How Hip Hop and Shakespeare Collide in Music

How Hip Hop and Shakespeare Collide in Music

Hip hop is Shakespearean

Hip hop often uses iambic pentameter, the same meter that Shakespeare used in his plays. Iambic pentameter is made up of five iambs, or two-syllable units with the emphasis on the second syllable. For example, the line “Hip hop is Shakespearean” is in iambic pentameter.

While Shakespeare wrote in verse form, hip hop artists sometimes use prose. Prose is a type of writing that does not have a formal rhyme or meter. However, like Shakespeare’s plays, hip hop lyrics often tell a story.

Some hip hop artists have even sampled lines from Shakespeare’s plays in their music. For instance, rapper Nas quoted lines from Julius Caesar and Macbeth in his song “Made You Look.”

Shakespeare’s influence in hip hop

While some people may believe that hip hop and Shakespeare are two completely different things, they actually have quite a lot in common. For example, both hip hop and Shakespeare use storytelling, rhythm, and wordplay to convey their message. In fact, many of Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted into hip hop songs.

The Bard’s iambic pentameter

In hip hop, the flow is everything. And while there are many elements that contribute to an artist’s style, the meter — the basic rhythmic structure of the words — is extremely important. In fact, many of the most celebrated MCs in the game are known for their complex and innovative flows.

One of the things that makes Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter so popular in hip hop is its flexibility. Unlike many other poetic meters, it can be easily adapted to fit any number of syllables. This makes it perfect for rappers who want to pack a lot of words into their verses without sacrificing the rhythm.

In addition, iambic pentameter often gives lyrics a sense of forward momentum — something that is essential in hip hop. When an MC is able to sustain a fast-paced rhyme scheme over the course of a verse, it creates an effect that can be both exhilarating and hypnotic for listeners.

Shakespeare’s wordplay

While it may seem an unlikely combination, hip hop and Shakespeare have been colliding in music for years. Rappers have been borrowing the Bard’s wordplay and using it in their own tracks, often to hilarious effect.

One of the most famous examples is from the rap group Arrested Development, who name-checked a whole host of Shakespeare characters in their song “Tennessee.” More recently, Kendrick Lamar drew on Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar in his track “The Blacker the Berry,” and J. Cole quoted Macbeth in his song “Fire Squad.”

Why do hip hop artists love quoting Shakespeare? It could be because of the allure of high culture, or because they appreciate the skill involved in crafting a good rhyme. Or it could simply be that they find Shakespeare’s words resonate with their own experiences.

whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that Shakespeare and hip hop make for strange bedfellows. But as these examples show, sometimes the results can be pretty awesome.

Themes of Shakespeare’s works that are relevant to hip hop

Hip hop artists reference Shakespeare in their music to communicate messages about a wide variety of topics, including love, rage, grieving, and politics. Some artists use specific references to Shakespeare’s plays to speak to the human condition, while others simply allude to his themes or Authorship.

In hip hop, as in Shakespeare’s plays, love is often portrayed as a fickle emotion. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous love stories of all time, the young lovers’ relationship is cut short by tragedy. In the hip hop song “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna, the speakers take turns detailing an abusive relationship marred by jealousy, distrust, and insecurity. While one could argue that neither Romeo nor the speakers in “Love the Way You Lie” are truly in love because of their destructive behaviors, it is clear that all four are powerfully affected by emotions that they cannot control.

Both Shakespeare and hip hop often explore the theme of rage. In Julius Caesar, for example, Brutus becomes so angry with Caesar that he murders him. In “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J, the speaker similarly grapples with anger; however, rather than giving into violence, he uses his anger as motivation to become a better rapper. LL Cool J demonstrates that hip hop can provide an outlet for anger that is productive rather than destructive.

Grief is another common theme in both Shakespeare’s works and in hip hop music. In “Take Care” by Drake ft. Rihanna, Drake mourns a lost love by reflecting on all of the happy moments they shared together. His grief is palpable as he raps about how much he misses her touch and her presence in his life. Grief is also a major theme in Hamlet; after his father’s ghost visit’s him and tells him that he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet devotes himself to avenging his father’s death. While Drake and Hamlet grieve for different reasons—Drake for a lost love and Hamlet for a lost father—both experience deep sorrow that affects every aspect of their lives.

