Rap: Unfortunately, Not Poetry
“Hip-hop lyrics–not just my lyrics, but those of any great MC — are poetry if you look at them closely enough,” said Jay-Z, one of the most prominent rappers known and respected internationally (Sanneh). On the surface, rap and poetry can be compared quite easily; they both can have similes, metaphors, hyperboles, and rhyme patterns. However, even though rap and poetry may share these things, they are different because of the topics each speaks about, the inclusion or exclusion of music, and the writing rules that apply. Firstly, rap has become a major part of pop culture in America. When one thinks of rap music, the first words they think of is sex, drugs, guns, women, and the “street life.” This isn’t far from the truth, but isn’t all that there is. Rap can be very political, like NWA’s “Fuck tha Police,” which focused on police brutality and racism (N.W.A), …show more content…
Poetry allows freedom of expression due to the lack of music involved. It could be as long or as short as the poet wants, and unlike rap, does not necessarily even have to rhyme. Types of poetry include sonnets, odes, limericks, epics, haikus, and ballads (“Elements of Poetry”). The ability to write about anything with little limitations gives poets a lot of options for them to take. This also means that a “good” poem is definitely subjective; some people may hate haikus, but another might find enjoyment in it. Poetry has underlying messages too, but most readers have to reread a poem at least twice in order to pick it up.
Overall, there is more to notice about the differences between rap and poetry than their similarities. Unlike rap, poetry does not have the same limitations and has more freedom as a piece of literature. Rap is a music genre and rappers are expected to rhyme, stay on beat, and perform well. Jay-Z may believe that rap is poetry in a lyrical sense, but there is a distinct line that separates the two as a
“Hip-hop lyrics–not just my lyrics, but those of any great MC — are poetry if you look at them closely enough,” said Jay-Z, one of the most prominent rappers known and respected internationally (Sanneh). On the surface, rap and poetry can be compared quite easily; they both can have similes, metaphors, hyperboles, and rhyme patterns. However, even though rap and poetry may share these things, they are different because of the topics each speaks about, the inclusion or exclusion of music, and the writing rules that apply. Firstly, rap has become a major part of pop culture in America. When one thinks of rap music, the first words they think of is sex, drugs, guns, women, and the “street life.” This isn’t far from the truth, but isn’t all that there is. Rap can be very political, like NWA’s “Fuck tha Police,” which focused on police brutality and racism (N.W.A), …show more content…
Poetry allows freedom of expression due to the lack of music involved. It could be as long or as short as the poet wants, and unlike rap, does not necessarily even have to rhyme. Types of poetry include sonnets, odes, limericks, epics, haikus, and ballads (“Elements of Poetry”). The ability to write about anything with little limitations gives poets a lot of options for them to take. This also means that a “good” poem is definitely subjective; some people may hate haikus, but another might find enjoyment in it. Poetry has underlying messages too, but most readers have to reread a poem at least twice in order to pick it up.
Overall, there is more to notice about the differences between rap and poetry than their similarities. Unlike rap, poetry does not have the same limitations and has more freedom as a piece of literature. Rap is a music genre and rappers are expected to rhyme, stay on beat, and perform well. Jay-Z may believe that rap is poetry in a lyrical sense, but there is a distinct line that separates the two as a