When
you’re listening to rap music, especially by quality artists, the lyricism can
really be deep and much of the content/meaning can go over your head. So you
would have to learn on picking up patterns of how rap interpretation works, and
see if you can use these patterns to reinforce your own work.
So when
it comes to rap, there are generally 4 types of ways you can break down
interpretation:
1) Base
Value. What is said is what is meant. More common in old-school rap, though
this is uncommon in modern-day rap, you can still find it. Many of B.o.B’s
songs (ex. Airplanes, Both of Us) rely on base value.
2)
Symbolic Meaning. In many cases, rap consists of large amounts of figurative
language: usually metaphors, similes, idioms (street-slang/urban expressions,
derivatives and twists) and also slang terminology. In many cases, rappers will
use themes involving everyday objects or processes (clothes, nature, games,
light/dark, geography, driving/traveling, food, jewels) etc. so even if
the lines may make sense by base value, keep in mind that the rapper may also
be referring to something else.
3) Double/Triple Entendre. Similar to Symbolic
Meaning but one step further. The sentence spoken has more than one correct
interpretation. “ex.” by Jay-Z in Lupe Fiasco’s Pressure, “If you force my
hand, I’ll be forced to draw.”
On the
surface, it sounds like a very basic sentence, but you can actually see three
meanings in this sentence. The first meaning, you’ll probably think of playing
cards, right? Your “hand” being the portion dealt to you, and draw meaning to
pick up more cards from the deck. HOWEVER, draw, can refer to drawing a weapon,
like a pistol—which, provided themes within the rap industry, is not surprising
that this could be a possible meaning. The third meaning comes in context with
the verse, where the theme is “artistry” so the meaning could be winking at you
saying, If you force his hand, he’ll draw a picture.
4) Wordplay: The funniest thing
about wordplay, is that in most cases, it doesn’t directly make sense, so don’t
let it stump you. Very simply put, it’s a pun on words. If you can find the
“link” between them, it’s all that matters.
So I realize this is only going to
help but so much so what I would like to do now is introduce you to rapgenius.com, a very well-thought-out website of posting a large variety of
hip-hop/rap music lyrics and offering the service of users and listeners
interpreting them for you. Enjoy!