Finally, politics are often addressed in hip hop just as they were in Shakespeare’s England. In Much Ado About Nothing, for example, Beatrice and Benedick engagingly argue about whether men or women are more disloyal; this debate mirrors real-life tensions between men and women during Shakespeare’s time. Similarly,”Formation” by Beyonce speaks to modern day issues of police brutality and racial inequality; she calls for unity among black people and encourages them to take pride in their race despite discrimination faced on a daily basis . By referencing these themes, Beyonce shows that she is tuned into significant political conversations happening both during Shakespeare’s time and today .

How hip hop artists have used Shakespeare in their music

Shakespeare has been a large part of English society for centuries, with his works being studied in schools and his plays being performed in theatres. In more recent times, Shakespeare has been appearing in unlikely places, such as in the lyrics of hip hop songs.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a hip hop artist who infuses Shakespearean elements into his music. He first gained widespread attention with his musical “In the Heights,” which tells the story of a Latino community in New York City. Miranda’s use of Shakespearean devices in his music, such as blank verse and sonnets, help to create a more lyrical and poetic flow to his songs. In addition, Miranda often references Shakespeare’s plays and characters in his lyrics, which helps to create a more layered and complex meaning to his songs.

Miranda’s use of Shakespearean elements in hip hop music has helped to create a more sophisticated and poetic style of rap. His lyrics are often compared to those of Shakespeare himself, due to their beautiful and complex rhetoric. In addition, Miranda’s use of Shakespearean allusions and references help to create a more intellectually stimulating experience for the listener.

Kanye West

Kanye West is one of the most popular and successful hip hop artists of all time. He is also one of the most controversial. In 2010, he released his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album was a critical and commercial success, but it was also rife with references to Shakespeare.

For example, in the track “Power,” West raps, “You know what’s more important than throwin’ away money at a strip club? Credit/ You ever wonder why Jewish people own all the property in America? This how they did it.” Here, West is referencing the stereotype that Jews control the financial world. He playfully inverts it by suggesting that perhaps they got their wealth by thriftiness, not by exploiting others.

This is just one example of how West weaves Shakespearean references into his music. Other tracks on the album contain references to Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet. In doing so, West demonstrates his vast knowledge of literature and his willingness to use it in unexpected ways.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar, one of the most popular and acclaimed rappers of our time, has used Shakespearean themes in his music throughout his career. In his 2015 hit song “King Kunta”, Kendrick makes several references to Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. For example, in the lines “I’m the modern-day Julius Caesar /voyaging in oversees and beyond seas” and “anca’s like Brutus, I’m gone off that Indo”, Kendrick is comparing himself to two of the main characters in Julius Caesar. In the first instance, he likens himself to Julius Caesar, the great Roman general and leader who was assassinated by his friend Brutus. In the second instance, Kendrick compares himself to Brutus, saying that just like Brutus killed Julius Caesar, he (Kendrick) will kill anyone who tries to stop him from achieving his goals.

Kendrick also references Shakespeare’s play Macbeth in his song “The Blacker the Berry”. In the line ” monarchy got my monopoly / but they can’t stop me from grizzly bearin’ all these lower than myself lows “, Kendrick is making a direct reference to Macbeth’s famous soliloquy in which he ponders whether or not to kill Duncan, the king of Scotland. Kendrick is saying that even though there are people who are trying to keep him down (represented by the monarchy), he will still succeed because he is willing to do whatever it takes (represented by grizzly bear).

Finally, in Kendrick’s song “DNA”, he once again references Julius Ceasar with the line “I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA”. This time, Kendrick is referencing the fact that even though he comes from a long line of gang members and criminals (represented by loyalty and royalty), he has still managed to achieve success in life.

Shakespeare has been a source of inspiration for many hip hop artists over the years and Kendrick Lamar is just one example of how these two seemingly disparate worlds can come together to create something beautiful and unique.

