Experimental
As we all know, most rap is liked because of its significant differences from other styles and genres of music. The more original the rap, the more popular it is. This originality makes the lyrics of their music "experimental." Although most are written in the same form, the sound effects and rhymes are always different. A perfect example of this that I found was Missy Elliot's "Work It." The following are the lyrics:
"Work It" by Missy Elliot
Lyrics:
[Scratching]DJ please
Pick up your phone
I'm on the request line[Scratching]
This is a Missy Elliott one time exclusive
[Chorus]
Is it worth it, let me work it
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it
It's (I put thing down, flip and reverse it)*Backwards 2x*
If you got a big [elephant], let me search it
To find out how hard I gotta work ya
It's (I put thing down, flip and reverse it)*Backwards 2x*
[Verse 1]
I'd like to get to know ya, so I can show ya
Put the pussy on ya, like I told ya
Gimme all your numbers so I can phone ya
Your girl acting stank than call me ova
Not on the bed, lay me on your sofa
Call before you come, I need to shave my chocha
You do or you don't or you will or you won't cha
Go downtown and eat it like a vulcha
See my hips and my tips don't cha
See my ass and my lips don't cha
Lost a few pounds in my whiffs for ya
This the kinda beat that go bha ta ta
Ra ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta
Sex me so good I say blah blah blah
Work it, I need a glass of wata
Boy oh boy its good to know ya
[repeat chorus]
[verse 2]
If you're a fly gal, then get your nails done
Get a pedicure, get your hair did
Boy lift it up, lets make a toasta
Lets get drunk, its gon bring us closa
Don't I look like a HalleBerry posta?
See dem Belvedere playin tricks on ya
Girlfriend wanna be like me neva
You won't find a bitch that's even betta
I make it hot as Las Vegas weatha
Listen up close while I take you backwards
(Watch the way Missy like to take it backwards)*Backwards*
I'm not a prostitute but I can give you whatchu want
I love your braids and your mouth full of fonts
Love the way my ass bump bump bump bump bump bump
Keep your eyes on my bump bump bump bump bump
And think you can handle this ga-dunk ga-dunk dunk
Take my thong off and my ass go boom
Cut the lights off so you see what I can do
[repeat chorus]
[verse 3]
Boys, boys, all type of boys
Black, white, Puerto Rican, Chinese boys
thanga thang, thanga thang
Girls, girls, get that cash
If its not a foul shakin that ass
Ain't no shame ladies, do your thang
Just make sure you ahead of tha game
Just cuz I got a lot of fame supa
Prince couldn't get me change my name howpa
Kunta Kinte, enslave a game, no se
Picture black sayin oh yesa massa
Picture Lil' Kim dating a pastor
Minute man big red can outlast ya
Who is the best, I don't have to ask ya
When I come out, you won't even matta
Why you act dumb like ughhh, duh
So you act dumb like ughhh, duh
And the drummer boy go pa rum pum pum pum
Give ya some some, some of this in a bun
[repeat chorus]
To my fellas, ooooh
Good God, I like the way you work that
[scratching]
To my ladies, woo
You sure know how to work that, good God
Now that you have read the lyrics and despite its explicit language, you can see how in the chorus when it says "backwards 2x" next to the words in parentheses, she actually says those words backgrounds. Due to the fact that she claims she is going to "put her thing down, flip it, and reverse it," she proves it to us by actually reversing the words she just said. Another experimental thing she does is make all words that end in ER end in an A. For example, toasta = toaster, neva= never, weatha= weather, etc.
While many rappers do this, her excessive use of it makes it more original. Not only does she use that as a technique, we also see repetition of words such as "bump bump bump bump." This makes the song fun to sing along with as well as continuing to rhyme. There is also the example of "sex me so good I go blah blah blah."
The sound effects in this song really make it as well. When she says "If you got a big [elephant] let me search it." The noise of the elephant gives the effect of "Oh No, bad word should be inserted here." I think this a great and fun way of changing words and being experimental.
The most experimental thing we are able to see here is her creation of non-existing words to substitute for words that may be inappropriate (although the song itself is inappropriate). For example, "Call before you come, I need to shave my chocha." Without having to say the real word, I will simply say she has made up "chocha" to infer a different word. Another example of this is with the line "And think you can handle this ga-dunk ga-dunk dunk" which she uses the "ga-dunk" as a way of saying her butt, behind, booty, whichever normal word you prefer.
Suggestions:
1. When writing experimentally, try and think "outside of the box." Refrain from someone else's ideas or common themes.
2. Even though you may be disregarding all rules, make it evident to the reader/listener what you are doing so they do not come to assumption that you aren't very smart.
3. Have fun and make up words if you must. The more exciting, the more experimental it is.
To hear the words as well as see the interesting video to this song, click on the following link:
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