometimes 4min. Sometimes 3 months lol

[@soljohnhead]

Fastest time I wrote a song was about 5 or 6 minutes but I’m 19 now nd I’ve been writing multiple songs a day since I was 14 so when it comes to writing I think I would be top tier at that

[@rise_in_descent]

Outside this being an exception to the rule... The chances of someone having a legit "no show tale" like 1 in 1,000.... If you're going to low-key no brag brag copy and paste a couple of your verses.... Yeaaaah not sure about low-key no brag bragging more like low-key haterism call it braggerism bullshit bragging on some haterism

[@neptunewastaken]

​@@rise_in_descent I nearly had a stroke trying to understand your comment because of how it was written, but i got there in the end

[@rise_in_descent]

Lmao.....

[@bazookabrando]

I'm going to take the challenge on writing my best rap song I can put together in 20-30 minutes and tag both you guys in the uploaded video. The first take on it was a freestyle.

[@thelastemcee6317]

Road 2 Tha Top took me 6 months to write. "The Revolution by Stahlen" is available on all platforms. If the song took you 10 mins then you should've taken 20 mins and made it twice as good. #TheLastEmcee #TheRevolutionIsHere

[@forklift9552]

I appreciate your work

[@HowToRapOfficial]

One love, Fork lift!

[@NickyBankzz]

my song i release in july thats slowly blowing up. To write and record took me around 45 minutes. Mixing and master took a few hours. the music video took 30 min of filming and 2 hours of editing.

[@themanman2351]

Yo I’ve been going through a thing,, I started rapping at 15-16 and use to write w ease Now a days I can’t finish writing a song let alone a verse I either feel like it sounds too familiar or. It’s just straight up BUTT 😭 it sucks but that’s where I’m at rn thank you for your time just needed to put it out there

[@Juice_jojo]

I start to rap at the age of 8 but was never interested in rapping and after I turned thirteen years old or fourteen I started to sing and take rap seriously and after I heard Juice WRLD and King Von music I’ve been singing and rapping day and night till I made my first song and decided I wanted to be like juice WRLD and King Von even though I’m French I started to learn English and many things now the only thing I hope for is go to America and start my music career you feel me

[@marrissiajones5234]

I wrote a poem in an hour last week because it is an honest interpretation of my own experience.

[@Tmanstomp100]

I needed this

[@katcrooks7308]

I don’t write rap but I’m a songwriter and my fastest is probably 8 minutes. I find lyrics come easy but making music is hard because I don’t have the money to go into a studio or anything 🤷‍♀️

[@sd_trojan]

the fastest I wrote, i remember was in an hour for some studio sesh with a good producer

[@infinityiznow]

I had to learn short hand I write songs so fast. I like to watch lightning storms, everytime I see lightning I write a song and it ends with thunder. One time I wrote a song after I recorded it.

[@steelo999.]

Thank you frfr!

[@DerekYakov]

Thanks a lot Bro! Great content

[@HowToRapOfficial]

Thank you, Derek Yakov!

[@mateusztenteges3244]

then i am ready

[@cank1467]

I been writing poem since 12 years old. I think if you start doing rap at age 20 or above you should be genius to be able reach the mindset of rappers. %100 agree all the video.

[@jbdreamz365]

I’ve been rapping for about 5 months and my fastest time for writing a rap was 40 min

[@cameronboykin3501]

I’ve been writing and beat making for only 2 years. I think my best song probably took me 30-40 minutes. Just a short 2 minute thing but yeah

[@SergioBlackDolphin]

This is not about inspiration. This is promotion.

[@Averagejosh-Col]

Thank God for this video, keep on

[@jeremiahaondoakaa5077]

about 5 minutes. its out on my spotify. Auzy Jay - West

[@Surgeon0713]

I write multiple songs and might mix them together but a single song takes me a good 30min

[@Enterthemind1]

Best advice: Thick outside of the box and be methodical. The more complicated the rhymes, the better.

[@H2FrazeMi]

I really needed this, I just droppwd my debut mixtape and I'm looking for inspiration for my next project

[@womackdynasty1390]

Yes

[@victorcobane6644]

Idk about a full song, since I usually write songs in chunks (like one or two verses or a chorus and bridge in a session) but my fastest verse ever was like five minutes, my fastest verse where I was actually expressing emotions and ideas and not just having fun with words was like 10-15 minutes, and I'd say my average these days is around 20-30 minutes per verse

[@jordandows9369]

kenrick is the best rapper of all time. dont talk to me.

[@UncleShad]

love that you threw those clips of Armani in there

[@lijahthekid]

I wrote a banger and forgot my flow and had to change words and messed it up

[@Troublesome91x]

I hate that 😩 What can we do ? Record it as you're writing it

[@TheKrisu98]

Yoo Lets get it

[@celfromcrowncity6144]

I love seeing all the artist in these comments. Used this comment to share a link of your song, so we can all network.

[@detourlabel591]

Everyone is different when I comes to creative process so take this with a grain of salt. You don’t have to work like this if it doesn’t work for you.

[@arishmusician]

Being an Indian singer songwriter I have been doing the same things descirbed in the video wow just wow

[@larryowens5689]

This quickest I wrote a full song was 10-15 on a local bus ride.

[@damauntewalters3]

Fastest I wrote a song was 20 mins.. it’s actually on my page labeled “Stone Cold”

[@trimzbycartier]

If you are true to the art, it doesn't matter what the producer plays, you just write. Its a lyrical exercise. If you need a certain beat to rap then you aren't that nice to be honest. That is what made Big and Pac dope artists. They could hop on anything and just write.

[@JaggzGaming]

The “R” sound is hard

[@fearthereaper1425]

whats the beat at 2:55 ?🤔

[@nathanielrankoko1457]

In my 2 decade experience, You've gotta be able to mix feeling and thought- feel the beat the rest will follow BUT, if you like the beat but can't write anything (WITHIN AN HOUR AT LEAST) to save your life, it's probably not for you OR you should postpone the project.

[@07jackg]

IMO 'Habitual Mindset' > 'Obsessive Mindset'. As someone whose mother has OCD, I find the idea of glorifying obsession unsettling.

[@ZaxkBurner]

I been writing since 7 years old. I lost all my old raps.

[@Hajithepoet]

I wrote a song in 10 minutes before and maybe even less than that. I’d go back sometimes to tweak and edit the flow though.

[@chrisaga6253]

KZbin needs a heart react.