![How To Freestyle Rap [Completely NEW Technique] 6-Step Mini-Course](https://rapauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/how-to-freestyle-rap-better-1.png)
There is a lot of recycled garbage on the internet about how to freestyle rap and how to get better at freestyling. A lot of the content is just random freestyle tips, and they miss one of the MAIN skills that separate the good freestyle raps from the very best.
This is a 6-Step Mini-Course jampacked with tips for freestyling, you will have the actual foundation to blow people’s minds whenever random person says, “yo bro, you freestyle? Kick something right now for us” in the middle of a party. And you will crush it.
Because, trust me, they will ask.
Some of the most important tips for freestyling better are to:
- Get better at word gathering
- Rapid word association and associative thinking
- Rhyming phrase selection
- Setups and punches
- Switching rhyme schemes every two bars
1. Word Gathering
This is the part that gets missed the most. I will break these both down into their sections but they are both equally important.
When you’re standing there in a circle of people you’ve barely met and one of your friends says, “yeah my buddy is the SICKEST at freestyle rapping”… you have a brief moment to decide if you are going to break something out when everyone starts putting pressure on you to freestyle rap.
What is the first thing you should do?
GATHER POTENTIAL WORDS TO USE
You can do this a variety of ways. One of my favorite ways to do this is to ask for 3 random words from the people around you. This is the Harry Mack approach that has made him famous on all the platforms for freestyling.
But you don’t HAVE to do this. Even though it is interactive, you can still use this for how to freestyle rap better in ANY setting and scenario.
Here are some ways to word gather quickly:
- Clothing from people around. (Brands, styles, colors, logos, graphics)
- Objects in your surroundings. (things around you, environment, weather, setting, objects)
- Ask people to throw out random words even while you’re freestyling
- People’s names around you
- Things people are doing specifically (like laughing, grilling, mouth open, etc.)
This will happen quickly in an instant so you can prep for your freestyle. Just take note of the interesting things around you that you could possibly use.
They don’t have to be interesting or anything like that.
For example, turquoise hat, nike shoes, sunset, guy bobbing his head, bucket hat, brick wall, bird, whatever.
Just mentally take not of specific things.
Converting Random Word Prompts into Lyrical Gold
One might wonder how to turn random words like “dinosaur,” “telescope,” and “sneakers” into a coherent rap. This is where your creativity comes into play. The key is to view these words not as obstacles but as unique opportunities to explore new lyrical pathways.
For instance, with “dinosaur,” you can delve into themes of history, extinction, or size. “Telescope” could lead to ideas about space, exploration, or vision. And “sneakers”? They could kickstart thoughts about fashion, running, or even stealth.
Activity: Practice with random word prompts. You can use a random word generator online or ask a friend to give you three random words. Try to create a few lines of freestyle rap using these words. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here—it’s all about letting your creativity flow.
2. Rapid Word Association & Associative Thinking
If you could practice one thing that would make you better at freestyling, then training your mind to be super fast at word association would be that.
The Art of Making Connections
Freestyle rapping is not just about rhyming words; it’s about painting pictures and telling stories. To do this effectively, you must master associative thinking—the ability to generate a web of related concepts from a single word.
For instance, if your given word is “mountain,” potential associations could be “hiking,” “snow,” “summit,” and “challenge.”
This is the number one most ignored skill for how to freestyle rap better.
After some practice, you will start to pull from not-so-obvious connections and creatively branch out to less obvious ones. This opens up a wealth of lyrical material from a single word, making your freestyle raps rich and diverse.
Activity: Choose a random word and set a timer for one minute. Write down as many associated words or phrases as possible within this time frame. Repeat this exercise with different words to strengthen your associative thinking muscle.
Rapid Association for Freestyle Fluidity
Associative thinking in freestyle rap requires speed. Remember, you are not just thinking about the current word, but also setting up connections for the next one. This ability to rapidly associate helps maintain your freestyle’s fluidity.
As you are rapping about one word, your mind should already be building connections for the next. This swift, seamless transition is a testament to rapid associative thinking.
Activity: Practice rapid association. Begin with one word and freestyle a line or two about it. Then, quickly transition to a related word and continue your rap. Strive for a seamless flow.
3. Setting Up The Rhyme
This is probably the most difficult and most frustrating part of getting better at freestyle rapping. Trust me, I’ve done my fair share of stumbling over garbage bars.
When I first started, I would try to find rhymes for the words that gathered and use those as in the setup bar leaving me time to try and find a rhyme for a punchline in the second bar.
This is not the way.It comes out flat. Say you select Nikes as the word. For example, “This skinny dude is wearing nikes / you’re so thin I can see your ribs like keira knightley /
This is NOT the way. But this is generally the first progression.
Then, I realized that I could think of rhymes with the word I gather SO FAST in my head that I could use the rhyme in the setup bar and then use the word I gathered in the second bar.
For example, “You’re so skinny you could barely fight me / you’re looking like a weird keira knightley wearin nikes /
This is better, but still not great. This is generally progression two. You would definitely get a reaction out of this, but that’s not the way either.
The place you want to get to is Progression 3.
Since your chosen word is Nikes.
You start the word association in your head as quickly as possible. You want to practice this as much as possible to notice any improvement.
