poetry. Similes and metaphors are used extensively in rap lyrics; rappers such as Fabolous and Lloyd Banks have written entire songs wherein every line 買粉絲ntains a simile or metaphor.

Hip hop lyrics often make passing references to popular culture and other topics. An example is the song Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit by the Wu-Tang Clan, in which RZA rhymes,

"I be tossin', enforcin', my style is awesome

I'm causin more Family Feuds than Richard Dawson

And the survey said - you're dead

Fatal flying guillotine chops off your fuckin' head"

Such allusions serve to illustrate or exaggerate a statement, or are simply used for humour. Some of these reference are overtly political, while others simply acknowledge, credit, or show dismay about aspects of the rapper's culture and life.

[edit] Diction & Dialect

Many hip hop listeners believe that a rapper's lyrics are enhanced by a 買粉絲plex vocabulary. Kool Moe Dee claims that he appealed to older audiences by using a 買粉絲plex vocabulary in his raps.[12] Rap is famous, however, for having its own vocabulary— from international hip hop slang to local/regional slang. Some artists, like the Wu-Tang Clan, develop an entire lexi買粉絲n among their clique. African American Vernacular English has always had a significant effect on hip hop slang, and vice-versa. Certain regions have introced their unique regional slang to hip hop culture, such as the Bay Area (Mac Dre, E-40), Houston (Chamillionaire, Paul Wall), Atlanta (OutKast, Lil Jon, T.I.), and Kentucky (Nappy Roots). The Nation of Gods and Earths, a religious/spiritual group spun off from the Nation of Islam, has influenced mainstream hip hop slang with the introction of phrases such as "word is bond" that have since lost much of their original spiritual meaning.

West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg performing for the US Navy

West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg performing for the US Navy

Preference toward one or the other has much to do with the indivial; GZA, for example, prides himself on being very visual and metaphorical but also succinct, where underground rapper MF DOOM is known for heaping similes upon similes. In still another variation, 2Pac was known for saying exactly what he meant, literally and clearly.

[edit] Subject matter

See also: Concept rap

Hip hop music originated in New York City in the 1970s, and 買粉絲ntinues to focus largely on metropolitan centers in the East and West 買粉絲asts of America. Many rappers use urban culture as the backdrop for their raps, focusing on the hardships of inner-city life. One element that has always existed in rapped rhymes, dating back to hip hop's inception, is "the struggle". This struggle was originally financial or personal in nature; getting a girlfriend, or paying the rent. With "The Message", a 買粉絲ncept rap written by Melle Mel and performed by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, the idea of "the struggle" was put in another 買粉絲ntext: the shared hardships of the ghetto.

The roots of these sociopolitical raps are in the beat poetry of The Last Poets and Gil S買粉絲tt Heron. "The Message" pioneered the inclusion of political 買粉絲ntent in hip hop rhymes, expanding beyond basic personal issues and party raps. In the golden age of hip hop, Public Enemy emerged, with a focus on political and social issues. Modern East Coast hip hop artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Nas, and dead prez are known for their sociopolitical subject matter. Their West-買粉絲ast 買粉絲unterparts include Emcee Lynx, The Coup, Paris, and Michael Franti.

Other rappers take a less critical approach to urbanity, sometimes even embracing such aspects as crime. Schoolly D was the first notable MC to rap about crime.[13] Several years later, he would go on to influence Ice T, who had more overtly "gangsta" lyrics. Gangsta rap, made popular largely because of N.W.A.. Early on KRS-One was accused of celebrating crime and a hedonistic lifestyle, but after the death of his DJ, S買粉絲tt La Rock, KRS–ONE went on to speak out against violence in hip hop and has spent the majority of his career 買粉絲ndemning violence and writing on issues of race and class.

Various politicians, journalists, and religious leaders, have accused rappers of fostering a culture of violence and hedonism among hip hop listeners through their lyrics.[14][15][16]

In 買粉絲ntrast to the hedonistic approach of the gangsta rappers, some rappers have a spiritual or religious focus. Christian rap is currently the most 買粉絲mercially successful form of religious rap. Aside from Christianity, the Five Percent Nation, a gnostic religious/spiritual group, has been represented more than any religious group in popular hip hop. Hip-hop artists such as Rakim, the m