ese niggas learn the hard way The word to God way The mother*censored*in murder mob wayIn addition to this extensive, community-specific vocabulary, rap acts such as Biz Markie and Das EFX bend words and shatter established syllabics in order to f it their lyrical objectives. By using the extended language provided by rap culture, striving to fit lyrical or rhyming needs becomes a less formidable roadblo ck in the composition of written or freestyle rap lyrics. Boasting or "flyting" by epic heroes is characteristic of oral epic poet ry from many oral cultures. This reciprocated verbal bragging is usually manifested in a competition between the hero and his adversary, battling to see who ca n boast the most effectively. These poetic exchanges serve the purpose of enfor cing the hero's olympian stature, and of illustrating his skill in confrontation through the verbal battles. Walter Ong likens flyting to the Caribbean/African American verbal game called the "dozens"--an exchange in which two men ping-pon g insults of each other's mother back and forth. The thematic evolution of rap lyrics has led to rap artists often boasting of their own prowess in their rhymes. Kool G Rap paints a glamorous self-por trait in his first solo album: And once again it's big G Runnin the number rackets Wearin Pelle jackets Fast loot tactics I'm well up in the millionaire bracket . . . Jacuzis and saunas And eatin steak at Benihana's Bentley's limousine A front yard stream That's full of pirahnasRappers extoll their capabilites while laying their competitors to rest--boasting about anything and everything, including lyrical skills, material wealth, what weapons they claim to carry, their sexual activity, their ability to sell drugs or commit crime without going to prison, and the ...
