How to Write Memphis Rap Songs

Want to write Memphis rap that knocks like a 9 PM church basement show and sounds like you grew up on the porch with Three 6 on repeat? Good. This guide gives you the history, the sound, the lyrical moves, and the studio tricks to write tracks that hit hard and feel real. We will explain every weird term you might hear, give real life scenarios you actually care about, and show you how to make a song from blank page to screamable hook.

Everything here is written for artists who want blunt results. You will get practical songwriting templates, flow drills, beat notes, cultural context, and a finish checklist that helps you ship. If you want to make Memphis rap that respects the past while sounding today, this guide is your map.

What Is Memphis Rap

Memphis rap is a regional style with a personality. It mixes dark moods, raw street storytelling, catchy repetitive hooks, and a production palette built around booming 808s, rattling hi hats, spooky melodies, and raw vocal textures. Artists and producers from Memphis gave the world sounds that later shaped modern trap and horrorcore. Think three things at once. One, grimy horror vibes that make your spine tingle. Two, minimal beat elements that leave room for voice and swagger. Three, repetitive adlibs and chants that become a song memory.

Key names to know

• Three 6 Mafia. Pioneers. They built the blueprint for dark, aggressive, chant friendly tracks.
• P. Diddy is not from Memphis. Your playlist should include Project Pat, DJ Paul, Juicy J, and later artists who took the sound forward.
• Young Dolph and Key Glock represent modern Memphis with slicker trap production and melodic delivery.

Essential Sounds and Production Elements

If you are writing Memphis rap you need to understand the instruments of the vibe.

808

808 is short for the Roland TR 808 drum machine. In modern terms 808 means a big bass sound that often plays the bassline and low end. In Memphis rap the 808 hits heavy and sometimes slides in pitch. If you cannot feel the song in your chest you did not give the 808 enough personality.

Hi hat patterns

Fast triplet hi hats and stuttering rolls are common. Triplet means three notes played in the space of two. It creates a rolling feel that artists use for syncopation. We will show triplet drills you can rap over in the exercises section.

Spooky melodies

Minor keys, little atonal motifs, and church organ sounds create a haunted feeling. Producers sometimes use samples from old soul records or whistles and bells that sound like a carnival in a thunderstorm.

Vocal textures

Vocal takes are often raw. Producers keep breath, grit, and adlibs. Light tape saturation or distortion on vocals keeps the voice aggressive. Doubles and tripled adlibs create the signature chant feel.

Memphis Rap Themes and Lyrical DNA

Memphis rap songs have recurring subject matter. If you write about anything else you must be hilarious or brilliant. Here are themes you will use the most.

• Street life and hustle written with specific props and micro details.
• Flex and self assertion where the rapper declares dominance with concrete images.
• Horrorcore moments that use dark metaphors and violent imagery to build menace. This is horrorcore not an instruction manual. Keep it in the realm of art.
• Party and chaos where a repetitive chant owns the room.
• Realness and grief where vulnerability is shown in small objects and time crumbs.

Real life scenario: imagine sitting on a cracked leather couch in a Southern house. The AC hums. Someone drops a pizza box on the kitchen island. Your phone buzzes with a text that says you missed your rent. That precise moment is what a Memphis lyric describes. Not rent in abstract. The pizza box, the AC hum, the exact text. Replace generic feelings with objects and you get authenticity.

Basic Song Skeleton for Memphis Rap

Memphis rap is flexible but most songs land into a few reliable forms. Pick one and customize. You want a structure that gives the chant sections room to breathe.

Structure A: Intro → Verse → Hook → Verse → Hook → Outro

Classic and direct. Hooks are short and repeatable. Verses drive with detail and punchlines.

Structure B: Intro Hook → Verse → Hook → Verse → Bridge → Double Hook

Use a cold open with the hook to grab attention. The bridge can be a beat switch or a vocal breakdown to set up the final hook smash.

Structure C: Intro → Verse → Hook → Short Verse → Hook → Adlib Outro

Short second verse keeps momentum and prioritizes repeatable chorus moments for streaming culture where listeners skip fast.

Writing a Memphis Hook That Locks In

Hooks in Memphis rap are often short, chantable, and rhythmic. The goal is to have a line fans scream back at a show. Keep it direct. Use repetition and a single vivid image or phrase. Sometimes a single word repeated becomes the hook. You will write a hook that could work as a t shirt slogan.

