slang
Definition
Celebrity like influence or status
Example lyric
“ Bitch, this is fame, not clout, I don’t even know what that’s about, watch your mouth ”
Future ft. Drake - Life is Good
Rap Index
Open up the Rap Index – where hip hop speaks for itself. Every entry opens a window into the culture, the slang and the art of lyricism.
Hip hop lyrics are rich with history, techniques and real intent - and it all starts with the words. Think of the Rap Index as your glossary and guidebook to hip-hop lyricism, the language and the craft behind the bars.
Dive in to explore the language, slang and structure that bring lyrics to life.
Your shortcut to understanding hip-hop - one term at a time!
slang
Definition
To show off or brag about something
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
hip hop terms
Definition
The catchy, repeating section of a track
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
hip hop terms
Definition
The standard length of a verse
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
Definition
Extra sounds or phrases added for emphasis
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
Definition
An impactful line that follows a setup
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
hip hop terms
Definition
A freestyle including multiple artists or MC's who take turn rapping
Example lyric
“ When I got Summer a Michael Kors with my momma’s debit, A weak attempt at flexing, I’ll never forget it ”
Drake ft. Jhené Aiko - From Time
slang
Definition
Weed or Marijuana
Example lyric
“ They thought that I would die but I survived off spinach, Macho man, Popeye did it, And I know you lookin’ down so, Pop, I did it ”
Capital Steez - Apex
slang
Definition
Gangsta
Example lyric
“ Real Gs move in silence like lasagna ”
Lil Wayne - 6 Foot 7 Foot
slang
Definition
To talk trash
Example lyric
“ Don’t care who they offend, poppin yang (like you got Yen), Let’s stop the pretend, the ones that pop pistols by they waist men ”
Laury Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
slang
Definition
Scared or afraid but sometimes used for shocked or suprised
Example lyric
“ Son, they shook, ‘Cause ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks Scared to death, scared to look, they shook ”
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt II
slang
Definition
To understand something
Example lyric
“ Son, they shook, ‘Cause ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks Scared to death, scared to look, they shook ”
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt II
Check out similiar terms
Word
slang
Definition
To lie about something
Example lyric
“ Son, they shook, ‘Cause ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks Scared to death, scared to look, they shook ”
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Pt II
general
Definition
When a word, phrase or structure is intentionally repeated for emphasis, emotion, or to build rhythm
Example lyric
“ Hit my plug, that’s my cholo, Cause he got it for the low, low ”
O.T Genasis - CoCo
general
Definition
The repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words that are close together.
Example lyric
“ Shorty a lil’ baddie, shorty my lil’ boo thing ”
Pop Smoke ft. Lil Tjay - Mood Swings
general
Definition
Using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two things
Example lyric
“ Mayonnaise coloured benz I push miracle whip ”
Kanye West - Last Call
general
Definition
Comparing two things by saying one ‘is’ another
Example lyric
“ I could be iconic in my conquest? That’s word to Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest ”
Eminem - Legacy
general
Definition
Slant Rhyme
Example lyric
“ I saw myself sinkin’, shorty slipperyed the slope, My partner pray Salat and slang dope ”
Denzel Curry ft. Jasiah, Rico Nasty, JID, 6LACK, Buddy, Kitty Ca$h & Powers Pleasant - Ain't No Way
general
Definition
The pattern of the rhymes used in a line, verse or song
Example lyric
“ Today was like one of those fly dreams, Didn’t even see a berry flashin’ those high beams ”
Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day
general
Definition
Two or more syllables in a word or phrase rhyme with two or more syllables in another word or phrase
Example lyric
“ Hurby the producer ain’t no joke, He always makes sure the beats are dope ”
Salt'n'Pepa - It's alright
general
Definition
Repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words
Example lyric
“ Always gon’ be a whip thats better than the one you got, Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the ones you rock ”
J Cole - Love yours
general
Definition
The repetition of vowel sounds in words or syllables that are close together
Example lyric
“ Even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die, Horoscopes often lie, And sometimes ‘Y’ ”
Outkast - Aquemini
general
Definition
A rhyme that occurs within a single line of a verse, or between phrases within multiple lines
Example lyric
“ And I’m still living like a dope dealer, Finger on the trigger, ain’t takin’ shit from no nigga ”
Freddie Gibbs - Still Livin’
slang
Definition
To copy or take something
Example lyric
“ History repeats itelf and thats just how it goes, Same way that these rapper alway bite each other’s flows ”
J Cole - Fire Squad
hip hop terms
Definition
A rappers rhyming and rhythm on a beat
Example lyric
“ Mayonnaise coloured benz I push miracle whip ”
Kanye West - Last Call
slang
Definition
American 100 Dollar bills which have the portrait of Benjamin Franklin - American Inventor, Publisher, Philosopher and Scientist
Example lyric
“ Mayonnaise coloured benz I push miracle whip ”
Kanye West - Last Call
Check out similiar terms
Dead Presidents
slang
Definition
No definition available
Example lyric
“ Mayonnaise coloured benz I push miracle whip ”
Kanye West - Last Call
slang
Definition
Police or someone in a position of law enforcement. Evolved from an informal abbreviation for FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Example lyric
“ I’ma be fresh as hell if the Feds watching ”
2 Chainz - Feds Watching
Check out similiar terms
Berry
slang
Definition
Often used to describe someone’s appearance - something that looks good, well presented or impressive.
