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Tell it Like it Is

Activity 1: What to say...

(5 minutes)

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Brainstorm ideas for your song. Often rappers write about something personal or about their everyday lives. Here is an article with tips for writing raps.

 

If you participated in the BGCA’s Lyricism 101 program, you can use one of the raps you already wrote. To watch club members' videos from the Lyricism 101 Cipher Competition, visit the Lyricism 101 YouTube Channel

Activity 2: Lyrics

(15 minutes)

 

Use your brainstorm to write lyrics for your rap. Try writing whatever comes to your mind. You can organize it later. Practice saying your lyrics out loud as you write them to get a feel for how they sound. Listen for rhythm and rhyme. 

Activity 3: Choose your Beat

(20 minutes)

 

You can make and record your own beats for your rap, or you can use beats from Creative Commons. Creative Commons is an organization that allows people to share creativity and knowledge in the form of photos, songs, data, scientific research, and more. For this project, you can use Creative Commons beats and/or audio to mix in with your  lyrics.

 

Browse and search the Creative Commons audio library at dig.ccMixter.org. When you find a file or two that you like, download it and save it to your computer.

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You could also create your beats in Soundtrap.com. Soundtrap includes free beats as well. 

  • To login to Soundtrap, create your own free account or use the following information:

Activity 4: Record

(15 minutes)

 

Ready to record yourself? Here are some options for recording audio content:

  • Record directly in Audacity, available by free download

    • If this is the first time you are using Audacity, or if you want a refresher on how to use it, watch this video tutorial or read this guide.​

  • Record with a smartphone or other digital recorder and then send the audio file to a computer

  • Record online (no download required) at Soundtrap.com ​


Practice your lyrics a few times before you record so they flow when you sing-read them. When you are ready, record and then play back your rap. Satisfied? You can always re-record.

Activity 6: Submit

(5 minutes)

 

Want to earn a few digital badges in audio production? Email your song (either an MP3 file or a link) to BGCAmediamaking@gmail.com 

Still Interested? Take a look at these resources: 

 

Video: Respect Rap Only

PDF: Guide to Using Audacity

Article: 10 Creative Uses for Audacity that You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

What You'll Need: 

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or

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Create, Record, and Edit Your Own Song

Activity 5: How does it sound?

(5 minutes)

 

Play around with putting all the files together until you are happy with your finished rap. Remember, if you get stuck or want help figuring out how to do something, try asking someone or looking it up on the internet. Chances are someone else has had the same question as you and someone else has answered that question and likely even created a tutorial.

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If you need to add a beat to your sound file, you could always pull in extra sounds. 

Lyricism 101 Cipher Competition Winner 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club

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