The benefits of studying Shakespeare in hip hop

It is no secret that hip hop has been heavily influenced by Shakespeare. In fact, many scholars have argued that hip hop is the modern day equivalent of Shakespearean sonnets. By studying Shakespeare, hip hop artists are able to improve their lyrical prowess and storytelling ability. Furthermore, Shakespeare’s works often deal with universal themes that are still relevant today. As a result, studying Shakespeare can help hip hop artists create more relatable and impacting music.

A new perspective

Shakespeare is not usually linked with hip hop, but there are many modern references to his work in this popular music genre. For example, the 2004 film “Shakespeare Homeboy” features a young man from the inner city who finds new meaning in “Romeo and Juliet” after studying it in class. In the same year, the album “Othello: Beats & Rhymes” was released by the group React Theater, which set key scenes and speeches from Shakespeare’s play to hip hop beats.

Hip hop artists often use Shakespearean themes and ideas to explore issues such as love, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge. In doing so, they offer a new perspective on these timeless topics. For instance, Jay-Z’s song “Dirt off Your Shoulder” contains a line from Julius Caesar: “I’m only human; I have a soul as well.” By referencing this line, Jay-Z is able to convey his own vulnerability despite his tough exterior.

In another example, Nicki Minaj’s song “Roman’s Revenge” is a response to Eminem’s track “The Real Slim Shady.” In her song, Minaj makes reference to several of Shakespeare’s plays, including Hamlet and Macbeth. By using these references, she is able to create a more sophisticated diss track that demonstrates her knowledge of literature as well as her rap skills.

So why are hip hop artists drawn to Shakespeare? Perhaps it is because his works offer a fresh perspective on universal themes that are still relevant today. Or maybe it is because Shakespeare’s language is both beautiful and powerful. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that Shakespeare and hip hop make for an interesting and unlikely combination.

A way to connect with the Bard

In his 2007 hip hop album “Illmatic,” rapper Nas raps, “I am the ruler / I mean, the Rawshida / I’m like Marley, Abdul and Shakespeare.” By connecting himself to three of the most important cultural figures in history, Nas not only establishes his own importance as an artist, but also makes a case for the value of Shakespeare in contemporary society.

For centuries, people have been finding new ways to connect with the Bard. In the 20th century, Shakespeare was adapted for cinema, television and radio. In the 21st century, he’s being discovered by a new generation through hip hop music.

Though it may seem like an unlikely pairing, hip hop and Shakespeare have a lot in common. Both are traditions that emerged from marginalized communities – Shakespeare from the working class in Elizabethan England and hip hop from poor black and Latino communities in New York City. Both have been dismissed by the mainstream as vulgar and unintelligent. And both have been embraced as powerful sources of expression by those who understand their value.

As Nas suggests, there is much to learn from Shakespeare – not just about language and literature, but about humanity. His plays are full of characters struggling with universal issues like love, loss, power and betrayal. By studying Shakespeare, we can learn about ourselves and the world around us.

A way to connect with the music

While some people may see hip hop and Shakespeare as two completely different worlds, there are actually a lot of similarities between the two. Both hip hop and Shakespeare use wordplay, metaphors, and similes to tell stories and paint pictures with words. In addition, both hip hop and Shakespeare often deal with similar themes, such as love, loss, betrayal, and ambition.

One of the benefits of studying Shakespeare in hip hop is that it can help you to better understand and appreciate the music. Hip hop can be seen as a modern day version of Shakespearean drama, with MCs playing the role of the tragic hero or heroine. By understanding the literary devices that Shakespeare used in his plays, you can better appreciate how these same devices are used in hip hop songs.

In addition, by studying Shakespeare in hip hop, you can gain a greater understanding of the culture surrounding the music. Hip hop is often seen as a tough, macho culture, but studying Shakespeare can help you to see the other side of it. For instance, many hip hop songs deal with love and loss in a way that is very similar to Shakespearean tragedy. By understanding how these themes are dealt with in both hip hop and Shakespeare, you can get a deeper understanding of both cultures.