Rap punchlines are to hip hop like slam dunks are to basketball: if done correctly, they bring a crowd to their feet.
However, if you mess up, it's just about the most awkward and embarrassing situation imaginable.
Freestyle battle rap punchlines are given a little more slack than their written counterparts, since they are off the top of the head.
A decent freestyle rap punchline can bring the house down, and if you screw up, well, what the heck, you were just freestyling anyways...
Let's take a look at different types of rap punchlines: The set up/smack down approach.
In keeping with the basketball analogy, think of a solid punchline like an alley oop: the first line sets up, the second line slams it home.
For example, "I respond back, just like a restaurateur/ leave your ass feeling served while you're eating your words.
" Internal rhymes.
When you can string several multi-syllable rhymes together, it makes the phrase that much more deadly.
For example, here's a line TheSaurus, one of the greatest battle MC's today, said: "I'll smoke you like a purple eighth, and give you an early date at the pearly gates.
" Ouch...
The reversal.
This is where you take your opponents line and use it against him.
For example, let's say someone calls you a nerd in a battle.
You can respond "This guy claims I'm a nerd, well I guess that's true/ A nerd with words and verses much smarter than you!" OR "You call me a nerd 'cause of big words in my rapping? Son, your IQ's like your skill...
totally lacking.
" I hope some of these techniques have given you some ideas on how to construct solid rap punchlines.
Keep them in mind next time you battle; you never know what may come in handy.