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Mrs. Sims (formerly Ms. Hardison) |
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Resources
for Writing Rap and Hip Hop Lyrics Information Guide for Middle, High
School and College Students by
Jennifer Hardison Sims The print and online resources have been reviewed, primarily using the
holdings at the San Diego Public Library. Only the best or most unique titles
and sites have been included in this information guide for Middle School and/or
High School students. Check online catalogs to reserve or request books at your
school and public libraries. The web information can be accessed for free
unless the description says it comes from a subscription database. Subscription
databases such as ProQuest, InfoTrac, KidsEdition and *Some sites have been rated due to the graphic
nature of their content. Before browsing this guide please scroll down to see
the ratings key at the bottom of this page. How to Write Lyrics Woke up this
morning right out of a dream Reached for
my pen and pad because my mind was on a rhyme scheme… -Lyrics from
the Beastie Boys, "Flowin' Prose" (quoted in Slam edited by Cecily Von Ziegesar) Beginning Songwriter’s Answer Book: Answers to more than 200 question
songwriters most often ask, by Paul Zollo c1993. Zollo writes, "because [a]
song is made up of words, you want to be as experience with words as possible.
And reading is simple a way of putting fuel in your tank." He gives clear
suggestions for writing lyrics although he is heavy on folk music references
that may be unfamiliar to today’s students. The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis.
This book received rave reviews and is suggested for young adults as well as
more experience songwriters. Although it suggests a squeaky clean style, her
expertise as a non-performing lyricist is clear and easy to understand. Slang Dictionaries Cassell’s Rhyming Slang by Jonathon
Green c2000. Dictionary, and thesaurus that gives the
definition of over 3000 slang words, and their origin. Use this book to create
rhymes. PG13-AD Hip Hoptionary (A hip-hop dictionary) by
Alonzo Westerbrook. c2002. It didn’t get the best
reviews but it’s a unique resource for learning about hip-hop words. PG13-AD A 2 Z : the book of rap & hip-hop slang
by Lois Stavsky, I.E. Mozeson,
and Dani Reyes c1995. Slang dictionary for popular
words used in hip-hop and rap. PG13-AD The Unofficial Rap
Dictionary. Oldest and
most popular rap dictionary online. http://www.rapdict.org/
PG13-AD Rhyming Dictionaries RAP NAP
LAP STRAP FLAP SARAN WRAP WEATHER MAP ZAP CHAP CLAP Webster's Rhymerator Stuck
without a rhyme for you line? This site will help you create a rhyme, give you
a lyric or even help you with a metaphor. http://www.rockstargames.com/rhymerator/
PG13 Online Rhyming Dictionary Type in
your word and you’ll get a list or rhyming words with one, two or three
syllables. http://www.rhymezone.com/ Dictionaries Slam dunks and no-brainers : language in your life, the media, business, politics,
and, like, whatever.
c.2005. By
Leslie Savan. Knopf
Publishing. Examines how popular idioms such as "Bring it on,"
"outside the box," and "no-brainer" are created by ordinary
people; how they are capitalized upon by business, advertising, politics, and
the media; and how this transforms them into "celebrity words,"
changing their use by ordinary people, and their impact. AD Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. c2003. One of the most trusted dictionary sources (available online through subscription databases or at your local library). Slang: Modern Topical Slang
Dictionary. c2004. by Paul Dickson Includes bibliographical references
and index. Defines ten thousand American slang terms, arranged alphabetically
within thirty categories such as the modern office, the Internet, hip-hop, food
and drink, sex, medical care, and politics. AD Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
Not as good as it’s print or subscription counterpart but ok in an online
pinch. http://www.m-w.com/home.htm Oxford English Dictionary:
available through subscription database at you local public library. Poetry Resources Sometimes I use writing as a way to deal with problems or to
get through something happening in my life. Like when something is driving you
crazy and you just want to get it off. Writing helps. –Mary J. Blige quoted in Slam,
edited by Cecily Von Ziegesar. Slam, with a foreward by Tori Amos and edited by Ceciliy
Von Ziegesar, showcases poems from current slam
superstars, and lyrics from songwriters. It gives advice, but even more it’s
serves as inspiration to the new generation of poets and performance artists. PG13 The Discovery of Poetry : a field guide to
reading and writing poems by Frances Mayes. This well reviewed book
discusses rhyme, free verse, choice of subject, and style. Mayes explains, in
plain language, how poetry works. The American Academy of Poets online.