Hook recipe

1. Pick a simple phrase that states status or threat. Examples: "Get That Money", "We Still Here", "Pull Up".
2. Repeat it two to three times with minor variation on the last repeat.
3. Place a short adlib or a chant after each repeat to make it sticky.

Example hook

Pull up Pull up Pull up now

Skrrt skrrt skrrt

That is raw. It works because the phrase is short and the adlib is a rhythmic weapon.

Verses That Carry Weight and Punchlines

Verses in Memphis rap are a mix of narrative and one liner punches. Use micro details. Keep the flow bouncy. Use internal rhyme where possible. Punchlines land better when the set up is short and the image is surprising.

Verse writing checklist

• Start with a strong opening line that states an image or an action. Example: "My porch light on for three nights straight. That mean the bread still warm in the safe."
• Use internal rhyme and multisyllabic rhyme to create momentum.
• Include one or two hooks back references. Repeating a word from the hook ties the verse to the chorus.
• End the verse with a memorable one liner. That line should feel like a punch in a movie scene.

Multisyllabic rhyme explained

Multisyllabic rhyme is rhyming chunks of syllables instead of single words. Instead of rhyming cat with hat you rhyme "automatic rapid" with "fanatic habit." It sounds complex but you can practice with simple patterns. Multisyllable rhyme increases perceived skill and keeps the flow tight.

Flow and Cadence: Memphis Style

Flow is how you place words against the beat. Memphis rap often uses a relaxed but menacing cadence. A few things to practice.

Triplet flow

Triplet flow is a rhythmic feel where three syllables fit into one beat. It creates a rolling motion. It is very common in Southern rap. Practice by tapping your foot on the beat and saying three short words on each tap. Example: "Get it get it get it" across one bar. Triplets are not a rule. They are a tool.

Call and response

Use a line answered by an adlib. The adlib becomes the audience part. Example: Line "We run the block" Adlib "Ugh". That Ugh can be your sonic trademark.

Staccato punches

Short clipped phrases that land like gunshots. Use them to emphasize threats or flex lines. Keep space between them so each one hits.

Adlibs and Vocal Signature

Adlibs are a Memphis rap secret weapon. They create energy and become part of the song identity. An adlib can be a sound, a one word reaction, or a small melodic motif. The goal is repetition and personality. Your adlib should be playable in a club loop without feeling annoying.

How to create an adlib

1. Record three syllable noises you do normally. Laughs, sighs, half words.
2. Pick one and shape it into a consistent sound. Add light processing. A touch of reverb or distortion can make it pop.
3. Use it strategically. Put it after hook lines and on the last word of a punchline.

Lyric Devices That Work in Memphis Rap

Imagery over explanation

Give objects and actions. Instead of saying "I am scared" show the shaking lock on your trunk. Leave the emotion to the listener.

Ring phrase

Start and end a hook with the same short line. The ring builds memory. Fans can chant it in a crowd without the verses.

Escalation list

List three items that intensify. Example: "Car keys, bag packed, phone on mute." The list shows movement and stakes.

Callback

Bring a line from verse one back in verse two with a small twist. This makes the narrative feel circular and clever.

Real Life Scenarios to Ground Your Writing

Memphis rap is full of real places, minute actions, and small things that tell a huge story. Here are situations you can use as inspiration.

• Standing under a streetlight that is flickering as you wait for someone who is late. The light becomes a character.
• Counting cash in the backseat while the driver hums an old church hymn on the radio. The hymn contrasts the action and tells a deeper story.
• Watching a neighbor water a dying plant but the plant never wakes up. The plant becomes a metaphor for failed relationships or hard times.

Write the object and the small detail first. Then write the emotional line. This flips the usual order and produces more interesting images.

Writing Drills and Exercises

Use these drills to build habit and voice. Do them daily for two weeks and you will have a stack of bars.

Triplet Stretch

Beat: 70 BPM. Count 1 trip let 2 trip let 3 trip let 4 trip let. Rap three syllable phrases on each beat for 8 bars. Keep the content simple and rhythmic. This builds comfort with rolling flows.

Adlib Bank

Record 30 one syllable sounds. Listen back and pick the five that work. These are your signature adlibs. Use them in different pitches to see which sits best in the mix.

Object Drill

Pick an item in your room. Write eight lines that use that item as the focus. Make two lines literal and six lines metaphorical. Push concrete images against emotional verbs.

Hook in a Minute

Set a timer for 60 seconds. Write a hook with one repeated phrase. Stop at 60 seconds. Now sing it over a simple two bar loop. If it works without instructions you have a hook.

