Rap Music: A Fun Way to Learn About Music
Rap music is a form of music that emerged in the United States during the late 1970s. Rap music usually contains lyrics that are spoken or sung over a beat. Rap music can be used to tell stories and express opinions about life.
Concepts:
Rhythm: The pattern of beats or accents that create a regular pulse in a piece of music. Rhyme: When two words or phrases have the same ending sound, usually at the end of lines in a poem or song. Beat: The steady repetition of a sound or rhythm, often used as an accompaniment to music.
What do you think is the most important element of rap music?
Fun facts:
Rap music is one of the most popular genres of music today. Rap was first called “discourse” because it was spoken word with a beat. Rappers often use metaphors and similes to express their ideas more clearly.
Draw / write: What are some of the biggest differences between rap music today and rap music from the past?
Draw / write: What do you think makes rap music so popular with young people today?
If you could create your own rap song, what message would you want to portray?
How do you think rap music impacts the culture around it?