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How is rap poetry?

Rap is a musical form that incorporates "rhythmic speech" that is delivered in a poetic or storytelling manner. The components of rap include "content" (what is being said), "flow" (how it is being said), and "delivery" (how it is presented). Rap differs from spoken word poetry in that it is performed to a beat, and the lyrics are typically more focused on rhythm and rhyme than on literary content.

Here are some of the ways in which rap can be considered poetry:

* Figurative language: Rap lyrics often make use of figurative language, such as metaphor, simile, and personification, to create imagery and convey meaning.

* Rhyme: Rap lyrics typically rhyme at the end of each line, and sometimes within lines as well. This rhyming pattern creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.

* Rhythm: The delivery of rap lyrics is characterized by a strong sense of rhythm, which is created by the rapper's use of meter, beat, and syncopation.

* Storytelling: Rap lyrics often tell stories, either about the rapper's own life experiences or about fictional characters. These stories can be serious, humorous, or anything in between.

* Social commentary: Rap lyrics can also be used to express social commentary, and many rappers use their music to address issues such as poverty, racism, and violence.

Rap is a unique and versatile art form that can be used to express a wide range of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It is a powerful tool that can be used to entertain, educate, and inspire people all over the world.

Here are some examples of rap lyrics that demonstrate poetic elements:

* Metaphor: "I'm a lyrical linguist, a verbal virtuoso / My penmanship's precision, my flow is virtuoso" (RZA, "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit")

* Simile: "My rhymes are like lightning, they'll strike you dead / I'm like a comet, I'm always ahead" (LL Cool J, "Mama Said Knock You Out")

* Personification: "The beat drops, the crowd goes wild / The music takes control, and we become one" (Kanye West, "Stronger")

* Rhyme: "I'm the king of the hill, the top of the heap / I'm the A-1, the first in the street / I'm the rhyme animal, the verbal abuser / I'm the lyrical wizard, the mic mesmerizer" (Jay-Z, "99 Problems")

* Rhythm: "I'm the hip-hop Harry Houdini / I'm the rap Robin Hood / I'm the musical Malcolm X / I'm the lyrical Martin Luther King" (KRS-One, "Self Destruction")

* Storytelling: "I was born in the ghetto, raised in the projects / I saw my first gun at the age of six / I was in the streets by the age of ten / And I was in jail by the age of fifteen" (Tupac Shakur, "Dear Mama")

* Social commentary: "I see the world through different eyes / I see the suffering, the pain, the lies / I see the greed, the corruption, the hate / And I know that things have to change" (Immortal Technique, "The Point of No Return")

These are just a few examples of the many ways in which rap can be considered poetry. It is a complex and multifaceted art form that deserves to be appreciated for its literary value as well as its musicality.

Poetry

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