Students can read and listen to poems and teachers can get lessons on teaching
poetry. http://www.poets.org/ The Phrase Finder search these databases to find phrases, proverbs, biblical sayings and other word combinations that you can incorporate into your lyrics. http://www.phrases.org.uk/ Bartleby’s Phrases 18,000 words with
a “tale to tell” Lyrics Rap: the lyrics, edited by Lawrence A.
Stanley; with an introduction by Jefferson Morley. Includes
an index and words to rap lyrics. AD HipHopBattle.com is a website where
hip-hop artists of all kinds (esp. underground and unknown artists) compete
against one another, with the ultimate judge being the people of the world. It
provides video, text and audio forums. http://hiphopbattle.com PG OHHA is the Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive.
The page is ad heavy but it’s known to be the most comprehensive site of rap
and hip-hop lyrics on the Internet. PG13-AD Hip Hop Magazines The Source: The Magazine of Hip-Hop Music, Culture & Politics. Edited by J. Schecter. (NY
10012-3233, 594 Broadway, Vibe Magazine. Edited by Emil Wilbekin.
( Articles available through InfoTrac Online Subscription Database Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication, Dec 13, 2002 v102 i14 p3(2) Gangsta rap under arrest:
does hip-hop need to change its bad rap? (News Debate).
(Available in InfoTrac online
subscription database). Odyssey, March 2002 v11 i3 p22(3) The
rhythms of rap. Kathiann M. Kowalski. Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication, Feb 2, 2001 v100 i17 p3
Getting a Bad Rap? (offensive lyrics in rap music). History and Criticism of Rap
and Hip-Hop Skiddleebeeboy a
we rock a scoobie doo And guess what, ‘Cause ya rocked and a rolled with so much sould
you could rock till you’re a hundred and one years old --Lyrics from
"Rapper’s Delight," Sugarhill Gang (lyrics quoted in One nation Under A Groove: Rap music and
its roots by James Haskins) All music guide to hip-hop : the definitive guide to rap & hip hop. c.2003. Backbeat Books. Includes discography and index. Presents reviews and ratings of over
3,100 albums by nearly 1,200 rap and hip-hop artists, and includes brief
biographical profiles of the musicians, as well as recording dates and labels. Can’t Stop: Won’t Stop. c2005. By Jeff Chang. Picador/St. Martin's Press. Intro by DJ
Cool Herc. Includes bibliographical references,
discographies, and index. Traces the history of the hip-hop culture, discussing how
hip-hop came to define a new generation of youth rebellion and expression in And it Don’t Stop: The best American hip-hop Journalism of the last
25 years. c.2004.
Faber & Faber. AD Includes bibliographical references and index. Presents a collection of articles on the history of hip-hop from
the streets of the "Hip-hop." Encyclopædia
Britannica. Retrieved July 30, 2003, from Encyclopædia Britannica. Search “hip hop” for text
and photos. "Hip-hop." Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier’s has a print version but the
online is only available though the subscription databases in many school and
public libraries. Search “hip hop” HiphopAmerica by Nelson George. This first person narrative shows how
hip-hop started in the 1970’s and created a culture. Beware of his views of
women in hip-hop. According to Vibe’s Hip Hop Divas, George writes, "I
would argue that if none of these female rap artists had ever made a record,
hip hop’s development would have been no different." Even though he has
controversial views on the role of women in hip-hop and the reviews of this book
aren’t all favorable, in the industry it is often cited as an important
contribution and it won the National Book Award in 1999. PG Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary The History of Rap Music: African-American Achievers series c2001 by
Cookie Lommel. Middle Schoolers
will use this book that features a chronology, list of classic rap albums, and an text that includes biographical information and photos of
artists from the beginning to the year 2000. PG Hip Hop Divas by Vibe Books c2001. Includes
biographies, chronologies, photos, discographies, reviews, interview with
female artists ranging from Roxanne Shante and Mary
J. Blige to Missy Elliot and Eve. PG The Vibe History of Hip Hop by Vibe Books.
c1999. From School Library Journal, "YA-This chronicle of
the music parents love to hate is a must purchase, and should be shelved right
next to The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll (Random, 1992)."
PG Rap and Hip Hop by Jared Green. Looks at the
controversies surrounding the rise of the hip-hop nation, lyrics and Eminem and gay bashing. PG13 Working HipHop
Chronology: dates in the overall history
of African-American music and the music industry in general from 1920 to 1993.
