Scrypt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scrypt (also known as script but mostly referred to as text) is a style of contemporary hip hop poetry popular on several hip hop-oriented Internet message boards. It is inspired from the lyrics to underground rap music and differs from traditional poetry in that it heavily incorporates complex and structured rhyme and rhyme scheme, dialect, implied rhythm and visual wordplay. Also, like many other forms of poetry, scrypt can be used effectively as a narrative tool. Scrypt pieces can be written to include plots, characterization, dialogue, and most often are used to make a moral or social statement.
Contents |
[edit] Technique
[edit] The Use of Rhymes
Despite the apparent disdain Robert Frost had for "free verse," (describing it as playing tennis with the net down) most modern forms of poetry have ignored the discipline and structure that accompany rhyming poetry. Among literary circles, rhyming poetry is often seen as the work of a novice. If any rhyme is used it is sparse and inconsequential. Scrypt generally depends heavily on the use of rhyme, which makes it unique and, arguably, more challenging to master.
Writers pain-stakingly search -- and at times, even manipulate -- the English language to complete disciplined structures. Writers sometimes heavily weave rhymes throughout their pieces to the point of abstract incoherence. This apparent "rhyme obsession" of scrypt is partly due to the fact that, unlike rapping, scrypt artists are not confined by a beat or musical meter. As a result, writers are allowed the artistic freedom to explore rhymes.
[edit] Complex Rhyme Structures
Heavily influenced by underground hip hop lyricists, scrypt has always required a greater emphasis on complex rhyme schemes as a sign of skill and ability. These rhyme patterns include:
- outer rhymes (rhymes appearing at the end of lines), (e.g Embrace the hallow face of sorrow… script them in serials/with the hellhounds on you, you should have plenty material, )[1]
- inner rhymes (rhymes placed inside lines), (e.g SickSick…Demonic ebonics, moving with perverted inertia /F-ck their cacophonic harmonics…this verbage will hurt ya, )[2]
- "kick-backs" (rhymes that bounce from outside to inside the line) (e.g,a living legend' giving peasants petty lessons, using theft as weapons/death, don’t let in, breath is air breathed from other dimensions,)[3]
- "carry-overs" (schemes that connect couplets with different rhymes), etc. (e.g fell in love and experienced the hellish fun/devils run around with spirits with a spell or some/get mail in tons, sell for funds, snort rails in dozens)
- "multisyllabic rhyme" (known among writers as multis or multies) i.e rhyming more than one corresponding syllable of a phrase with another, such as "damaged rib" and "savage fib".
As a result of the rigor involved in maintaining rhyme patterns, scrypt artists sometimes forego using exact rhymes. Often, when supported by strong rhyme schemes, half rhymes may be employed. Writers often use regional dialects to make distant words with similar sounds appear to rhyme, such as rhyming "black" with "cat", or rhyming "mail" with "cell", which sound more similar in certain dialects, while in others sound completely different.
[edit] Flow & Rhythm
Unlike traditional poets, scrypt writers typically don't consider meter very heavily, although it is very prevalent. As a result, it becomes the writer's burden to create a rhythm that can be translated from the writer's sub-conscious to the reader.
Writers who are capable of using even, methodical rhythm created by connecting rhymes into a recognizeable scheme, line length and structure are considered to be using good flow (a term common in poetry). When lines drag along, separate from each other, or do not seem to be complimentary, the writer is seen as having a "stretched", or often simple "bad" flow. Some writers educated in classic poetry may use forms such as iambic pentameter.
[edit] Visual Wordplay
Another unique aspect of scrypt is its use of visual wordplay, often puns. Visual wordplay is a poetic tool confined for scrypt art and is written to be read, as opposed to being read aloud.
In scrypt, there are three most commonly used types of visual wordplay.
- Word Fusion, which involves combining two or more words to form an entirely different word;
- Word Fission, which involves dividing a word into syllables and connecting the different syllables in altered ways; and
- Double Meaning, which involves the usage of homophones to subtract multiple meanings from a single line.
While some writers like to sprinkle their pieces with occasional wordplay, others have built entire styles and works around wordplay, creating complex and intricate lyrical puzzles. The usage of visual wordplay is also what separates scrypt from the audio performance of hip hop rapping and spoken word poetry.
Writers may also use Rebus puzzle-like visual devices in their pieces. For example instead of using the phrase "pronounce your death", a writer may simply type out the phonetic spelling of the word "Death" which would be dĕth. Symbols such as ! or @ are also used.
[edit] Keystyling
The practice of keystyling (a play of freestyling), evolved from a text version of battle rap and battle writers' need to ensure the authenticity of their opponents' text. Online there is no real way to make sure another writer isn't simply taking someone's work to use in a battle, (called biting in hip hop circles), so the spontaneous creation of rhymes and concepts from given cues (such as writers trading several words to use in their verses) developed.
Practice spread to all other aspects of scrypt and soon the idea of keystyling became a staple for writers as a way of impressing upon readers their skill and mental abilities.
The concept of spontaneous creation is not new to poetry. The philosopher Plato argued that true poetry cannot be planned, but instead follows immediately upon inspiration. Similarly, English romantic poet William Wordsworth agreed saying that "All good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." It is in that same vein, that most scrypt writers believe their best work comes when they write everything down in one sitting. Some writers choose to edit their material once written, others choose to present their work as is; mistakes, typos and all included.
