At A Glance
| Highlighted Lyrics & Literary Devices | Song Link | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| “It’s big bags bussin’ out the Bentley Bentayga, man/Birkin bag, Bardi back” – Cardi B | Watch Here | Cardi B showcases alliteration and strong grammar skills in her stylish rap lyrics. |
| “Cardi B, bad b*tch, those is f*ckin’ synonyms!” – Cardi B | Watch Here | Cardi B’s use of “redundancy” creates a captivating impact on the audience. |
| “Err-eh-err-eh!” – Childish Gambino | Watch Here | Childish Gambino’s non-human sounds bring a unique literary dimension to his rap. |
| “You a roughneck (I’m a cutthroat)! You’re a tough guy! That’s enough jokes!” – Lil Wayne | Watch Here | Lil Wayne’s wordplay and wit elevate his hip-hop song to a remarkable level. |
| “Warfare in your ear. Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak!” – MF Doom | Watch Here | MF Doom’s vivid storytelling and rhythmic prowess create an immersive experience. |
| “You can run ’til you slip on the sidewalk/And the same bone you pick gon’ break/That’s a motif!” – Mac Miller | Watch Here | Mac Miller’s poetic lyrics reflect his profound journey and cultural context. |
| “Same foul cats who tried to bust me!” – Old-School Artist | Watch Here | An exploration of narrative-heavy lyrics and the connection between artist and audience. |
Hip-hop is poetry. That’s why your favorite rapper just might be a giant nerd! Here are some of the most stylish rap lyrics to reference literary devices.
1. If It’s Up, Then It’s Stuck!
“It’s big bags bussin’ out the Bentley Bentayga, man/Birkin bag, Bardi back”. How’s that for alliteration? Cardi B’s grammar game is as strong as the rest of her!
2. The Queen of Talkin’ Sh*t
“Cardi B, bad b*tch, those is f*ckin’ synonyms!” Cardi B has the crowd hype. So, calling Cardi B a “bad b*tch” is what true grammar nerds call a “redundancy”.
3. I’m Winnin’
“Err-eh-err-eh!” Childish Gambino has always been a literary rapper. As a talented vocalist, it makes sense that he makes non-human sounds come to life.
4. The Diamonds Still Shine
Moreover, Lil Wayne is one of those geniuses who never seems to get enough credit. This hip-hop song is yet another example of Weezy’s astounding wit. You a roughneck (I’m a cutthroat)! You’re a tough guy! That’s enough jokes!”
5. From Venus To Mars Back To Earth
“Warfare in your ear. Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak!” Another vivid storyteller rapping over slick beats. MF Doom is a lyricism legend.
6. I Got a Bone To Pick Like Roses
Mac Miller was a tortured artist who left behind a meaningful legacy because of his cultural context. His talent as a poet illuminates his profound journey as a doomed hero. “You can run ’til you slip on the sidewalk/And the same bone you pick gon’ break/That’s a motif!”
7. Schooled By Older Dudes
For old-school artists, narrative-heavy lyrics, which included flashbacks, were somewhat commonplace. This hip-hop song is a lyrical classic. “Same foul cats who tried to bust me!”
Do you tend to listen to the lyrics or get lost to the beat? Is an artist’s original intention more or less important than the audience’s interpretation? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
F.A.Q
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, such as in Cardi B’s lyric “big bags bussin’ out the Bentley Bentayga, man.”
- Redundancy: The use of two or more words that mean the same thing, such as in Cardi B’s lyric “Cardi B, bad btch, those is fckin’ synonyms!”
- Onomatopoeia: The use of words that sound like the things they represent, such as in Childish Gambino’s lyric “Err-eh-err-eh!”
- Personification: The giving of human qualities to inanimate objects or animals, such as in Lil Wayne’s lyric “You a roughneck (I’m a cutthroat)!”
- Simile: A comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as,” such as in MF Doom’s lyric “Warfare in your ear. Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak! Clak!”
- Cardi B
- Childish Gambino
- Lil Wayne
- MF Doom
- Mac Miller
- Literary devices can make hip-hop lyrics more interesting and engaging to listen to.
- They can help to create a more vivid and memorable picture in the listener’s mind.
- They can add layers of meaning to the lyrics, making them more thought-provoking and rewarding to listen to.
- They can help to set a mood or tone for the song.
- They can be used to make social commentary or to tell a story.
- Listening to the lyrics means paying attention to the words that are being said and understanding their meaning.
- Getting lost to the beat means focusing on the rhythm and melody of the song and letting the lyrics wash over you.
- There is no right or wrong way to listen to hip-hop, but both approaches can be enjoyable.
- The artist’s original intention is important because it gives the listener a starting point for interpretation.
- However, the audience’s interpretation is also important because it can reveal new meanings in the lyrics.
- Ultimately, the meaning of a song is up to the individual listener to decide.
I tend to listen to the beat first and get absorbed. And then the lyrics. If the lyrics speak to me, then the lyrics become the reason I share the song. The artist’s intentions are important but once the music is heard by the listener, those intentions are lost. Just think about the negative pushback an artist receives when his/her song creates media hype (or more likely that the media caused the hype about the song). The excuse becomes, “Well, that was not my intention when writing that song.” And then the apology to the audience comes as a result… because no body wanna lose any record sales…. (I mean, no body wants to offend others).