Example lyric
“ Always gon’ be a whip thats better than the one you got, Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the ones you rock ”
J Cole - Love yours
slang
Definition
Red and blue flashing lights on a police vehicle
Example lyric
“ Today was like one of those fly dreams, Didn’t even see a berry flashin’ those high beams ”
Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day
slang
Definition
Someone who has access to goods or services, often illegally. Commonly used to refer to a drug dealer
Example lyric
“ Hit my plug, that’s my cholo, Cause he got it for the low, low ”
O.T Genasis - CoCo
slang
Definition
Slang for a young woman
Example lyric
“ Shorty a lil’ baddie, shorty my lil’ boo thing ”
Pop Smoke ft. Lil Tjay - Mood Swings
Check out similiar terms
Broad
slang
Definition
A slang word used for leave or leaving
Example lyric
“ Had second hands, Mom’s bounced on old man, So then we moved to Shaolin land ”
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
Check out similiar terms
Dip
slang
Definition
No definition available
Example lyric
“ Had second hands, Mom’s bounced on old man, So then we moved to Shaolin land ”
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
slang
Definition
Slang word for goodbye
Example lyric
“ Peace out, yo, be easy, Jazzy Joyce, we’re outta here ”
Sweet Tee & Jazzy Joyce - It’s my beat
slang
Definition
No specific meaning but a casual word often used in agreement or aknowledgement
Example lyric
“ I could be iconic in my conquest? That’s word to Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest ”
Eminem - Legacy
slang
Definition
Firearm
Example lyric
“ If I’m in the club, I got that fire when I’m performin’ ”
Lil Baby x Gunna - Drip too hard
slang
Definition
Abbreviation meaning the greatest of all time, usually in reference to something or someone that is excellent or
Example lyric
“ Address me as the G.O.A.T like they call Chief Keef Sosa, In my sectional like a fuckin’ three-piece sofa ”
J. Cole - t h e . c l i m b . b a c k
Check out similiar terms
Dope
slang
Definition
Slang used to address someone familiar or close, used in Black culture
Example lyric
“ Beef is not what Jay said to Nas, Beef is when working niggas can’t find jobs ”
Mos Def - Beef
slang
Definition
Fight or disagreement
Example lyric
“ Beef is not what Jay said to Nas, Beef is when working niggas can’t find jobs ”
Mos Def - Beef
slang
Definition
Someone or something that is excellent, impressive or great
Example lyric
“ Hurby the producer ain’t no joke, He always makes sure the beats are dope ”
Salt'n'Pepa - It's alright
slang
Definition
Money, refering to Presidential portraits on American bills
Example lyric
“ I’m out for dead presidents to represent me ”
Nas - The world is yours
slang
Definition
Leave, sometimes quickly or in reference to escaping
Example lyric
“ Everybody got their passport ready to dip, uh ”
Young Thug ft. Travis Scott & Gunna - Floyd Mayweather
slang
Definition
Car, often flashy or expensive
Example lyric
“ Mayonnaise coloured benz I push miracle whip ”
Kanye West - Last Call