How To Write A Rap Song, From Start To Finish (Step-By-Step)

Comprehensive Rap Songwriting Tutorial by Drew Marcy

In this engaging and detailed tutorial, Drew Marcy—a seasoned professional rapper and rap coach—guides viewers through the entire process of writing a rap song from start to finish. Unlike many quick or superficial YouTube guides, this video offers a deep dive into songwriting with clear, step-by-step instructions backed by Drew’s decade-plus experience touring and coaching.

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Key Highlights

Writing Your First Verse

Drew breaks down the foundational approach to writing a rap verse, emphasizing:

• Starting with a 16-bar structure.
• Using first-person present tense descriptions of frustrating circumstances.
• Drawing inspiration from rap legends like Eminem, Tupac, and Nas.
• Choosing your writing method: pen and paper, phone, or mental composition, with pros and cons humorously discussed (including a joke about Drake’s ghostwriter).

The Four-Bar Method

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, Drew suggests writing four bars at a time, guiding you to:

1. Paint vivid pictures of your struggles.
2. Describe how people around you feel.
3. Share your plans to overcome adversity.
4. Express the feelings of success you envision.

Overcoming the Verse Two Blues

Many rappers struggle with writing a second verse that matches the first. Drew offers:

• Mental preparation tips.
• Flow-switching techniques.
• Beat rearrangement advice.
• The “Three E’s” prompts to spark creativity:
  • Environments
  • Events
  • Emotions
• Suggestions to add bridges or refrains to ease pressure.

Chorus Writing Strategies

Drew outlines three main chorus types:

• Now Do Chorus Commanding or directing the audience or an opponent. Example: Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.”

• Talk To Chorus Conversational style addressing a person or subject directly. Examples: Eminem’s “Cleaning Out My Closet,” Drake’s “Best I Ever Had.”

• Wide View Chorus Painting broad, vivid scenes or concepts like cityscapes or nightlife. Examples: Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” Kanye West’s “All of the Lights.”

Full Song Walkthrough

Drew demonstrates writing a complete rap song in under 12 minutes by:

• Selecting chorus placement based on the beat’s structure.
• Crafting a memorable hook with simple, repetitive phrases.
• Choosing flows that evolve throughout the verses.
• Emphasizing switching up flows every few bars to keep listeners engaged.

Additional Tips

• Record what you have to spur progress.
• Rearrange beats with proper licensing.
• Use bridges to break up the song structure and avoid creative blocks.

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Style and Presentation

Throughout the video, Drew’s approachable style shines through with:

• Light-hearted jokes (e.g., poking fun at ghostwriting rumors).
• Personal anecdotes, including his own physical transformations over the years.
• Promotion of his artist development and freestyle courses for those wanting to dive deeper.

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Personalities Featured

• Drew Marcy — Host, rap coach, and professional rapper.

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Summary

This tutorial stands out for its thoroughness, practical advice, and motivational tone, making it an invaluable resource for aspiring rappers ready to write their first full song or overcome common songwriting hurdles.