5 minute rap... too long?

experiMental

I wrote a 5 minute long rap, is that too long for a rap song?

The rap is purely for entertainment purpose

hellomoto

i wanna hear it >.<

batari

Well this is a classic, and it just about passes five minutes :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gD_CwF5YM

Boom_Bap

atariman wrote: »

Well this is a classic, and it just about passes five minutes :cool:

The original version of that is +14 minutes.

Length and time shouldn't be a factor, quality and substance is the key.

Shapey Fiend

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Length and time shouldn't be a factor, quality and substance is the key.

Generally speaking I think it's probably best in hip hop to keep things short and sweet. Just edit it all down till you're left with the best stuff. If you've no hooks then it can be hard to hold peoples attention for more than a couple of minutes, assuming your not a ridiculously good rhymer.

partyguinness

atariman wrote: »

Well this is a classic, and it just about passes five minutes :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gD_CwF5YM

Exactly what sprung to my mind....find is hard to get the full version on youtube...prob didnt do a video for the full version.

Boom_Bap

partyguinness wrote: »

Exactly what sprung to my mind....find is hard to get the full version on youtube...prob didnt do a video for the full version.

I'm actually reading a book at the moment which talks in detail about this song. Really interesting stuff, apparently the MCs didnt even know each other, where hand picked by a record label and only met on the day they recorded the song. A limo came and picked them all up and whisked them off to the studio to record. The original version of 14 minutes was recorded as it was perfrect for the club scene at the time. They then shortened it so that they could release to radio as a single. At the time they wanted some of the bigger names to perform the raps but nobody would agree to it.

But back on topic, long rhymes can be great, look at the Capadonna verse off Winter Wars. MF DOOM doesnt use hooks (the odd one sneaks in) and there are no problems....its just all about how it's presented.

My piece of advise is to make sure that your beat you are rhyming over packs enough punch to keep the attention that long, or that it changes up alot throughout.

partyguinness

Most of the Wu Tang lsongs have long verses

I remember reading a review of "Wu Tang Forever" when it came out in 1997 and the reviewer basically finished by saying:

"Yes Wu Tang Forever and ever and ever...." made me laugh

Or even Ill Communication by the Beaties Boys..."Get it together" with Q Tip goes on for ages...one of favourite songs though.

Point being..it can work very well.

experiMental

Great to hear some responses. I'll actually time my rap, it may be shorter than 5 minutes.

drlupin3

300 Bars and Runnin' was over 14 minutes and that was one of the best diss raps of all time