- Swoosh
- Air force ones
- Michael Jordan
- Air Jordan
- Sole/Soul
- Gums
- Tongue
- Scuffed
- Dirty or Clean
- Old / New
- Kicks
This is rapid word association. But you can get even more creative with it and choose phrases, related topics, double meanings, and more if you think quickly enough.
Your punch might look like / I’m as high as this dudes nikes, but I got more soul/sole /
Or: / people ask me how i rap so dope and whats the blueprint / I treat it like my man’s nikes and just do it /
Or: where’s your girly from? / like his nikes when he went down on her, he got a dirty tongue /
There’s just endless more possibilities and the bars are almost ALWAYS constructed better when you get good at this.
PLUS, you get the benefit of sticking on the same topic for more than one bar. Since you don’t have to change topics you can use the same word to drop more bars about the same thing.
4. Delivering the Punchline
In the context of rap, a punchline is the culminating part of a joke, story, or thought that gives it its humorous or dramatic point of impact. In freestyle rap, a well-delivered punchline can leave a lasting impression, amuse your audience, or even make them think.
If you want to get your reaction from an audience, you want to deliver punchlines that complete your rhymes while providing surprising, insightful, or entertaining commentary. The effectiveness of your punchlines should lie in their unexpectedness, wit, and relevance to the rhyme scheme or subject matter.
Crafting and Delivering Effective Punchlines
Creating an impactful punchline involves more than just clever wordplay—it requires timing, delivery, and relevance to the theme or topic. An effective punchline should resonate with the audience, either through humor, insight, or a twist of thought.
Creating punchlines, especially in freestyle rap, is an art that takes practice. Here’s a step-by-step look at how you might create your punchlines:
- Understanding the Theme: Get a grasp of the general theme or subject you’re currently rapping about. This could be a word or concept given by the audience. Understanding the theme is essential as it guides the direction of the punchline.
Example: Let’s say the theme is “camera.” - Thinking Ahead: As you’re rapping, think ahead about possible punchlines related to the theme. This could be a humorous quip, a surprising revelation, or a clever play on words that ties back to the theme.
Example: For the “camera” theme, you might think about different aspects of cameras such as focus, capturing moments, lens, flash, etc. - Setting Up the Punchline: Then begin setting up the punchline with the preceding lines. This setup builds anticipation and prepares the audience for the punchline.
- Delivering the Punchline: Deliver the punchline. This line should tie back to the theme and rhyme with the setup. The punchline is usually unexpected, which adds to its impact.
5. Weaving in the Next Word
Transitions are the bridges that connect the various elements of your freestyle rap. When done right, they make your freestyle seamless, even though you’re shifting between unrelated topics.
I’ve noticed that everyone that starts freestyling ends up with a few crutch phrases they say on autopilot while they are thinking of their next rhyme. This happens to almost everyone I know who starts to practice freestyle rapping.
When I first started, I used “On the microphone” or “I always rap alot”. Ugh. Some bad ones when just a freestyle rap beginner.
Some common ones I hear frequently:
And You Know: This is a versatile phrase that many often use to keep the flow going. MC’s typically use it to transition from one thought to another.
- Example: “And you know we keep it moving, never static…”
When It Comes To: This phrase is excellent as it helps you seamlessly move from one subject to another.
- Example: “When it comes to lyrics, I be sharper than a cactus…”
That’s Why: This phrase allows you to segue into a new idea that relates to a previous statement.
- Example: “That’s why I’m always practicin’, to sharpen my craft…”
Speaking of: You can use this phrase when something you’re rapping about connects to a new idea or word.
- Example: “Speaking of oceans, I go deeper than a submarine…”
Back to the Topic: This phrase helps him return to a previous topic or reintroduce a word that was given by the audience.
- Example: “But back to the topic, y’all know my raps illin’…”
Without a Pause: This phrase allows you to continue your flow into a new idea without breaking the rhythm.
- Example: “Without a pause, I break down the rap laws…”
Remember, the secret to using transitional phrases effectively is to make them fit naturally within your freestyle. They should help you move smoothly from one idea to the next without disrupting the flow of your rap.
Mastering Smooth Transitions
Learning to weave in the next word or idea as you conclude the current one is a skill that takes practice. It requires you to think a step ahead, considering not only how you’ll end your current line but also how you’ll begin your next one. The best freestyle rappers often use transitional phrases or lines to bridge the gap between words or ideas.
Activity: Practice transitioning between different topics. Start with two unrelated words and try to create a few lines of freestyle rap that transitions smoothly from one to the other.
6. Repetition for Emphasis
In freestyle rap, repetition is not just a stylistic choice; it’s a strategic tool. When used effectively, it can serve to emphasize certain words or phrases, add rhythm and musicality to your freestyle, and even give you extra seconds to formulate your next line.
Mastering Repetition
Knowing when and how to use repetition can elevate your freestyle skills. But beware! Overuse can lead to redundancy and may bore your audience. Striking the right balance is key.
Activity: Write a short freestyle verse where you consciously use repetition for different purposes: for emphasis, to create rhythm, and to buy yourself some thinking time.
OR you can say the word that people gave you at the start which can jar your memory and they know what you’re about to create a rhyme about.
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