Topline and Melody for Memphis Rap

Memphis rap is not always melodic but topline matters when you want a hook that sticks. A memorable topline is short, uses peaky vowels, and sits on a comfortable range. Use melodies that are easy to chant. If you want to sing a hook off the first listen make the melody narrow and rhythmic.

Topline tips

• Keep the melody within an octave to help audience sing along.
• Land the last word of the hook on a long note or a repeated short note. That is how you make it stick.
• Use call and response with doubles or background vocals to thicken the hook.

Production Notes for Writers Who Do Not Produce

You do not have to make the beat to write a great Memphis rap. Still, knowing production terms improves communication with producers.

Beat tag

Often a producer will place a small audible logo in the beat. These tags are part of beat culture. If you want a clean master you will either keep the tag as part of the vibe or buy a beat license to remove it. Beat license means you pay the producer for ownership or exclusivity. More about licensing in the legal section below.

Beat switch

A change in tempo or instrumentation within the song. Memphis tracks sometimes use a beat switch to amplify the final hook. If your song calls for a sudden mood lift say so in the topline notes to your producer.

Sample clearance

If the beat uses a sample from a recorded song you must clear it legally before you sell the record. Clearance means getting permission from the original song owner and usually paying a fee. Do not assume sampling is free. Unauthorized sampling can block release.

Legal and Business Basics You Must Know

Memphis rap scene is about hustle. Hustle does not mean skip paperwork. Protect your creative life. Here are the basics.

Publishing split

Publishing refers to songwriting ownership. If you write lyrics and a producer makes the beat you need to agree how publishing and royalties split. Typical split might be 50 50 between writer and producer but there is no single rule. Put splits in writing before release. Publishing money is a long term income source. You want to keep your share.

Beat lease versus exclusive

A beat lease gives you limited use rights. Exclusive buyout transfers ownership to you. If you plan to release a major record and monetize heavy you will usually want exclusivity. If you are experimenting a lease is cheaper. Read every contract like a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer negotiate with caution.

Clear samples

If a producer uses a sample you all must handle clearance or the release can get pulled. Even small vocal snippets can create legal trouble. Clearance can be expensive but necessary. Budget for it if your track uses notable samples.

Mixing Mindset for Memphis Rap Writers

Even if you are not mixing you should know what to ask for. Memphis vocals benefit from an aggressive presence in the mix. Vocals should be upfront with a bit of grit. Low end should be controlled so the 808 hits hard without masking the vocal.

• Ask for a vocal chain that includes light compression, a saturator for color, and a de esser to tame sibilance.
• Keep adlibs slightly lower in volume than the main hook unless you want them to scream out in the chorus.
• Use stereo width sparingly. The core of the song should feel centered so the club speakers can focus energy.

Finish Line Checklist Before You Release

Before you upload, check these items like a boss.

1. Have you agreed publishing splits with everyone who contributed to lyrics or beat?
2. Are all samples cleared?
3. Did you record clean stems for vocal and adlibs in case engineers need them?
4. Do you have a pre release plan for visuals a single date and a short promo plan for social platforms?
5. Do you have a short bio or caption that tells the song story in one punchy line?

Before and After Lines

Practice rewriting lines to get the Memphis flavor. Before means flat. After is Memphisized.

Before: I am dangerous and you should watch out.

After: My porch light stayed off for three nights. You still walked past like you wanted a tour.

Before: I got money now and I am proud.

After: Counted twenties on the couch with my mama watching. She smiled slow like the TV found Jesus again.

Before: I am alone and sad.

After: Empty cup on the dash. Cup ring like a map of last night. My mirror keeps receipts.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

• Too vague Fix by adding specific objects and a time crumb. Instead of saying tired say "3 AM on the corner with the red truck that never leaves."
• No sonic signature Fix by creating an adlib or small effect that repeats across songs. Give the crowd something to imitate.
• Riding the beat without rhythm Fix by practicing triplet drills and counting bars. Nail your cadence so you are the one controlling the beat.
• Lyrics do not match energy Fix by matching your vocal intensity to production. If the beat is menacing your voice should carry that threat.

How to Collaborate with Producers and Artists

Collaboration is a negotiation. Come prepared. Know what you want but also listen to what the producer gives you. Be willing to change a line to fit a melody and also to ask for changes when a beat does not match your vision.

Real life tip. If you get a beat that feels close but the snare is too sharp for your voice ask to soften the snare or move it slightly earlier in the pattern. Small timing tweaks can change the feel and make your flow sit better. Producers expect this. Clear communication keeps sessions fast and productive.

