Hip Hop

How to Write a Battle Verse: Structure, Schemes, Setups and Punchlines

A practical craft guide to writing battle rap rounds, from researching angles and structuring a round to writing schemes, landing punchlines, building

The Art of the Freestyle Cypher: Etiquette, Skills and Practice Drills

How freestyle cyphers work, the unwritten rules that keep them respectful, and proven drills for building real off the top skill.

Mixtape Culture: How Tapes Shaped Hip Hop and Fed Battle Rap

From street corner tapes and DJ Clue exclusives to Gangsta Grillz, DatPiff and SoundCloud, a history of mixtape culture and its deep links to battle r

Hip Hop and Comedy: Roasts, the Dozens and the Art of the Punchline

How the dozens, signifying, toasts and roasts connect hip hop and stand-up comedy, and what battle rappers and comedians can learn from each other.

Beginner's Guide to Recording Rap at Home

Dynamic vs condenser mics, room treatment that actually works, gain staging, choosing a DAW and building a basic vocal chain for clean home rap record

The 5 Greatest Hip Hop Singers of All Time