Speed also varies depending on the writer. Some artists are able to complete a line per minute, and can create a 50 to 60 line story in under an hour, others may take considerably longer. For many, the key is to simply finish the piece in the one sitting.
Keystyling is not to be confused with freestyling, which is confined to rapping. Keystylists, i.e writers who choose to limit their method of writing solely to spontaneous creation, are allowed considerably more time than rappers. As a result, "keyed" pieces are sometimes held to higher artistic standards.
"Scrypt" also has developed into an ever-growing style of competitive writing akin to hip hop "rap battling." Particularly on the internet it is used for some as a stepping stone towards becoming recording artists, or as a means of increasing one's ability to battle rap.
[edit] History
The literary concept of an online-born visual poetry written in the hip hop aesthetic, has existed since the mid to late 1990s. Prior to this name, the term "text", the most common and oldest term for this type of writing online, was widely used to describe this type of poetry.
It should be noted that "text" is nothing new in of itself. The act of writing one's rhymes before recording was started by early rappers in the late 1970s. Only recently, with the popularity of freestyle rhyming and the growing number of rappers choosing to create rap verses entirely in their heads (i.e. Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne), has the process evolved to the point where writing rhymes for the recording process may not always be necessary.
The term "text" was chosen by Hip Hop Web site administrators to describe this isolated part of the rap process that for decades had not needed a name. Many administrators, during the Internet's infancy years, had created Hip Hop sites as a medium not only for fans but for artists. But with personal audio capabilities being limited, many individuals resorted to the idea of text as a way of showcasing their abilities.
Outside of actual artists, most Hip Hop Web site members, later called textcees, include young, often teenaged, hip hop enthusiasts. Many of whom were attempting to start careers in hip hop music, but lacked the time, money, equipment, opportunity or nerve. For these individuals, the Internet offered a place to practice writing or get feedback within the privacy of their own homes or offices. Others, who had been able to broker themselves small recording deals, or who were shopping demos, joined the communities as a way of promoting themselves. Few, however, considered text as a form of poetry. Rather, it was simply a means to an end.
Near the decade's end, with audio abilities increasing in quality, many textcees began recording their rhymes and abandoning, often critically, the writing process that many felt was more or less an insignificant aspect in the much more important recording process. It was perhaps around the year 2000, that there developed a schism in the community, created by individuals who chose to write for the sake of writing, rather than as a means of recording music.
It was these writers who embraced the visual properties the Internet allowed (such as color, size, font, and structure) while creating their poetry. It was from this branching off that "scrypt" evolved. Several writers have even been able to publish their hip hop styled poetry. Although there is currently not a significant financial market for the publication of scrypt, many underground (and also a few mainstream) rappers were originally text writers. One significant example is the Chinese-American rapper Jin, who was originally a member of the message boards Rapmusic and Holla-Front. Holla-Front now partially serves as a fan forum for him.
Some writers have been able to have their works published in local magazines and newspapers, as well as online periodicals; the most recent example being James Byrom; also known by his forum identity "Ikue" on the online e-zine Route 57. [4]
[edit] Controversy
Recently a debate has sparked over the use of the word "scrypt". Several text writers who have been involved with pastime since its inception feel that the members of the defunct b-boys.com are trying to take text, something that has been around for a decade, rename it, and claim it as something of their own. While it is true that the name was majorly thought up without the consultation of most other text-writing sites, Scrypt-advocates felt it a necessary change. They argue that the word "text" in the mainstream world would be easily confused with text-messaging, and that scrypt is arguably less a cliché than the overexposed word "text".
[edit] Links to selected text message boards and communities
- [5] BragginWrites
- [6] Universal Emcees
- [7] 411Hype
- [8] AZNRaps
- [9] DaShadyBoard
- [10] b-boys
- [11] HipHopScrypt. Com
- [12] Holla-Front
- [13] Hiphop Scenes
- [14] NobodySmiling Community
- [15] ProjectRhyme
- [16] RapBattles
- [17] RapExclusive
- [18] RapFlava
- [19] Rap Leagues
- [20] RapMusic
- [21] RapSearch
- [22] RapVerse
- [23] RapWorlds
- [24] Rhyme N Reason
- [25] SOHH
- [26] The Sirkle Forums
- [27] Urban Flows
- [28] Urban Prowlers
- [29] Hip-Hop's Best Kept Secret
[edit] Text Battling Leagues
- [30] RapFlava.com "RFBL - RapFlava Battle League"
- [31] 411Hype.com "HBL - Hype Battle League"
- [32] BragginWrites.com "BBL - BragginWrites's Battle League"
- [33] EmceeForums.com "EBL - Emcee Battle League"
- [34] HiphopScenes.com "UBL - Urban Legends Battle League"
- [35] HipHopScrypt.com "HHSBL - Hip Hop Scrypts Battle League"
- [36] MrBlunt.com "BL - Battle League"
- [37] ProjectRhyme.com "PRBA - Project Rhyme Battle Association"
- [38] RapBattles.com "LLL - Lethal Lyricist League"
- [39] RapMusic.com "RBL - Rap Battle League"
- [40] RapSearch.com "RSBL - Rap Search Battle League"
- [41] RapVerse.com "LBL - Lyricist Battle League"
- [42] RapWorlds.com "RWBL - Rapworlds Battle League"
