sixwordstories | (no subject)

The human mind receives pleasure from being able to anticipate the next lyric, so the simplistic rhyming scheme is beneficial.

Yes! But it is essentially poetry, yes? What is the obsession with beats and 'sick rhymes.'?

The beat, I assume, provides the same benefit as the lyrics. "Sick rhymes" sounds a great deal like vernacular. Can lyrics be ill or does that mean poorly done?

It is vernacular. Something I encountered while listening to their diseased rhymes.

I do not know. Is investigation in order?

It doesn't seem a pressing topic, but you may research it if you like.

It's the oldest way of making music. Cavemen all clonked on a log in the 3/4 time with rocks, nodding their heads as Og related the sick cypher of...Wait, you're Huginn? Think of it as a kind of beot.

Music, I understand. Poetry and music often go hand in hand, but this seems to be a strange fusion of the two.

..How is it you've come to know my nature?

A beot? How curious! Are they challenging someone? Some could consider that rude.

It reminds me of spoken word poetry, although both have their share of flaws.

Ah! I had come to that conclusion too. The spoken word poetry, but the underlying beat and sometimes very abrasive lyrics throw me.

They need to use abrasive language to discuss dark topics. Like Jeff Stumpo's poem 'The Valley And The Shadow Of Our Former Selves'. The wording helps emphasize the feelings.

Of course, there's a lot of rap that's just terrible. But that's true of any medium.

I don't think that's true at all. One only need be passionate in order to get across a point. Although a few keywords help here and there.

Oh my yes. Do you have any idea how many poems are sung in honor of such and such? Many of them are awful.

I disagree, sir. Jen Gi's usage of the word 'cunt' in her poem about her rape made me run into a wall. There's incredible effectiveness that can be achieved if you're careful with it. Though the tone might've been a large factor as well, which is why spoken word is more effective to me than written poetry.

But I have to confess to loving parody raps. It's amazing how the medium can be used to lighten the mood in the right hands.

No one is arguing the effectiveness of shock with such a word used in a poem. Or any kind of written or spoken, ah, medium. I'm unfamiliar with the woman or her unfortunate situation however.

Oh? Allow me to counter confess to never having heard only a minimal amount of rap in the first place.

The woman in question was talking about her family's reactions after it happened to her. That was one of the things her father said to her - and it stuck with her. I swear the entire room froze when she went on. And there was a pause after she finished before we could gather ourselves together enough to applaud.

A common thing to do nowadays is to parody commercials, advertisements and propoganda by taking the rhyme scheme and deconstructing the idea. They can be effective at making you laugh and think; Ben Mellor's Television Will Not Be Revolutionized is an outstanding example.

That seems a grim topic for a young lady, I'm told these days. And this was a public recital of some kind you heard? Seems even grimmer a thing to applaud to.

Commercials? Explain, if you would, mortal. Oh now this is interesting, a number of words make no sense to me here.

It was a poetry slam in New York. Open to the public, but you'd have to be eighteen or older to get into the bar. And we were applauding her bravery to speak up on a topic most people never dare to talk about. It was personal, therefore it was beautiful.

Commercials are songs and rhymes on TV, the internet and radio meant to sell you something or convert you to a viewpoint. Rappers and poets have made whole careers out of mocking them. But I'm happy to explain whatever it is you don't understand.

A poetry slam? Is this something that happens often in New York? Munin and I will fly there next perhaps. Things closest to the heart are often the most touching, in one fashion or another. Oh, I don't believe age would be a problem. I recall when mortals would sing songs of bravery, or recite poems to inspire for battles and things.

Ah, modern conveniences. People make careers out of words now? I suppose there have always been poets in one way or another. Warriors really are phased out aren't they?

Poetry slams are nights of spoken word performances by poets. Open mic nights are for anyone who shows up. Other times there are competitions, and sometimes it's just a few performers speaking to promote certain themes. Much of it is very personal - trauma, love, people in your life, social issues, religion. It's too varied to explain properly.

Yes. New York and Chicago are home to thousands of poets, though it doesn't always pay well enough to survive solely on. Hence the term 'starving artist'. And yes, warriors are sort of a thing of the past now. At least to some people.