Learn How To Rap On Beat

Here’s to how to rap on, ahead or behind the beat.

OK, the first thing to look at is the time signature. The time signature lets you know how many beats are in a measure.

For example, music with a time signature of 4/4 means there are four quarter-note beats per measure.

Rap is almost ALWAYS in 4/4 time, so let’s focus on that.

For example:

ONE and TWO and THREE and FOUR

Now this is important: in this example TWO and FOUR are called the “backbeat”.

So in a rap it looks like this:

1 – and – 2 – and – 3 – and 4
OLD Mc DON ald HAD a FARM

And the backbeat is on “DON” and “FARM”.

Click here to listen to an example of time signatures.

Then select 4/4 time signature. There’s a whole bunch of time
signatures to play with, so take some time and listen to a few.

Anyways, back to rapping ahead of the beat.

If 4/4 time is like this:

1 – and – 2 – and – 3 – and 4
OLD Mc DON ald HAD a FARM

You can rap in front of the beat like this:

1 – 2 – and – 3 – 4

See how the AND is taken out before 2 and 4?

THAT is how you rap ahead of the beat.

Now, this looks a LOT easier than it really is.

Because your whole life you’ve been taught to rap on the breakbeat.

Rappers who rap exactly on the backbeat (like Andre Benjamin of
Outkast) are said to be “in the pocket”.

MC’s who flow slightly ahead of the backbeat tend to sound energetic (like Eminem on “Lose Yourself”) while those behind the backbeat are laid-back (like Snoop Dogg on, well, everything).

Here’s the key: it’s ALL in the backbeat.

Forget beats 1 and 3.

Just focus on beats 2 and 4.

Let me say that again: focus on beats 2 and 4. They are the only ones
that matter here!

Now click here to go back to the listen to an example of time signatures.

Select 4/4 time signature, and have a written rap ready.

Then focus on moving your raps just before and after the downbeat.

Just a little bit. That’s all you need.

Now, practice that over and over again until it’s second nature. And
once you get bored with that, try moving ahead and behind the beat.

For example, try to hit just BEFORE the 2, and just AFTER the 4.

Chances are, it won’t sound good at first, But if you practice enough,
you’ll begin to swing back and forth, which really adds to your flow.

Well, that’s it: how to rap on top, in front and behind the beat!

* If this tip helped you, then check out The Complete MC. It's an easy to use guide that will teach you how to rap.