How to Become a Professional Rapper: 14 Steps

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How to Become a Professional Rapper: 14 Steps
How to Become a Professional Rapper: 14 Steps

Video: How to Become a Professional Rapper: 14 Steps

Video: How to Become a Professional Rapper: 14 Steps
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Rap, usually hip-hop, has become a worldwide sensation. With successful rappers creating songs describing their vast fortunes and party lifestyles, who wouldn't want to get in on the act? But more than that, rap is a powerful form of artistic expression that creates music from the complexity of human language, not simply the human voice. Ranging from profane to profound, from rhymes with light jokes to violent tales of urban fights, rap can be about anything – what matters is that the lyrics are attractive and have style. Becoming a rapper is not easy, and there will be many jealousies and competitors willing to make you fail. But if you focus, create great songs, build a fan base and get the right connections, you can become another monster in this “game”.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Learning to Rap

Become a Professional Rapper Step 1
Become a Professional Rapper Step 1

Step 1. Learn to match words with rhythm, rhyme and meaning patterns

At its most basic level, rapping is reciting lyrics with rhymes and the help of a background beat; however, good raps use a wide variety of linguistic figures, such as alliteration, repetition, and puns. Good raps also have dynamism and fluidity, which helps in composing interesting songs that follow a beat.

  • Study poetry, literature and music to understand what is possible.
  • Play a game to learn rap by trying to say all your normal phrases in the form of an improvised song. This will give you fresh ideas and help you develop an instinct for the fluidity of words.
Become a Professional Rapper Step 2
Become a Professional Rapper Step 2

Step 2. Write daily

Write about familiar topics that interest you, but don't be afraid to experiment. Write any lyrics that pop into your head during the day, but also spend time sitting down and composing entire songs with various lines, hooks and bridges.

Write as many interesting rhymes and word combinations as you can. During his career, Eminem has collected dozens of notebook boxes filled with potential rap lines. You should be able to fill in at least one

Become a Professional Rapper Step 3
Become a Professional Rapper Step 3

Step 3. Practice, practice and practice your acting

Having the best lyrics in the world won't get you anywhere if you can't sing them with dynamism, confidence, fluidity and charisma. Practice singing your lyrics out loud and passionately whenever possible. Try different speeds, volumes, inflections and places to stop and breathe.

  • Memorize the lyrics of other rappers who have great fluidity, and try to sing along with them. When you think you've mastered their style, take the instrumental version of your favorite composition and try singing the song without the original artist's voice to guide you. When you can do this, practice the song à cappella.
  • Find out what's interesting about your voice and take advantage of it. Don't try to imitate other rappers – take advantage of their unique sound.
Become a Professional Rapper Step 4
Become a Professional Rapper Step 4

Step 4. Study the big ones

Listen to famous and influential rappers and examine their lyrics. Look for the different techniques they use and how they structure their songs. Decide which styles appeal to you and explore them until you understand the genre well. Learn the differences and inside jokes behind many classic lyrics.

You can be influenced by other rappers, but you don't have to be a copycat. To some extent, you will have to block out all influences and focus on your own music

Become a Professional Rapper Step 5
Become a Professional Rapper Step 5

Step 5. Get some higher level beats

Every great rap song should have a unique, catchy beat to set it apart from all the normal songs that appear on the radio.

  • Buying beat-making programs and equipment can be costly, and learning how to make your own beats is as complicated as knowing how to rap. However, it's worth creating your own beats to have more creative control over the songs and a deeper understanding of the music.
  • If you don't want to create your own beats, you can hire or partner with a producer. Make sure this person is talented; listen to some of her work before buying anything.
  • If you're just starting out and can't afford your own beats, consider getting instrumental versions of popular raps and build on them. Just make sure you follow the rules regarding material rights. And, of course, you can't sing based on other artists' songs forever.
Become a Professional Rapper Step 6
Become a Professional Rapper Step 6

Step 6. Record your raps

You can do this with a professional recording studio; however, with a little work, it is possible to set up a recording studio in your own home.

Make multiple recordings for each part of your song – you're not Jay-Z yet! Don't worry if you make a mistake; you can always use another recording for that part

Become a Professional Rapper Step 7
Become a Professional Rapper Step 7

Step 7. Mix some songs

Edit your recordings and fit the lyrics to your best beats. Work on your songs until they sound good, adjusting the beat and vocals until they completely match.

