Let's write a rap!
Cool
Not as difficult as it sounds!
Writing a rap sounds difficult,
but I think you will be able to do it. Let's try.
- STEP 1. Get into groups of three or four.
- STEP 2. Choose a theme: choose something related to the cinema or to music. Maybe you can rap about your favourite film, or your favourite film character; or maybe you can rap about how you love music or how music makes you feel.
- STEP 3. Think about the rhythm. Having four beats to a bar is best. One, two, three, four; one, two, three four…. that's the best rhythm for a rap.
To help you get the idea, here is a video to watch and take part in. Don't worry if you don't understand everything Simon Mole says, you will understand about the rhythm when he starts counting the beats.
Just listen up to minute 2,50 approximately: that will be enough.
Simon Mole Poems, raps and writing games for kids Licencia YouTube
OK so far? Let's start writing.
- STEP 4. Now you have the theme and an idea about the rhythm you are going to rap to.
Let's start choosing our words. You need to think of words that relate to your theme, and then words that rhyme with them.
For example, if I'm writing a rap about music in general I could use these words:
tune - melody - fun - happy - party - sing - dream
To find posible rhyming words, there are some great rhyming dictionaries online such as "Rhymer". Try it.
For "tune", the word "moon" is one possibility. Here is a line we could use:
"I like a new tune,
1 2
when I'm looking at the moon"
3 4
Underneath are the beats of the bar, where the stresses should go on the words.
IMPORTANT: Don't worry if you don't like what you write at first! You can change it when you get a better idea. That's what writing is all about! It is a process of trial and error.
OK, now how about "sun" to rhyme with "fun"?
"Music is fun,
1 2
when I'm looking at the sun"
3 4
These are really silly words, so I hope you can do it better than me!
But even so, rapping with these silly words will be fun!
(In the language rappers use, saying the rap is called "spitting the words"!)
Music is all about enjoying yourself, so never mind if your rap isn't great, and just have a good time making it up. Your teacher will be pleased with you for trying, I'm sure!
- Try to write two more lines of this same length, and that will be long enough.
EXTRA WATCHING AND LISTENING
If you like you can watch this video with more ideas about how to write a rap:
Charanga VIP Studio Sessions Write a rap Licencia YouTube
- STEP 5. Practice saying the lines of your rap out loud, keeping to the four stresses so that it flows nicely. If it doesn't work very well and you need to change something, no problem! Then, when you all think your rap is OK, the three or four of you in each team can practice rapping in unison.
- STEP 6. Now finally, to make your rap perfect, choose a beat on YouTube. There are many of them: if you type in "Easy rap beat" or something like that you will find one. Now you have to practice a lot to make sure your rap sounds as perfect as possible. Memorizing it will be a good idea, it will flow better that way.
- STEP 7. MAKE A GOOD ARRANGEMENT.
Repeat the whole rap three or four times running before fading out the YouTube beat and finishing: that is fine and your audience will enjoy it more if it isn't over too soon! And this way you can make an arrangement to vary the performance.
For example: imagine the three of you in the team are called Diana, Julie and Mark. You can arrange it this way:
First time round - all of you rap in unison all four lines.
Second time round - Diana and Julie rap on their own.
Third time round - Julie and Mark rap on their own.
Last time round - Diana raps the first line; Julie raps the second; Mark raps the third; all of you rap the fourth.
WELL DONE!!!
Don't forget to tape yourselves if you are pleased with your rap.
Maybe you can perform it for other classes.
Or save it so that you can include it in your
FILM MUSIC FESTIVAL
at the end of this project.
Do you like rap? See if you can do this one
EXTRA ACTIVITY
You are going to need a lot of practice, but do you think you can "spit these words"??
Go for it!
Amon Sounds Rap with me kids - Mr.C.Lyrics Licencia youtube
What would you say this rap is about? Get together with a partner and see what ideas you come up with. Your teacher will ask you to talk about your ideas in turn.
RUBRIC FOR RAP
Up to 4 points per category:maximum mark = 16 points |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Team work |
Has much difficulty working in a team | Manages to work in a team but there is much room for improvement | Good at working in a team | Excellent at working in a team |
Ideas and initiative |
Almost total lack of both | Has some ideas and initiative but needs to improve | Shows ideas and initiative and takes part well | Puts forward many ideas and is a leader in initiative |
Musicality - rhythm |
Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
Performance |
Didn't take part | Was weak and unsure during performance | Performed quite well and covered up mistakes | A fine, confident performer |
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License 4.0