DJ Jazzy Jeff, genre icon and expert on flow in hip-hop, discusses the concept of flow in all music, not just hip-hop. The hosts analyze the flow of various rappers, including Biggie and Babytron. They also explore JID's unique flow and the power of flow in creating memorable songs.
Flow in hip hop is not just about the content of lyrics, but also about the rhythm, cadence, and timing of delivery.
Different rappers exhibit unique and diverse approaches to flow, with Black Thought showcasing lyrical precision, Baby Tron presenting off-beat and disjointed flow, and Megan Thee Stallion combining confidence, swagger, and unexpected rhythmic and melodic elements in her flow.
Deep dives
The Concept of Flow in Hip Hop
Flow in hip hop refers to the way a rapper delivers their lyrics, focusing on the rhythm, cadence, and timing. It is not just about the content of the lyrics, but how they are delivered. Flow can be influenced by the beat, with rappers riding the beat or counteracting it in a different time signature. Flow is more about feeling than hearing, and it can be found in various genres, not just limited to hip hop.
Black Thought's Meticulous Flow
Black Thought exhibits a flow that is a masterclass in lyrical precision and rhythmic complexity. His flow intricately weaves rhymes and accents, creating a unique percussion instrument that dances across the beat. The way he embeds rhymes in every word and extends them over multiple measures showcases his mastery of flow.
Diverse Approaches to Flow: Baby Tron, JID, and Megan Thee Stallion
The podcast explores the diverse approaches to flow in contemporary rap. Baby Tron's off-beat, disjointed flow creates a disorienting yet entertaining listening experience. JID's flow, although more in the pocket, surprises with long phrases that extend beyond the underlying groove. Megan Thee Stallion combines confidence, swagger, and unexpected rhythmic and melodic elements in her flow, captivating listeners with her power and versatility.
In hip-hop, what draws us to an artist is not just the content of their lyrics but how they deliver them. Along with tapping your foot to the rhythm, understanding something called “flow” is essential to understanding hip-hop as a whole.
In this episode of Switched On Pop, we interview genre icon DJ Jazzy Jeff on the concept of flow: what it is, how it applies to all music – not just hip-hop – and how any rapper’s flow can be analyzed under his guidelines. Taking his word for it, we put our magnifying glasses on to look at the bars of our favorite rappers, from Megan thee Stallion to Babytron.