How to Rap - Wordplay (pt.1 - Double Meanings)

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How to Rap - Wordplay (pt.1 - Double Meanings)

Wordplay is a more advanced rap concept than what I've previously covered except maybe multis.

I see a lot of people using REALLY bad wordplay and a lot of people using other techniques and calling it wordplay.

It's a pretty tricky topic in general so I'm gonna do my best to break it down as simply as possible for you guys.

Wordplay is basically combining or using words in clever and tricky ways that promote more than one meaning.

Strategies for Wordplay

The easiest one is double meanings

Double meanings are when you use a word or phrase that could be used in two different ways, the easiest way for my to showcase this is with a comparison.

This would be wordplay:
"You couldn't 'run this town' if you were jogging around the city"

The played on phrase is run this town.
1 meaning is to be in power and control the place
The other meaning is to literally 'run the town' or run through the town.

On the other hand, this is NOT wordplay

"I run this city like the mayor"

That's just a comparison, you're using 'run this city' in only one context. There is no play on words, just a comparison.

The best strategy I know for making lines using wordplay is to start with a word or a phrase you know has multiple meanings or can be interpreted multiple ways. Idioms and slang are a great place to start. Idioms are sayings or phrases.

Let's try 'dig up dirt'

Dig up dirt either means literally pull dirt out of the ground
Or
Try to find embarrassing information about someone

So now we need a concept or idea to combine the two

Track:
I'm sick of personal attacks I can't mask it
Seems everyone is diggin up dirt for my casket

Battle:
Made space for your casket diggin up dirt for personals
The only time you've been a 'stand-up guy' is at urinals

Things to remember:
Don't force wordplay if it doesnt make sense, the phrase has to make sense in both contexts for it to be wordplay.
Forced wordplay sounds really contrived and just bad, really. The only context I could see it being usable in is if you're going for some type of comedic effect.

Next time I'll be going over another technique for wordplay, word fusion and word fission.

Check out The Rhyme Sanctuary
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Resources: If you're a poet, I'd suggest www.text-stars.com
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If you're more of a punch, battle rapper, I'd suggest www.letsbeef.com