The Evolution and Mechanics of Rap Rhyme Schemes

Definitions and Mechanics of the Beat: * Martin Conner, a researcher who analyzes rhythmically dense rap songs, defines a "bar" as a grouping of $4$ beats. * Rappers often envision their work on a grid or graph. Rakim, a highly influential MC, describes starting his process with $16$ dots on paper, representing the structure of a graph within the bars. * Rakim's approach involves filling the space between bars with as many words and syllables as possible, aiming for a density where "no other words you can put in that four bar."

Early Simplistic Patterns: * In the early days of commercially successful rap, such as the $1980$ song "The Breaks" by Curtis Blow, rhyme schemes were predictable and basic. * The standard was an $A-A-B-B$ rhyming pattern, which lacked complex wordplay, puns, or rhythmic variation.
Rakim’s Technical Innovations (1986): * With the release of "Eric B as President" in $1986$ by Eric B and Rakim, the frequency and types of rhymes increased significantly. * Internal Rhymes: Rhymes occurring within a single sentence (e.g., "indeed" and "proceed"). * Multi-syllable Rhymes: Rhymes involving multiple syllables to create complex textures (e.g., "man made a mix" and "band aid to fix"). * Crossing the Bar Line: A technique where a sentence or rhyme scheme does not end at the conclusion of a bar but carries over to the next. Rakim demonstrated this by placing the second syllable of the word "inside" on the first beat of the subsequent bar.

Smoothness and Flexibility: * In the song "Hypnotize" ( $1997$ ), Notorious B.I.G. utilized Rakim’s techniques to create a non-predictable, ever-changing flow. * He varied sentence lengths (long and short) and frequently delivered sentences across the bar line.
Daisy-Chaining Rhyme Schemes: * Biggie was known for "daisy-chaining," where one rhyme scheme begins before the previous one ends. * In verse $2$ of "Hypnotize," he uses an "oh" sound rhyme to link the first two sentences, which then transitions into a new rhyme scheme, creating a seamless, smooth progression.

Most Def (Mos Def) and Multi-Syllabic Density: * On the track "redefinition," Most Def pushed complexity further by utilizing four-syllable rhymes that hit every note within the bar. * This dense rhyming pattern was maintained across a continuous stretch of $14$ bars.
Andr3 3000 and Non-Linear Accents: * In the song "Equimini," Andr3 3000 challenged the standard convention of rhyming directly on the beat. * While most rappers would place rhymes like "dollars," "parlors," and "ballers" similarly on the beat, Andr3 3000 accented each rhyme in different places relative to the beat and the bar. * The transcript notes the creativity required to rhyme with words typically considered "un-rhymable," such as "orange."

Dense Multi-Syllabic Rhymes: * Eminem is recognized for packing tremendously dense multi-syllable rhymes into his work, as seen in the $2002$ song "Business."
"Lose Yourself" and the Academy Award: * "Lose Yourself" was the first rap song to win an Academy Award (Oscar), credited to Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Louise Westbrook. * The song features an incredibly complex rhyme scheme where syllables are grouped together to create unpredictable rhythmic and lyrical patterns. * The brilliance of the song lies in its ability to maintain technical complexity while simultaneously telling a vivid, compelling story.

Definition of a Motive: * A motive is a short musical idea, fragment, or succession of notes with special importance in a composition. * The transcript cites Beethoven as the most famous example (three quick notes followed by one long note).
"Rigamortis": * Kendrick Lamar uses a motive consisting of two short notes followed by one long note to string the entire song together. * As the song progresses into "fourth gear" (increasing speed), the motive acts as a rhythmic anchor to keep the flow in check. * Like Biggie, Kendrick also utilizes daisy-chaining to link his sequences of rhymes.

Mad Villainy and Underground Impact: * Two years after Eminem’s Oscar win, MF Doom released "Mad Villainy," which is considered one of the greatest underground hip hop records. * Notable appreciation from Most Def suggests a "million dollars" bet that MF Doom could outperform other top rappers like Lil Wayne.
Holorhymes: * MF Doom often rhymes entire lines together, a technique known as a holorhyme (e.g., "The worst hate is gone and perpetrated, hard favors demonstrated in the perforated rod flavors").
Subversion and Wordplay: * MF Doom humorously manipulates expectations. In one instance, the rhyme pattern and rap stereotypes suggest the word "bitches," but he instead uses the word "booze" to connect the next sentence. * His style is characterized by syncopated, uneven phrasing where sentences do not line up with bars, preventing the listener from predicting what will happen next.

Interviewer/Narrator: Discussed the experience of "geeking out" over MF DOOM with Open Mic Eagle.
Open Mic Eagle: Shared his obsession with MF DOOM's flow, stating: "I have to be careful with his flow because his flow lives in my mind and like in my heart. I can almost get into his mind in terms of how he writes."
Open Mic Eagle on MF DOOM's structure: Explained that DOOM will use a following bar to reference a punchline from a previous bar, but instead of setting up a new punchline, he acknowledges the previous bar and moves in a completely different direction.
Final Perspective: The goal of analyzing these complex structures is to appreciate what "the very most clever human beings are capable of doing that you didn't think possible."