| A hip hop MC has to be more then just some person | | | | the audience. The second most important part of a |
| who can sit with a piece of paper and piece together | | | | delivery is in the hip hop world what is called "flow"! A |
| a few rhymes. In hip hop there is nothing more | | | | hip hop artist's flow is what essentially distinguishes |
| objective then ones personal opinion of what | | | | them from all the other artists. Some hip hop artist's |
| constitutes not only a good rapper but a great one. | | | | flow may be elementary while some may have more |
| Let's face it, many hip hop artists can come up with an | | | | of a melodic feel to them. Many hip hop artists have a |
| album or two of good rhymes and they may even be | | | | mellow or calming effect to their voice while others |
| able to turn those songs into platinum selling records | | | | have a sense of rage and urgency. All these aspects |
| but that still doesn't mean that they are great MC's. | | | | combine to create an artist's delivery. |
| Some hip hop fans simply look for a catchy hook that | | | | Adaptability is one of the true litmus tests in the hip hop |
| they can sing along with and that's easy to remember, | | | | industry. Not only do the styles of music change with |
| while others look for pure substance and a flawless | | | | every year that past but they also change with each |
| delivery when choosing a favorite. Record sales are | | | | producer a hip hop artist works with. To be adaptable |
| more about marketing then they are about quality so | | | | in hip hop doesn't only constitute being able to rap over |
| any list that uses that as the criteria holds little | | | | any style of music it also includes ones ability to |
| credence. So what is it that truly constitutes a great | | | | freestyle. In no way am I claiming that you can't be a |
| rapper? Lyrical content, delivery and adaptability! | | | | great rapper without entering and winning various |
| Lyrical content simply means that the hip hop artist not | | | | freestyle competitions. What I am stating is that many |
| only talks about something with substance but also | | | | hip hop artists are given music to work with on short |
| possesses the ability to paint a vivid picture through the | | | | notice and many of these same artists are unable to |
| use of imagery. There is nothing better then hearing a | | | | come up with any material in that short amount of |
| hip hop artist talk about something you may have | | | | time. The truly great hip hop artist can be given an |
| thought about numerous times and having them put it | | | | instrumental and have great material written and ready |
| in a way that is so simple yet so profound that you | | | | to be recorded in a few hours. |
| never even began to look at it that way before. | | | | This isn't meant to be some definitive test that all |
| Delivery is a little subjective of a category because it is | | | | should abide by. The sad thing about the state of hip |
| not something that you can really put your finger on. | | | | hop today is that most of its stars are built without |
| The most important aspect of a hip hop artist's | | | | anyone really putting in much thought in regard to their |
| delivery is definitely their voice. You can have the | | | | talent. I'm hoping now that by using this criteria hip hop |
| greatest lyrics and beat but if your voice is nasal or | | | | fans will put their favorite artists up to the test and see |
| just overall unappealing, it simply won't resonate with | | | | if they truly survive. |