Name your song. Consider using a recognizable word or phrase from a hook

Become a Professional Rapper Step 8
Become a Professional Rapper Step 8

Step 8. Make your first mixtape

Many people see mixtapes as collections of songs by various artists, recorded for boyfriends or girlfriends. But for aspiring rappers, a mixtape is like an album, only less refined and distributed informally or for free. Once you have a few songs, combine the best 7-15 and put them on the mixtape.

  • Think about the order of the songs on your mixtape. Even if the songs aren't necessarily related, try to create a kind of narrative or emotional arc with the songs.
  • Create artwork for the album. It could be anything – a photo of yourself or just text with a neutral background or abstract art. Get help from an artist if you are not a visual artist.
  • Create your own CD copies and distribute them or release the mixtape online.
  • If you don't have enough songs for the mixtape but still want to start spreading your songs, consider releasing a single. Make sure it's great, and give your single an album-level cover.

Method 2 of 2: Launching Your Career

Become a Professional Rapper Step 9
Become a Professional Rapper Step 9

Step 1. Attend open mic events and participate in rap battles

Get your name out there by rocking out at local open mic events. All you have to do is apply and sing. Be sure to choose events that contain an audience connected to hip-hop.

Freestyle battle is a world all its own. You don't have to be a great freestyle rapper to be a good rapper; however, the freestyle experience certainly helps. Battling is one of the ways to improve your skills and become known

Become a Professional Rapper Step 10
Become a Professional Rapper Step 10

Step 2. Promote your music online.

There is a vibrant world of underground and aspiring rappers sharing and discussing music on the Internet. Simply putting your music on the internet doesn't mean that someone will notice or listen to it – you have to work to promote it.

  • Submit your music to sites like DJBooth and post it to popular hip-hop blogs. In Brazil, the website stagemp3.com can help you with this.
  • Create a Myspace, Facebook and Twitter account. Use these sites to share your music and advertise your concerts and upcoming releases. Build a fan base and keep them interested.
Become a Professional Rapper Step 11
Become a Professional Rapper Step 11

Step 3. Schedule live performances

Hang out on the music scene and try to arrange performances with hip-hop audiences, perhaps opening the show for larger groups. Try to make money from these experiences, but don't be afraid to do some free gigs to get your name out there.

Become a Professional Rapper Step 12
Become a Professional Rapper Step 12

Step 4. Get an entrepreneur

Once you've attracted an audience, you'll need to get help taking your career to the next level. A business owner can take some of his work out promoting his music, scheduling performances and talking to record labels. Just be careful to analyze whether your manager is interested in your interests, not just theirs.

Become a Professional Rapper Step 13
Become a Professional Rapper Step 13

Step 5. Collaborate with other artists

Rap is not a solitary art – most of the time, you will work with other people, producers, singers or other rappers. Network and build strong relationships with others in the industry. Collaborate with them whenever you can.

  • Taking part in another rapper's song exposes you and your skills to a whole new audience.
  • Having a rapper take part in your work is almost like getting his approval. People will notice your music more if you have notable contributors.
Become a Professional Rapper Step 14
Become a Professional Rapper Step 14

Step 6. Make a deal with a record label – or be independent

Getting a deal with a major label is the dream of most rap artists. A deal gives you a lot of resources and puts you on the path to true fame. However, remember that record companies want to make money for themselves, and sometimes it's better to start your own brand or partner with an independent record label.

Tips

  • Do breathing exercises. There's nothing worse than feeling breathless in the middle of a song at a live performance.
  • Never compare yourself to anyone; Be unique.
  • Change the tone of your voice. If you're trying to show off, raise your voice. This attracts the audience, making them listen to your music more. Don't copy other artists' phrases, as this would only show that you are not capable of creating your own rhymes.
  • Remember: not all good rap has to be fast.
  • Sing about real-life topics that people can relate to.
  • Don't shy away from the subject when composing a song.
  • Solicit the opinions of a wide range of people with different tastes to understand how your work will be received by certain audiences. Just make sure these people are trustworthy and will give you constructive criticism – don't ignore their flaws, they like you; they won't scold you because they don't want you to fail.
  • Sing in your own accent. Don't invent one.
  • Be yourself on stage. Never face the public. Just stare at it when you want to sing a strong verse or the next verse in a stanza.
  • Listen to as much music as possible, not just rap.

Notices

  • Make sure your work is getting good feedback from people other than your family or friends before submitting your music to a record company. You want to make a good first impression.
  • Listen a lot to other music genres, but don't copy verses. This will make you an unoriginal artist.
  • Rap battles can be cruel and heartless. Practicing your battle against friends or family can be helpful, but it could ruin your relationship with them if they take your words too seriously.

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