WIB Rap Radio Hour # 70 – Storytelling Rap by Thewordisbond.Com on Mixcloud

Today, I want to look at one of the most difficult things a rapper can do throughout the course of a song – tell a story.

Doesn’t sound very difficult, does it? After all, we tell stories all the time in our daily lives. But I am sure you have a friend or two who just can’t seem to tell a story well. Their yarns simply don’t hold your attention. They leave out key details. They rush through parts. They give too much information. Or, it’s just boring and you quickly change the subject to keep things moving. Am I right?

I find that we have the same thing in hip-hop. For some reason, not all rappers can craft a good story rhyme. It’s an art unto itself. It requires a precision to detail in a way that other songwriting does not. Rappers need to be able to establish the story in a rhyme that holds attention, sets up the scene, builds anticipation, and has us yearning to see how it all turns out. That is easier said than done.

I’m sure we have all heard storytelling rap songs. Some rappers will tell a quick story in a verse or part of a verse. For today’s purposes, I am not going to look at those ones. Today, we will focus on songs that complete one story. Songs that are built around a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Songs that are perfect short stories told through rhyme.

Welcome to Know Your History, your monthly dose of hip-hop knowledge. Class is now in session. Let’s start out by looking at the undisputed king of storytelling rap, Slick Rick.

Slick Rick – Children’s Story

and the we will move on to look at these songs

Boogie Down Productions – Love’s Gonna Getcha
Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
Eminem – Lose Yourself

That lesson is now concluded but class isn’t quite dismissed yet.

Let’s talk about stolen rap gear for a moment and what you can do to help.

I’ve had the chance to hang out with Mad Dukez and Fresh Kils and I have to tell you that they are hard-working, down-to-earth, all around cool guys.

It really is a shame to see that someone broke into their tour van and stole all of the equipment they need to write, perform, and make great hip-hop music. And while that gear will probably never be recovered, we can help these artists get back on their musical feet, as it were.

I just threw some money their way. I made a small donation on their Indigogo campaign to help them replace their much needed gear. it seemed like the least I could do to help out some hip-hop brethren.

Time to play the title track from their new album.

Mad Dukes and Fresh Kils – Gettin’ Gasby

And then close out the school day today with these great tracks.

Branded Moore – Admire the Belt
Soundminds – Get It
Ghettosocks / Cesar Comanche – Not Impressed
Tiff the Gift – Many of Me
Kadyelle – Down to the Flow

The Word is Bond Rap Radio Hour – Broadcasting the best in real hip-hop music and talk every week on a worldwide scale!

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