"How To Get Into Rap" by Ayaz R.

A lot of people have a huge misunderstanding of rap in general and as a society we see rapping
as a negative due to the affiliations it has and also due to the origins of rap. Rap was considered
a gangster’s sport or in other words it tends to be about gang violence and or about drugs which
most people couldn't relate to at all whatsoever. Nowadays more and more people are getting
into the rap culture being the most listened to genre currently. The only problem is there are still
those people who think rap is about the same thing which it started out to be being
drugs,guns,and sex. Which is why I am here to tell you how you can get
into rap.

Tools:
1. Open Mind
This is the only tool you really need because people who don't really listen to rap because they
are scared and ignorant of the genre. People just assume that the genre swears a lot meaning
that it has some affiliation to “gangster culture.” People also tend to be stubborn about the genre
due to the titles of the music for example FML by Kanye West in his recent album Life Of Pablo,
which people commonly misunderstand as F**k my Life, when in actuality it has the title called
For My Lady which is Kanye is admitting that he wants to stay loyal to his wife and that he will
not let another women get in the way of that.

Steps:
1. Listen to the right people
People who want to get into rap tend to listen to the wrong people, the first people that
come to mind about rappers of our generation are figure such as Lil Yachty,Lil Uzi Vert, and 21
Savage who are considered a “yeah,yeah” rapper which means that they tend not to put deep
thought into any of there song,just rapping aimlessly. People should listen to rappers that are
worth the time and who put deep thought into their work.
2. Don't let things on social media affect your perspective on what they do.
A lot of people tend not to listen to rap due to their personality and the way they look at
life. For example people think that Kanye (I'm going to mention him a lot because he is the best
example) since he thinks of himself as a god he would have music that is selfish and
narcissistic. In actuality his work tends to be about societal problems and or things that a lot of
people tend to have struggles which many can find relatable.
3. Pay Attention to What They Say
People tend to aimlessly listen to rap using it as a way to have fun at a party, the thing
that people tend not to do is listen to songs over and over again. The reason of doing this is to
really understand the meaning of what the song is trying to convey. A good example of listening
to songs again and again is J.Cole’s recent project “4 Your Eyez Only.” which has to do with his
friend’s life, to having a wife (She Mine Part 1) and trying to do anything to provide for your
family (Foldin Clothes) having a daughter ( Shes Mine Part 2). This is a prime example of
meaning throughout a song and how I and other people tend to listen to the album again and
again to understand the full meaning of what J.Cole was trying to persuade.
4. Just Enjoy It
People sometimes don't even take the time listen to it not even having the chance to enjoy it
because people don't find the right type of rap for them. There are always a rap song or an artist
for everyone for example if you are happy you would probably listen Alright by Kendrick Lamar.
If you were mad listen to Control by Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar. If you are trying to relax
listen to Poetic Justice by Kendrick Lamar featuring Drake and so on and so forth.
Outcome: The best example of a transfer to rap is an artist that goes by the name of Post
Malone,who used to be a country singer. He was then influenced by Kanye West mostly and as
well as other rappers to pursue rap. Starting with a song called “White Iverson” which is what
put him on the map, even though it wasn't as lyrical, but that very same single went triple
platinum. He got recognition from his idol in rap being Kanye West when Kylie Jenner asked
him to perform “White Iverson” at her party which is where he started to take notice of his talent.
The most recent project he has entitled “Stoney” is an album where Post Malone becomes as
lyrical as ever with songs like “Congratulations” featuring Quavo, which is about how people
didn't recognize him before and now everyone now is starting to realize that he was actually
good the whole time.
Personal Insight: Honestly from experience rap isn't just a genre that people can’t endeavor
right away. You have to start from the beginnings of the century with albums like College
Dropout by Kanye West, Carter 3 by Lil Wayne, Curtain Call and Encore both by Eminem.
These albums are some of the best examples of rap albums that a lot of people will tend to like
because these are albums that will influence and has influenced rappers now a days like Big
Sean,Drake, Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and so many other rappers that take direct influence
from these legends. My older brother actually put me on to rap culture and I have never been
more knowledgeable about society, life, and learning to love myself because rap is influential on
daily things and can give you another output on life that is how influential it is and that is why
more and more people are getting hooked on rap and the wave is still coming in.