A beginner’s guide to rap lingo

In case you are a parent or elder who does not understand the very sophisticated lingo used in this article, here are some definitions of the words used that once you hear may change your perception and give you a deeper understanding to the entire music genre of hip hop and rap:

Diss track: A diss track or diss song (diss — abbr. from disrespect) is a song intended to verbally attack someone else, often as a response to someone’s diss track. While musical parodies and attacks have always existed, the trend became increasingly common in the hip hop genre fuelled by the hip

hop rivalry phenomenon. Clout: Influence or power. Danker: Originated from the word dank, describing something as really good.

Low fi: Music that is mellow, ordinary, quiet, but in a funky kind of way.

Haters: A person that simply cannot be happy for another person’s success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.

C.R.E.A.M.: Cash Rules Everything Around Me, originated in NYC, specifically Staten Island.

In a lyric: “Cash rules everything around me, .C.R.E.A.M. Get the money, dollar dollar bill, y’all.” — Wu Tang Clan, “C.R.E.A.M.”

Jiggy: Fly or cool and originated in NYC, specifically Harlem. In a lyric: “Let’s get the dough and stay real jiggy.” — Jay-Z, “Hard Knock Life”

Represent: From or exemplifying and it originated in NYC, specifically Brooklyn.

In a lyric: “What ya throwin on? Biggie Smalls, who you represent?” — Notorious BIG, “Jeans and Sneakers”

Gangsta: Means gangster or tough and it originated in L.A.

In a lyric: “Gangsta, gangsta! That’s what they’re yellin.’ It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality.”

— NWA, “Gangsta Gangsta”

SOURCES: Urban Dictionary and Dictionary.com