Rap is no less than art and self-expression; powerful storytelling is what makes it distinctive from other art forms. Rap songs are known to deeply impact people's lives and are a revolutionary voice of truth. Powerful writing and themes are what make rap so influential. Verses in the rap song highlight the main idea the rapper wants to convey to the audience.
This way the rapper, through verse, gives a deeper understanding to the listener/audience and can talk about the theme in depth. But one may not always be able to craft excellent verses. A lot goes into weaving a perfect verse, one that can impact the audience.
If you are looking for patterns that help one write a more impactful verse, then you are at the right place!
Here is how you can make your verse much more impactful:
1. Tell a story in your verse with strong imagery
Storytelling is what makes rap an art of self-expression. The verse is one of the strongest communicators of the story; make it the protagonist while you are telling it. For the verse to sound more impactful, use strong imagery and powerful words in the verse.
In the rap song, the verse is something the audience almost always remembers. So tell a story that walks them through it and you are a step ahead in making your verse impactful.
2. Use rhyme scheme, figures of speech, and poetic language in the verse
Not just the storytelling, but many factors also make rap songs impressive. These are rhyme schemes, figures of speech like alliteration, metaphor, and poetic language that help build the dramatic quality of the song. Let's talk a little more in depth about the factors that make the verse more impactful:
- Rhyme Schemes
The rhyme scheme is a pattern based on which every line of stanza in the rap song ends. It is a deliberate attempt of rhyming the song, to compose it interestingly. It also helps you structure the scattered parts of the story for it to be sophisticatedly placed together and to be compiled in a rap song.
- Figures of Speech
As simple as it sounds, “ordinary words cannot impact extraordinarily”. Using overly simple language is not always the best option. Rap has stood out as art in the times of revolution: real stories and experiences are converted into inspiring songs for people to take inspiration from. Deviating from the accustomed language, even when you are talking about your own experiences or any sort of reality, will help you make the rap songs more effective. The message you are trying to convey will reach your audience all the more effectively if you use ingenious language to put it forth. Here are some figures of speech that are used by rappers the most to give a strong poetic effect to rap songs.
--Simile and metaphor
--Alliteration
--Hyperbole
--Personification
Read all about figures of speech here.
3. Create a powerful hook
The hook is the initial verse in the song written mainly to catch the attention of the listeners. A powerful hook can be a game-changer in a rap song. The powerful beginning gives a head start and changes the way the listeners perceive it. Keep the hook short, something that sums up the whole idea of the song and compliments the beat of the song as well.
4. Edit, rewrite, and develop a flow
The first draft is never your final draft. Edit your verse rigorously to make it more impactful and effective for listeners. The best way to see what works for the audience is by presenting your verse to a small set of people and understanding the point of view of these listeners and then editing and rewriting. Once you develop a flow for your song, you will understand which format and style of the verse work well.
There are so many people in this world that would relate to your song. All you need to do is put your idea into a story and present it in extraordinary verses. Making your verses complicated is not at all essential. It should be simple yet crafted with care and designed to leave an impact on the listeners.FrontRow offers a variety of courses by rap experts like the Gully Gang, Shah Rule, and Sultan Nation. Ready to kickstart or further your rap journey? Click here!
