Okay, so this top post is going to be edited over time with my own observations and anything that comes up in the comments that’s valid.

For the moment I’m going to just make some random observations.

Two sections.

Using.
Making.

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Using rap vocals.

1) Rap vocals typically don’t start perfectly on beat, most rappers start rapping before the down beat. Even if it’s just a syllable. But many will go 1 or more words before the beat. I’ve found over time like most I’ve become more “jazzy” and I also follow this rule, not intentionally, it just happens.

2) This pattern carries over from bar to bar, even bridges. It’s not uncommon for a rap bridge to start almost a quarter beat before the bridge is formally supposed to start in a perfect world.

3) USE REFERENCE BEATS!!!! If there’s a “reference beat” where it’s just the vocalist on a beat, or a whole remix, use an AI stem splitter and your DAW’s internal beat timer to find the exact timing for a lyricist. Rap will always pop harder when it’s on the rhythm the artist felt / on beat.

4) On a super simple, classic style rap where there is only one rhyming word per bar, that word will always fall on the fourth downbeat. Even in modern times, it’s right there or very close. 99% of my rhymes it’s right there. Recently I’ve written two exceptions to that rule by accident. So look for the rhyming words when you’re uncertain of the acapella placement, or if you have the BPM right. If you don’t have a reference beat, this is your next go to. The rhyming word or phrase, if long, doesn’t need to start on the fourth downbeat, the rhyming part needs to hit on the fourth downbeat. So if they say “raging blaze” the “aze” is probably on the fourth downbeat.


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For making rap vocals.

Everything above plus:

A) Ad libs : Extend the “volume” of your sound with background ad libs. Talk in the background of your own song. Laugh. Make sound effects with your mouth, not actual sound effects, those are more distracting.

B) Reverb & Chorus : This adds volume

C) “Dubs” : Make a second recording of yourself. It could be every single line, I do that. Or certain words and the rhyming word. I do that too.

D) Whispers : Valid!! Adds volume and you can alternate to these if the lyrics and instrumentation support it.

E) Rhymes don’t have to be Seuss level : “little file” and “pants on fire” rhyme. It’s how you pronounce syllables, consonants and present them. You don’t to hit both vowles and consonants when you rhyme, you can hit partials or just one or the other.

valentine - bad with crime
edible - lead to school
critical - minimal
no stoppin us - sarcophagus

F) More rhymes = More dopeness. Experiment beyond the

Quote: blah blah blah red
blah blah blah dead

Format, go harder.

Quote: Blah book blah red blah took blah dead

And harder

Quote: Blah heybook blah red true
blah say took blah dead whoo

Also valid:

Quote: Wise I took books from hooky touks*
Surprised looks I juked to spooky dukes

*What Gandalf calls the Hobbits when he’s angry

G) LET YOUR WORDS FLOW LIKE RIVERS!!!! as I mentioned, you will find yourself running over and under bar counts, as long as you follow the basics, let yourself go. You’ll get it. Rules aren’t make to be completely unbreakable, but you do generally need to follow them and be aware they are there.

coruscate,

Informative read concerning vocal performances!
Would you be willing to link to a demonstration?
Sometimes hearing what you mean makes it easier to understand.
Thanks :)

Kindly,
Apoxode