Eric Barber Music

 Don't worry if you haven't come up with lyrics just yet. Instead, open up your voice memos app, loop your beat, and start improvising. You could start rapping with random words, nonsense syllables, or any sound you can think of. The point is that you map out the rhythm and cadence for your raps.

 Take care to listen to others rapper ideas. When you record, try out different types of cadences and flowing from one verse to another. Notice how others rappers experiment with different inflections and emphasis on certain beats. When writing a rap song, try your best to start writing with these subtle differences in mind. Just as a drummer would work on their beat emphasis, work on building your rhythmic structure.

 Now that you have the basic rhythm and song structure put in place, it's time to fill in the blanks and start writing lyrics if you haven't already. If you need a place to start, begin with brainstorming everything you want to talk about in your song. Then, decide if you want to write the verse or chorus first.

 This is not the time to be over critical about everything you've written. Let your creative juices flow and fill up the page with lyrics. It's important to incorporate a strong rhyme scheme, but other than that, try not to overthink this part of the process.

 Tracks that sound good are effortless, and you don't necessarily need to sound like other rappers. In fact, most of the famous rappers we cherish today got there by marching to the beat of their own drum. Write as many words as you need to and know that you'll have time to revisit your writing further down in the process.

 You've built a beat, have a solid rhyme scheme, and authentic lyrics. Now, it's time to practice your rapping flow. This will make excellent practice for the recording process and can pinpoint weak words or musical elements that need improvement.

 Record yourself rapping to the beat. Listen back, and think about what lyrics you need to annuncieate more and where you can place emphasis to improve your flow. After all, rapping lines sounds completely different from one rapper to the next, so it's important to cultivate your distinguished style.

 When you make a rap song, it's easy to stop there and become clouded by the process of creation. It's understandable since learning how to make a rap song comes with a lot of time and emotional investment. However, don't let this stop you from realizing your track to it's full potential.

 Once you have a solid draft of the writing, instrumental, and flow, it's time to enter the editing process. Are there any words you want to change before you record? Are two lines not rhyming the way you thought they might? Should you explore alternative rhyme schemes?

 Believe it or not, plenty of popular music goes through revisions before ever hitting the listeners' ears for the first time. Have the courage to take a critical look at your song and edit as needed. If you can't do it yourself, enlist the help of a friend. You can also use online forums to obtain honest feedback on your writing and raps.

 The best way to become a great rapper is to write a song, and then write some more! The writing process can be more tedious than expected, but it's important that you finish your idea from inception to professional release as much as possible.

 Not only is this good practice, but choosing to make your way from the start to the finish line will help you learn so much faster than trying to create one "perfect" rap song. Write consistently and rap often to become of the strongest rapping forces to reckon with.

 You now know the basic formula for building rap and hip hop, but don't let that stop you. Consider these few tips when writing your next set of bars.

 If you're ever feeling low on inspiration, just look to other art. All great artists learn from those who came before them, so do your part to engage in this type of active listening, too. In fact, it's great to have a reference track for every songs you create. That way, you have something specific to look back to you if you feel lost in your creative process.

 Also, take the time to study when you're not creating. Whenever you listen to a great rap song, try to learn from it. What is it about the lyrics that is so impactful? How does the melody of the hook work with the rest of the song? What rhymes stood out to you the most?

 There are plenty of free resources on sites like Youtube designed to help you build your ear. You can even practice rapping along to your favorite verses or look up the written lyrics of a song to see how the speaker builds his or her case.

 Raps are all about the rhymes. Make sure you make an effort to keep things engaging for the listener and switch up your flow or rhythmic emphasis every couple of lines or so. You can also try out entirely new song structures, like swapping the typical 16 bar verse formula for an 8 bar verse.

 It's easy to forget that rap is the dominant genre of so many other subgenres that are definitely worth exploring. To name a few, just listen to how different emo rap sounds from mumble rap sounds from conscious rap. There are so many different ways to implement your voice and verses as an artist, so don't be afraid to experiment with different beats, new inspiration, and new styles.

 While it's important to find a way of rhyming that's authentic to you, know that you don't have to be confined by one particular style over another.

Eric Barber

 Don't forget that rap lyrics need an element of authenticity. Challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone. Remember that being vulnerable often leads to a deeper connection with your listeners.

 Hopefully, this guide makes it easier for you to write your own rap song! Just remember that practice makes perfect. You're sure to write outstanding lines and rhymes in no time at all with the help of these tips.

 Whether it’s rap royalty like Snoop, Biggie, and the Wu-Tang Clan spitting odes to St. Ides malt liquor back in the ‘90s, or Juicy J and K Camp spending last summer imploring “All I need is one more drank, one more drank,” hip-hop artists have never been shy about bigging up their drinking habits in rhyme.

 Over the years, classic hip-hop drinks have emerged from those looking to reflect their image in their booze. Snoop kept it smoothed-out in California with his cup of gin and juice, while over in New York City Mobb Deep were all about embracing the grimy side by supping bottles of “dainy” (the group’s slang for St. Ides) in project stairwells—although Prodigy would later cop to blending his malt liquor with piñ​a coladas. Playing up to his wild, loose-cannon image, 2Pac endorsed the Thug Passion, an effervescent mix of Alize and Cristal that’s still a hit in rap clubs today.

