Punctuation and Rhyme Scheme
Poetry rap is a style of rap music, which uses a traditional poetic form, as well as rhyme and rhythm, to create interesting and complex music. While rap and poetry have been intersecting since the birth of hip-hop, there is an important difference between the two. Whereas rap music is mainly focused on spitting bars, poetry rap puts more emphasis on the delivery of the content, rather than the rapping alone.
When discussing the differences between rap and poetry rap, it is necessary to consider the different aspects of poetry such as meter and form. Meter, for instance, helps to create a certain tempo to the words and when combined with rhyme, allows the listener to visualize the rhythm and content of the words much more easily. Rhyme schemes also allow for a structure and structure is a key element to rap.
Lyrics, Subjects and Vocabulary
An important part of poetry rap is the lyricism of the artist. One must find a balance between crafty wordplay and profound points or stories. Some poetry rap artists even seek to explore complex literary ideas and themes. Most rap set the stage by allowing the artist to express themselves freely, yet poetry rap offers another layer in that it sets the tone and allows them to make a profound statement.
Much of the content in poetry rap centers around current events, of which the genre is often very vocal in its approach. Additionally, the focus is less on the flow of bars and more on the delivery of the lyrical content. Thus, the language and diction of poetry rap can be quite advanced and poetic.
Power in Performance
The power in poetry rap lies in its performance. A great rap battle sets the mood and produces a certain energy from the crowd. As the artist progresses, the words and emotion become central to the performance. The emotion can become so charged that it connects the artist and audience in a meaningful way.
Poetry rap is all about the creativity of the artist and the use of different elements to tell stories. Here, the artist is less concerned with making bold or extreme statements and more about uplifting the spirit of the audience.
Music and the Beat
Observing how music and the beat work together is an important factor in understanding what separates rap from poetry rap. In rap, the beat is the central piece and carrying out the rhymes and schemes. In poetry rap, however, the beat is more of a compliment to the writing and emphasise the lyrics as it has a more central role.
The artist can take even more of a chance when it comes to including different instruments and melodies in their song.
Sound
Sound plays an important part in the poetry rap genre. Where traditional rap is recognized by its ability to stay on beat, poetry rap is marked by its ability to break beat. This is because the artist’s emphasis is no longer onbars and word flow, but on complex word play and stories.
For this reason, poetry rap can often feature more unexpected instruments and effects. It is through the use of these elements that poetry rap distinguishes itself from traditional rap. A perfect example of this is artist, spoken words.
Spoken word
Spoken word has its own unique style that combines rap and poetry. The key difference here is the delivery of the words. It is more elaborate, but less rhythmic than rap. Language is more exploratory and the meaning of words can often be taken further through metaphors and literary devices.
Often poets will use performance techniques such as sound effects, white space and pauses. It is in these techniques that the artist’s emotion and feeling is conveyed. It allows the poet more freedom to tell their story.
Longevity of Poetry Rap
The popularity of poetry rap has risen significantly since the emergence of rap in the early 1980s. Many now argue that poetry rap has established itself as an independent genre.
Some scholars have even argued that poetry rap is a postmodern art form. It is suggested that it combines the street language of rap, the formalism of classical literature and ideas from the spoken word movement.
Relevance of Poetry Rap
Many modern-day lyricists and rappers still draw from the inspiration of poetry rap. The emphasis on the delivery of the lyrical content allows for a depth to be found by listeners. The artist’s words become more meaningful when an emotional narrative is created.
Poetry rap still has relevance in the modern music industry. It offers an artful expression that encapsulates the artist’s story and emotion. It takes the listener on a journey and holds a particular power in the hip-hop scene.
Reigning Rappers Attracted to Poetry Rap
Many successful rappers have been attracted to the art of poetry rap. Among them are Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper. Both of them have taken influence from the genre and have used it to produce emotionally charged albums.
This shows that contemporary rap stars can still draw from the same source of inspiration, whilst producing modern music. It is here that a certain understanding of the genre can be found.
Cross-cultural Appeal of Poetry Rap
Poetry rap has an appeal across culture, language and race. Its ability to connect to the listeners on an emotional stage sets it apart. Its artistic expression captures the listener and transcends language barriers.
Though rap generally is seen to be based on African-American culture and language, poetry rap is able to expand this. It is this expansion that makes it accessible to different audiences and cultures.
Reality, Creativity and Praise
Poetry rap has the power to represent reality in a creative way. There is no restriction to the creative expression of the artist. Further, the genre of poetry rap is often praised for its in-depth insight and creative wordplay.
It is here that poetry rap offers something that other genres cannot. Through the use of metaphor and symbolism, the artist creates a narrative to capture the imagination of the listener.
Conclusion of Poetry Rap
Ultimately, rap and poetry rap offer an effective way for artists to communicate their thoughts and stories. For some, it may come more naturally than others, but the appeal of the genre lies in its unique artistic expression.
Poetry rap is an important part of hip-hop culture and serves as a powerful tool to convey messages to a modern audience. It is through the use of poetic devices that poetry rap comes alive and can inspire a wide range of listeners.
