Killer Consonance
There are tons of different styles of rap. Some artists focus their energy on creating memorable and interesting beats, others focus on lyricism and developing a strong narrative thread throughout the verses, and still, others spend their time writing hooks that stick in people’s heads until they have no choice but to keep listening.
This article deals with songs that are about the flow of the lyrics above all else. It’s not to say that they are necessarily lacking in other core elements, but that their power of dizzying rhyming structures, tongue-twisting alliteration, and killer consonance make these tracks stand out.
“Brain Cells” by Chance the Rapper
Before he became well known for his penchant for choirs and community building campaigns, Chance the Rapper made a name for himself as a talented writer. This was the first cut I ever heard from him, and I was immediately a fan. The way he delivers the bars “It’s a quarter to imminent / ten minutes to infinite / Rims, Henny, and reminisce / Nostalgia and M&M's / Cinnamon tone women and Feminine’s getting intimate” can only be described as buttery.
“Figaro” by Madvillain
The opener to this track is an upbeat game-show-esque fanfare that sets your expectations just to smash them with an assertive set of bars. Introductory lines “The rest is empty with no brain but the clever nerd / The best emcee with no chain ya ever heard” let the audience know that the Madvillain duo of MF DOOM and Madlib are not your average rappers. Boldness, in this case, pays off because the ensuing verses deliver on both wordplay and rhyme structure.
“Hive” by Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt is one of the artists that flaunts his writing ability above all else. Production, hooks, and approachable lyrics all take a backseat to the importance of tight syllabic mastery. “Hive” is a great example of this philosophy, exhibiting the ominous tones and nightmarish imagery that epitomizes Sweatshirt’s style. Verses given by fellow artists Vince Staples and Casey Veggies help support his vision so that the result hits you like a ton of bricks.
“Keep Pushin" by Blu
The first time I played this track it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The beat sounds like the vinyl record was melting while being recorded, putting the listener off balance. Blu’s lyrics leave a similar impression, with nonsensical-sounding rhymes heightening the vertigo set up by the beat. Once you get more accustomed to the pattern, the narrative opens up, pieced together from the mouthfuls of internal and near rhymes
“Hilary $wank” by Joey Bada$$
The track opens with the statement “hip-hop’s a jungle” and fully executes on that promise. A quick percussive drum line gives Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ the perfect backdrop to let loose a constant machine gun pace of tongue-twisting bars for the audience to try and navigate. In place of a hook, Bada$$ uses strategically placed trumpet fills to give a small break in between the wordplay-rich verses.