At a hip-hop concert, the MC is the person we come to see.If you want to become the best rapper you can be, you need to learn to develop your style and technique, surround yourself with talented people, and perform original material that gets the crowd pumped and moving.For more information, see the first step.
Step 1: Listen to as much hip-hop as possible.
If you want to learn to MC properly, you need to immerse yourself in the sounds of hip-hop.As the master of ceremonies, you will need to be the most skilled rapper on the stage.Listen to rap from the Dirty South, New York boom-bap, old-school rap, West Coast gangsta rap and the classics.It's the best homework you'll ever get, so get studying.If you're interested in story-telling, check out Raekwon, DMX, Nas, and Slick Rick for their ability to spin a compelling yarn out of rhymes.If you like crazy imagery and stream-of-consciousness word play, listen to Ghostface Killah, Aesop Rock, and Lil Wayne for their ability to catch you off guard with strange rhymes and surprises.If you like hip-hop with hooks and lyrics that are unforgettable, you should listen to Rakim.
Step 2: There are lots of rhymes to write.
No one wants to hear recycled rhymes or weak stuff from other rappers, no matter how cool you look or how much money you have.If you want to be a proper MC, you need to start by writing the most creative, unexpected, and catchy rhymes that you can.Get a rhyming dictionary and revise the rhymes you write to make them more exciting.Do not use obvious rhymes to pad out your verse.If you're not actively working on writing a song, try to write ten new rhymes a day.You might have something to start with when you get a beat you really like, or the lines might develop into their own song.
Step 3: Take a few moments to practice your flow.
If you can't rhyme it to a beat, it will not play.Great writers of rhymes are more likely to succeed than rappers who stick to the flow.You can watch other rappers freestyle over beats that you like.There are many other rappers doing a freestyle over the beat of a hit rap song.It's a good way to understand the differences in style.
Step 4: Listen to a lot of beats.
You should spend a lot of time with the beats you try to rap to, letting them linger in your mind before trying to force awkward rhymes into them.Play with different rhyme schemes.There are many ways to jump on a beat and you might not jive with every beat you listen to.Whenever you can, find producers who make beats you like and use their rhythms.It might blossom into a good working relationship.
Step 5: It's freestyle.
The best MCs have the ability to make unforgettable rhymes straight off the dome.You're not born with freestyling, it's a skill that comes from somewhere.You can learn to fit in spur-of-the-moment variations on the set patterns that you've developed by learning to develop a cache of rhyme words from which you can deviate.You should have a store of one-liners.If you have a good end-line, you can come up with good lines to lead up to it, rather than using your good line as a jumping off point.Just spit.When you are alone, start rhyming when you think about what you're doing.Don't worry about how stupid you sound, or that it makes no sense, if there's no one around to hear.If you freestyle for five straight minutes without losing the beat, you'll have at least a couple of great lines you can use later.
Step 6: Get your facts straight.
If you're a teenager from the suburbs, it's probably not a good idea to rap about your business.It's important to seem real on some level, even if you can't stretch the truth.People need to believe that you're saying things that come from the heart.Even rappers like Die Antwoord, who are often questioned for being some kind of joke, are serious hustlers who use social media and preconceptions about what hip-hop looks like to their advantage.They can spit.Realness should influence your look, but music should come first.A fresh look that represents your music visually is what people will gravitate toward.Look good.
Step 7: Be something different.
It will be hard to get people to listen to your songs if you don't have anything to say.You don't have to be Shakespeare, but you must be able to combine words and sounds that people will want to listen to.Listen to a lot of rap.Other rappers don't talk about the angles in popular topics.If other rappers are afraid to go, go there.Explore new territory.You can rap about where you come from.Freddie Gibbs is unique because he's a technically flawless rapper who raps about Gary, IN, an unexpected and unique place to set a rap song.It makes him unique.
Step 8: A distinctive style is what you should build a crew with.
You will be the master of ceremonies, the controller of the mic, and probably the most skilled rapper, but to make yourself stand out, you'll need some help.You will also need someone who knows how to mix and scratch.If you want to back you instrumentally, you need someone who digs your music and knows how to hold it down while you perform.It's a good idea to find someone who already has all the necessary equipment for DJing.Listen to some local DJ nights and see who catches your attention..A hype-man adds another layer of texture and volume to your songs.Check out live videos of the Beastie Boys to see how they come in on the rhyming words to emphasize the song, or how Flavor Flav rocks the stage in early Public Enemy tracks.They're not the main rappers, but a good hype man has stage presence and charisma that makes for a great performance..If different styles and flows were included on the same track, the Wu-Tang Clan would be even better.You can find other rappers who have slightly different styles or personality to collaborate with in your performances, giving you each an extra element to play off of.
Step 9: The people should be moved and pumped up.
You are the main attraction.People are excited about the show if you own the stage.The pressure is on because the DJ has to keep the beat moving and the hype-man is there to back you up.Banter with the audience to get their attention.Once you've coached them on the chorus, let the DJ drop the beat and let people sing along.You have to be into the music if you want people to like it.Look like you're excited to be on stage by moving around and feeling the beat.People will look the same way if you stand still at the mic stand.
Step 10: Be confident on stage.
You should feel confident in your abilities and music if you're well prepared, so you can put on a great show for the people.It's time to shine.Give them a performance they will never forget.Make sure you memorize your lyrics and practice using the mic so you can be confident that your performance will go off without a hitch.If you're trying to remember all the words, it's hard to perform with confidence.It's important to check the mic before you perform.It is part of the work of performance to make sure everything is ready for the show.Don't blow off the pre-show responsibilities and be a fake rock star.Be a professional.You should always go on stage sober.Don't party after the show.
Step 11: Don't be silent, be clear, articulate, and loud.
It will be hard to get into your music if you're too quiet or muddy.Rap shouldn't sound like an adult from a cartoon.Make sure your vocals are loud enough to be heard from all corners of the room.If you can't keep your voice up while you perform, you should read magazines and books loud.It will be worth it to make your performance better.
Step 12: Keep in touch with your fans.
At your shows and online, interact with your growing fan base.The MC will be the face of the crew, so you need to take publicity seriously.You should stay out after your gig to meet people and sell your stuff.Encourage people to respond personally to people on social media.More so than any other group of musicians, rappers are known for taking control of their social media and working it to its fullest potential.You're just as likely to get a record deal from a popular video as a successful one.