 So now that BBQ season is in full effect, it’s time for the hip-hop-minded grill masters and pool-party people to crack open the bottles and begin mixing up these 12 rapper-approved alcoholic brews. Cheers to all you hip-hop drunkies out there.

 What it is: Putting a powerhouse twist on the classic hip-hop blend of gin and juice, 2 Chainz’s signature drink adds a hearty shot of Jägermeister to the mix. Inspired after taking a personal tour of the Jägermeister factory in Germany, Chainz also spruces up the brew by incorporating freshly squeezed lime juice instead of OJ from a carton.

 What it is: Adding another chapter to hip-hop’s longstanding love of Hennessy, the Incredible Hulk cocktail fuses the cognac with an equal measure of blue-hued Hpnotiq. Allegedly invented at Diddy’s now defunct Justin’s food spot in Manhattan, the drink’s popularity saw it migrating down south, with the No Limit general Master P bragging on “Who Them Boyz” how, “I lean when I walk/ My favorite drink is that Incredible Hulk.”

 What it is: Adding another chapter to hip-hop’s longstanding love of Hennessy, the Incredible Hulk cocktail fuses the cognac with an equal measure of blue-hued Hpnotiq. Allegedly invented at Diddy’s now defunct Justin’s food spot in Manhattan, the drink’s popularity saw it migrating down south, with the No Limit general Master P bragging on “Who Them Boyz” how, “I lean when I walk/ My favorite drink is that Incredible Hulk.”

 What is is: Along with being a strip club dining pro, the rapper Chevy Woods also holds down a position as the Taylor Gang’s in-squad chef. Part of this culinary responsibility includes serving up drinks for Wiz’s team. The Taylor’d is based around Chevy’s staple of Bombay Sapphire gin and lemonade, and involves the use of multiple cups. First, place up to five cubes of ice in a red cup, then add two shots of Bombay. Mix in lemonade “to your liking” while shaking it a little, then pour the mixture back and forth between two red cups exactly three times. “Drink and enjoy,” says Chevy.

 What it is: For years, everyone assumed the Beasties’ “Brass Monkey” was a funky ode to lacing a 40oz bottle of Olde English 800 malt liquor with orange juice. Well, according to a revelation dropped by Mike D two summers ago, during the Licensed To Ill era the trio of rappers were actually getting loose on a pre-mixed canned cocktail of orange juice, vodka, and dark rum.

 What it is: When it comes to his namesake drink, Atlanta’s punchline king is all about keeping things tropical and fruity. You’ll want to start with two ounces of Conjure Cognac—aged for 50-years in Limousin oak barrels, no less—and then punch things up with half an ounce of fresh lemon juice and one tablespoon of sugar. Adding some zip to the drink, dunk three pineapple cubes and a few sprigs of thyme into your glass.

 What it is: Back during the rowdy heights of the Crunk era, Lil Jon’s East Side Boyz sidekicks Big Sam and Lil Bo used to follow their leader around carrying gasoline cans filled with Crunk Juice. The syrupy sweet concoction breaks down as equal parts Hennessy and Red Bull energy drink. Imbibing it ensures hyper behavior from the windows to the walls.

 What it is: Back in 2011, Snoop added to his gargantuan list of product endorsements by signing on to promote cans of Blast by malt liquor purveyor Colt 45. The line of fruit-themed malt beverages came in four flavors, including grape and raspberry lemonade, and ruffled the feathers of critics who widely lambasted the brew as being designed to appeal to underage drinkers. Fight the power by creating a DIY Blast from a can of Colt 45 and Welch’s grape soda. Then let this lurid elixir of youth kick in.

 What it is: Everyone knows the Strange Music head honcho is all about sipping on a Caribou Lou—a drink he’s immortalized in rhyme as a combo of Bacardi 151, Malibu, and pineapple juice; but Tech N9ne also likes to switch it up with a KC Tea when the mood takes him. According to the Kansas City speed spitter, to create the drink you’ll want to combine Hennessy with Sprite and lemon juice. Crucially, you’ll need to stay classy and serve it in a “real big wine glass.” Accept no glassware substitutions.

 What it is: “Funky Cold Medina” is the L.A.-based rapper Tone Loc’s second biggest hit after “Wild Thing.” The track tells the tale of an alcoholic aphrodisiac that can not only cause ladies to swoon, but will also make your canine start showing an interest in humping your leg. The love potion breaks down as equal parts Absolut vodka, Southern Comfort, and Blue Curacao. To this triple threat of liquors, add a splash of cranberry juice and pour the whole sexy shebang over a glass of ice.

 What it is: A$AP Rocky ruled the summer of 2011 with his woozy “Purple Swag” anthem. According to the Harlem fashion killa, the official way to make the song’s titular drink is to grab a polystyrene cup, fill it with Sprite and Promethazine-codeine, then drop in some Jolly Ranchers. Once the candy’s dissolved, the brew’s next level potent flavor emerges and gently ushers you into a state where “everything is wavy and spacey and psychedelic.”

 What is is: 40 Belafonte’s Hurricane is a staple hip-hop cocktail. The original is based around a liquor foundation of Bacardi and Triple Sec, but for a 2016 update on the drink, the Bay Area tycoon suggests mixing up three ounces of vodka and 1⅓ ounces of Blue Curacao, 3⅓ ounces of pineapple juice, with 2/3rds of an ounce of lemon juice. Throw in four teaspoons of sugar, two lime wedges, and some ice, and you’ve got what’s officially known as a Slurricane Blue Lagoon.