How Can You Start Your Rap Career? 

Becoming a rapper has popular misconceptions, and the reality lies in a starkly different space. It isn’t just spitting rhymes over a beat, being gangsta or wearing designer clothes, and flaunting flashy jewellery, and expensive cars. Hip-hop and Rap have exceeded the genre norm and are progressing towards being an art form that connects people tells stories, and creates impact. You don’t need to be a rapper prodigy born with a natural knack for rhythm and words to understand the art form. It takes much more than that. Let’s take a look…

We’ll be taking a look at the following:

1. What Skills Do You Need To Be A Rapper?
   
   
2. How To Develop Rapping Styles And Flow?
   
   
3. Should You Perform In Live Shows and Local Events?
   
   
4. What Role Does Social Media Play In Launching A Rap Career?
   
   
5. Our Final Thoughts

What Skills Do You Need To Be A Rapper?

The main focus in pursuing any art form is the skillset. Recognizing the skillset needed and honing the skills you possess is the first step towards the goal. Rapping has its roots and a strong foundation set in rhythm, poetry, and lyrics. Rappers like Eminem have been on top because they have excelled in these skills and showcased what skill they are best at (in Eminem’s case, Wordplay and Lyricism).

Fun Fact: To expand his vocabulary, Eminem used to regularly read a dictionary as a kid and continued that practice till he was well in his youth.

A unique voice, flow, and style are crucial to stand out and express as a Rapper. Here are a few essential skills to develop:

• Rhythm and Timing:
  Rapping requires precision, and the beat is your best friend! Your favourite rap songs use rhythm effectively. The basic understanding of rhythm, syncopation, and tempo is crucial while performing live or recording in the studio.
  
  
•  Lyrical Creativity:
  Writing is at the core of rap music. Writing powerful and relatable lyrics might work but rap also requires rhyming and an understanding of meter and rhythm. A strong vocabulary and the ability to wordplay with metaphors, similes, double entendres and other figures of speech will give you an edge.
  
  
• Confidence and Stage Presence:
  Rapping, even if done in the studio, is a performative art. Even the best-written rhymes can fall flat if not delivered with conviction. You need to understand the energy and feel of the track and decide how to use your vocal delivery. Confidence is what separates amateur rappers from rapper prodigies who dominate the stage.

How To Develop Rapping Styles And Flow?

Rapping styles and flow are what set you apart from other rappers and give your ideas, thoughts, and lyrics a distinct voice and groove. Developing rapping styles and flow is a gradual process and requires experimentation and practice. Listening is a great start to understanding how different artists have a unique and distinct style, flow, delivery, vocal feel, and lyrics. Listening analytically to music can help you understand the artists’ techniques much better. 

While originality is key, studying the styles of established rapper artists can definitely inspire you. By breaking down their delivery, rhyme schemes, and use of pauses, you can emulate their techniques. Just as singers cover other singers and songs, you cover these artists and understand how their technique works. Eventually, you add your own original ideas and find your style! 

The distinct styles of the East and West Coast are a striking example. East Coast rap, based in cities like New York, is known for its gritty beats, complex lyricism, and focus on storytelling. East Coast Rappers like Nas and The Notorious B.I.G., often emphasize intricate rhyme schemes and raw narratives. In contrast, West Coast rap, emerging from cities like Los Angeles, leans heavily on smooth, funk-infused beats and laid-back yet powerful delivery. Rappers like Tupac and Dr. Dre brought this sound to the forefront by blending street poetry with groovy rhythms. The rap might talk about similar struggles but does it in a very distinctive style which makes it unique! 

Freestyling can also help you come up with unique lyrics and experiment with what you write. It is a great technique to think on your feet and make your raps sound authentic and spontaneous. Don’t limit yourself to one genre or tempo. Experiment with different beats and tempos to expand your comfort zone. Doing so will help you discover unique flows that feel natural to you. Try to challenge yourself to freestyle daily, even if it’s just for fun. 

Pro-Tip: Learning basic bits of music production and audio engineering can help you learn how genres work and eventually help your raps and writing become versatile. It does help in the long run when you have to make demos or need another way to ideate.

Should You Perform In Live Shows and Local Events?

Absolutely! Live Shows and Local Events for artists are great launchpads to gain some exposure and build some confidence. Performing in front of an audience allows you to connect directly with fans, sharpen your stage presence, and build a loyal following too. 

If you are unsure of your music or rapping abilities, starting small is a step in the right direction. Begin with open mic nights, school events, or community gatherings. These smaller venues are low-pressure environments and provide you with an opportunity to practice, experiment, and eventually showcase what you are trying to excel at. Hip-hop cyphers are also a great way to experiment and rap freestyle.

Hip-Hop Cyphers are events that gather rappers, beatboxers, and producers together to spontaneously make music together. In recent years, the cypher has also grown to include the crowd and spectators who are integral to maintaining the energy of a given cypher.

Such cyphers and local events also help you network and collaborate with fellow artists. There’s a wide array of people who attend music shows and events. Your act might catch the eyes (or ears) of music producers, beatboxers, fellow rappers, singers, or other musicians. It allows you to widen your horizon of opportunities. Partnering with other musicians or rapper artists can help you access new audiences and these collaborations can increase your reach and credibility. 

Pro-Tip: Events are also a prime opportunity to market yourself. Selling rapper merch, like T-shirts, hats, or mixtapes, helps build your brand while giving your fans something to remember you by.

What Role Does Social Media Play In Launching A Rap Career?

There is an undeniable influence of social media in the music industry. It is the most powerful tool there is and using platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube means that your music can reach people and you can get an opportunity to build a fanbase and genuinely connect with them. 

Posting freestyles, studio sessions, or music videos on social media platforms not only showcases your talent but also lets you experiment with different forms of rap- posting your performances in cyphers or taking up viral challenges can be a great way to showcase your skills. Interacting and engaging with your fans by replying to comments, hopping on live streams, and asking for their feedback can turn casual viewers into loyal followers who’ll show up for your gigs and buy your rapper merch. Authenticity and consistency are key. Fans and industry professionals alike want to see the real you.

Social media is also a prime spot to network. Using platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn to connect with producers, promoters, and other rapper artists gives you a professional edge. When you consistently share your work, you’re opening doors to collaborations and even catching the eye of record labels.

Our Final Thoughts

Learning how to rap and becoming a rapper is a thrilling and adventurous journey. Write your first verse, construct a catchy hook and give your DAWs or the music producer some much-needed exercise! With your skillset and unique style and flow, collaborate with as many musicians as you can and keep performing!  

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!