Compiled by Russell A. Potter, Ph.D PG Start ‘em off Young…Children’s Books Cool Hip Hop Music: Create and Appreciate What Makes Music Great. c2008. By Kenny,
Karen Latchana. ABDO Publishing. Interest level 3-6 grades. Hip and Hop. c1987. By
Sally Brook. Bearobics: a hip-hop counting story. c1997. By Vic Parker,
Vic. M.C. Turtle and the hip hop hare:
a happenin' rap. c1997. By David Vozar. Curtis the
hip-hop cat. c1984. by Ginni
Wade. Soul R&B. c2006 By Chris Handyside. Heinemann Publishers. Title explains
the musical roots, the major contributors, and the political and social
influences inherent to the development of each genre. (Library
Media Connection, 2006). Interest level 5-8 grades. The Music Biz: Unique Ideas to
Turn Hip Hop into a Career Makin’ rap music
is our profession There’s
only one chance at a first impression But there
are times with records you hear That out
of nowhere seem to catch you ear --Lyrics from
"The Greatest Entertainer," Doug E. Fresh (quoted in One Nation Under a Groove) Career Ideas for Kids Who Like Music and Dance by Diane Lindsey
Reeves Although it’s not up to date, it profiles the DJ’s career and gives tips
on taking care of your voice and provides association addresses. Cool Careers Without College for Music Lovers by Kerry Hinton. Easy to read and good references. The Young Musician’s Survival Guide: Tips from teens and pros by Amy
Nathan has a good chapter on dealing with performance jitters. Looking for the Perfect Beat: The art and
culture of the DJ by Kurt B. Reighley. Interviews with disc jockeys, covering the history of spinning and
providing advice to the beginning DJ. The National Rap Directory, 1st ed.
C1996. Rising Star Music Publishers Discusses legalities, releasing your
record, promotions, copyright, publicaitons,
organizations and radio promotions The DJ Project is
a non-profit organization that gives kids the opportunity to learn about the
biz in a safe and positive atmosphere. Hip-hop doesn’t get a bad rap with the
DJ Project. http://www.thedjproject.com/press_012702.htm Additional Links HipHop Directory. Well-organized links to everything hip-hop including reviews and
industry information. http://www.hiphop-directory.com/ PG13-AD DavyD's Hip Hop Corner
a good introductory page. www.davyd.com PG13-AD DJ University offers several free on-line how-to articles from reprinted from DJ Times including beat mixing and harmonic mixing for clubs. http://dju.prodj.com/courses/club/index.html Black Grooves is a music review site hosted by the Archives of African American Music
& Culture (AAAMC) at American Disc Jockey Association
List-servs
and Online Discussion Forums Keystyles
List: hiphop-keystyles-request@ai.mit.edu With parent permission you can
subscribe to this list to dicuss freestylin'
and MCing in general. It is also permissible to drop
"transcripts" of freestyles (known as keystyles).
In general this is a place for the constructive interchange of ideas about freestylin', rhyming techniques, MCing
and all that. In other words, it is to rappin' what turntablism is to DJing. AD supervision suggested Turntablism List turntablism-request@ai.mit.eduThe
Turntablism List was started to offer a platform for
people to discuss turntablism. More
specifically, to discuss scratching and juggling techniques, equipment, and the
culture surrounding turntablism. AD supervision suggested Learn About Your Favorite
Artists See the above link for Vibe Magazine online SOHH.com was voted the best overall
hip-hop site according to Rolling Stone magazine. http://web.simmons.edu/~morrow/hiphopweb.html
PG13-AD Recommended Biography Database… Directories The National Rap Directory, 1st ed.
C1996. Rising Star Music Publishers Discusses
legalities, releasing your record, promotions, copyright, publications,
organizations and radio promotions. HipHop Directory.
Well organized links to everything hip-hop including reviews and industry
information. http://www.hiphop-directory.com/
PG13-AD Related Trade Associations American Disc Jockey Association ___________________________________________________________________ *Ratings No rating =
all ages, no profanity, violence, sex or drugs as of July, 28, 2003 PG = Parental consent suggested for children: minimal or
suggesting the use of profanity, violence, sex, drugs PG13 = Parental consent suggested for anyone under 13: uses
profanity, violence, sex, drugs but not the main focus AD = for Adults only. Strong profanity, violence, sex, drugs Disclaimer: Due to the graphic
nature of some websites and print materials, entries will include a general
rating that applies to the content as of July 28, 2003. If the websites are
updated after the date and the content changed, the rating may not apply. As
always, you and your parents are the judge of what is appropriate for you to
access. Created 07/28/2003 for library
210 SLIS, SJSU. Updated March, 2008. |
