Did you have a party piece when you were little?
When we were kids, my family would make me and my sister perform The Anfield Rap for anybody who’d listen. They’d kit us out in Liverpool t-shirts, hats and scarves and roll us out in front of visitors to spit bars and mimic John Barnes.
Everyone would gather around as the two of us took turns being Steve McMahon, John Aldridge or Craig Johnston. We loved it. We knew every word (still do) and made pocket money for the privilege.
Although it’s far from a hip-hop classic, the song was my first flirtation with rap. It wasn’t until years later that I fell in love with the music when me Ma bought me Gangsta’s Paradise on cassette.
As soon as I heard that synth-string intro, I was hooked.
Der-der-de-de…de-re de de de…
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realise there’s nothing left.
Coolio’s lyrics take you straight to the heart of the story, no messing about. One line to set the scene, then BOOM, you’re on a journey with a ten in your hand and a gleam in your eye.
It’s an incredible skill that rappers have. They connect us to their worlds from the word yo, even though the subject matter may be unfamiliar. Kinda like copywriters.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more apparent it becomes that rappers’ and hip-hoppers’ mastery of words and language makes them an undervalued writing resource.
So, because copywriting is the game and Lee The OC is my (would-be) rap name, I’mma take you on a trip to see what’s good in ‘hood with an series called…
The Art of Storytelling.
Here’s how it’ll go down.
Sign up for this free series and you’ll be transported to the world of nineties and noughties hip-hop on the lookout for copywriting inspiration.
Learning how rap stars’ mastery of words and language can help level up your writing skills, why white men should never wear durags and who really shot Tupac.
Sign up for The Art of Storytelling here.
Lee The O’C
P.S. – The series name takes inspiration from Slick Rick’s first album of the same name. Get it on your playlist.