The breakdown room

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words. The consonant sounds are typically in the middle or at the end of words – it creates rhythm without a full rhyme.

Consonance adds another layer to lyrics. It adds texture and rhythm and allows artists to make lyrics sound cohesive without using perfect rhyme. It’s particularly useful for artists when maintaining flow and structure whilst using varied vocabulary.

• Sounds like “k”, “t”, “s”, “l” or “n” subtly appearing again and again
• Repetitive percussive sounds that almost sound like snares or hi-hats

• Tech N9ne – repeated consonants enhance his rapid, precise delivery
• Pharoahe Monch – tight consonant patterns that emphasise rhythm and punch
• Rapsody – clever consonance that strengthens her lyrical clarity