Uncovering the Surprising Rhyme Techniques Used in Kendrick Lamar's "Backseat Freestyle"

When it comes to writing rap lyrics, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that it's all about the flow. Kendrick Lamar is a master of this, and if you want to rap like him, you need to pay close attention to how he uses his words to create a unique sound.

Let's break down the first bars from "Backseat Freestyle" to get a better idea of how Kendrick constructs his rhymes. The first line starts with "God damn I feel amazing." Here, he's using a simple rhyme between "damn" and "amazing." It's not a perfect rhyme, but it's close enough that it flows smoothly.

The next line is where things start to get more interesting. He says, "Damn, I'm in the matrix. My mind is living on cloud nine and this nine is never on vacation." Here, he's using internal rhyming to tie the lines together. "Matrix" and "nine" don't rhyme exactly, but the "i" sound is repeated in both words, creating a subtle connection between them. The word "vacation" is a near-rhyme for "matrix," which helps to keep the flow going.

In the next line, Kendrick switches it up by using a more traditional rhyme: "Start up that maserati and vroom vroom I'm racing." Here, he's using a perfect rhyme between "racing" and "maserati." The repetition of the "r" sound in both words adds to the overall flow of the verse.

The next line is where Kendrick's storytelling skills come into play. He says, "Popping pills in the lobby and I pray they don't find her naked." Here, he's using a near-rhyme between "naked" and "insane." The "n" and "s" sounds are repeated in both words, which helps to tie them together. The word "lobby" doesn't rhyme with anything else in the verse, but its placement and emphasis help to create a sense of urgency in the story.

Finally, Kendrick ends the verse with the line, "And I pray you is insane." Here, he's using a slant rhyme between "insane" and "hating." The "a" sound is repeated in both words, creating a connection between them. The use of slang in the word "is" adds to the authenticity of the verse.

To rap like Kendrick Lamar, you need to be able to pay close attention to the details of your rhymes. It's not just about finding words that sound alike, but about using you