Promotion Ideas That Work for Memphis Rap

Singles need a push. Memes and viral clips move songs. Memphis rap lends itself to crowd chants and adlibable moments. Use that.

• Make a one line challenge. Pick the hook and create a two bar vocal challenge with the adlib. Post it on short form platforms. Fans will imitate if it is easy and fun.
• Short behind the scenes video of the adlib process. Fans love to see how the voice was made messy and then polished.
• Local shows and block parties. Memphis roots run deep. If you can win the local crowd you build a base that streams and shares.

Advanced Writing Tactics

Contrast swap

Make the verse very literal and the hook very abstract. Or the opposite. Contrast creates replay value. The listener comes back to interpret the dissonance.

Beat anticipation

Write lines that anticipate a beat drop. Use short silence before the hook to create lean in. Silence is a tool that makes the return feel violent.

Character voice

Adopt a character with a consistent viewpoint. This is not fake. Many rappers adopt a stage persona that amplifies truth. Keep the persona consistent across songs so listeners recognize you.

Examples You Can Model

Theme: Neighborhood boss energy

Intro: Porch light low. Keys tapped like Morse on the rail.

Hook: We run that block We run that block (Ugh) We run that block now

Verse: The corner clock all crownless. J's beside the stoop like unpaid rent. My phone light a funeral for offers that never showed. Car wash drip like a slow applause.

Theme: Night drive with menace

Hook: Night ride Night ride Night ride (Skrrt)

Verse: Radio stuck on static and saints. Speedometer gossip with the moon. He asked where we headed. I told him south of nowhere. He laughed then looked out like he saw future headlines.

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Pick a subject that you can describe with three objects. Write those objects down.
2. Write a one line hook that repeats a phrase and includes one of the objects.
3. Set a beat to 70 to 90 BPM. Practice triplet flow for 16 bars over it.
4. Record a raw vocal with adlibs. Keep breath and grit. Do not over edit the first takes.
5. Send a demo to one producer and ask for a small beat tweak like softer snare or a deeper 808 pitch slide. Demonstrate how your hook hits the beat to guide them.
6. Finalize publishing splits in writing before you release.

Memphis Rap Frequently Asked Questions

What BPM range is common in Memphis rap

Most classic Memphis tracks live between 60 and 90 BPM when counted in half time. Modern takes can push to 120 BPM when producers double the tempo feel. Pick a tempo that fits your cadence. If you want a rolling triplet feel choose the slower BPM and rap in triplets. If you want frantic energy choose a higher BPM and shorter bars.

What is an adlib and how do I create one

An adlib is a short vocal sound or phrase that responds to or decorates a line. It can be a grunt, a laugh, a repeated word, or a melodic tag. To create one record dozens of noises. Choose the one that fans can imitate easily and use it consistently. Process it with light reverb or distortion for personality. Consistency turns an adlib into a brand asset.

How do I keep my Memphis rap authentic without copying old songs

Study the elements rather than copying lyrics. Learn the production palette the cadence patterns and the lyrical focus. Then tell your own stories with local details and your voice. Authenticity comes from specificity. Also respect the cultural roots and do not appropriate. Use inspiration not imitation.

Do I need to know music theory to write Memphis rap

No. You do not need advanced theory. Basic knowledge of keys minor and major and simple chord structure helps if you collaborate with producers. Most Memphis rap relies on mood and rhythm more than harmonic complexity. Learn enough to communicate with producers and to pick melodies that fit the beat.

How do producers create the spooky vibe in Memphis beats

Producers use minor keys dissonant intervals church organ sounds and sparse motifs. Sampling old records with eerie loops then pitching them down creates a haunted vibe. Reverb and a dryness contrast builds space. The bass hits remain heavy to keep the track grounded even when the top end is creepy.

What is triplet flow and why is it used

Triplet flow divides the beat into three evenly spaced syllables creating a rolling momentum. It is used because it fits well with hi hat rolls and creates rhythmic tension. Triplets can make lines feel faster without increasing sung syllable count. They are a tool not a limitation.

Get Contact Details of Music Industry Gatekeepers

Looking for an A&R, Manager or Record Label to skyrocket your music career?

Don’t wait to be discovered, take full control of your music career. Get access to the contact details of the gatekeepers of the music industry. We're talking email addresses, contact numbers, social media...

Packed with contact details for over 3,000 of the top Music Managers, A&Rs, Booking Agents & Record Label Executives.

Get exclusive access today, take control of your music journey and skyrocket your music career.

Unlock Instant Access