Enter the Ninja: The Rhyming Scheme

So I was listening to Die Antwoord, and I noticed something strange about the rhyming scheme in Enter the Ninja.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3f4xU_FfQ

Generally songs have the rhymes at the ends of the bars. However, in this songs, the first 2 beats of the bars rhyme.

To be specific, in a four bar phrase, you'll have the first two beats of the first 3 bars rhyme, and then the last bar doesn't necessarily have any rhymes.

For example (I bolded the first two beats of each bar):

Yin to the Yan. Totally high tech Ninja's motherfucking

Big in Japan. I seen the future but I've never got

Nothing in my hand. Except a microphone big dream and a

Plan fly talking sky walking like a ninja.

Notice how the first beat of the first three bars rhyme, and the 2 beat of the first three bars rhyme as well. Here're two other examples:

My blade swing free. Decapitate a hater with

Amazing ease. This is not a game boy don't

Play with me. I work my mic-saber like a

Wild fucking savage to the dark side danger.

UFO. Totally unknown you can't fuck with my

New zef flow. I'm hard to miss you can't do this you can't do that ya fuckin'

Who said so? I do what I like too hot to handle too cold to

hold. You can't fuck with the chosen one, I-I-I-I-I want to knife you I'm a ninja.

Do you guys know any other rap songs with rhyming schemes like this? Is this a normal thing? I can't believe I didn't notice until now.

I can't think of specifics atm, but it's really not that uncommon within hip-hop overall, especially the more underground/backpack styles as a way to switch up the rhyming flow. Actually as I type this out I recall a few Eyedea (RIP) & Abilities songs where Eyedea switches up the rhythm of his flow, and I'm fairly certain it's a trick he learned from Slug of Atmosphere. Aesop Rock also does this in a handful of his songs.... If I can remember specifics I'll post some.

welcome to rapping.

it's become a bit more sophisticated since the sugarhill gang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLbB6YEBOXw

rhyme scheme = limerick

  On 7/19/2011 at 11:44 PM, ghOsty said:

I can't think of specifics atm, but it's really not that uncommon within hip-hop overall, especially the more underground/backpack styles as a way to switch up the rhyming flow. Actually as I type this out I recall a few Eyedea (RIP) & Abilities songs where Eyedea switches up the rhythm of his flow, and I'm fairly certain it's a trick he learned from Slug of Atmosphere. Aesop Rock also does this in a handful of his songs.... If I can remember specifics I'll post some.

I'd love to hear some examples.

  On 7/20/2011 at 6:52 AM, ieafs said:

  On 7/19/2011 at 11:53 PM, loganfive said:

welcome to rapping.

 

it's become a bit more sophisticated since the sugarhill gang.

 

I thought I was going to get facepalmed for being a die Antwoord fanboy, not for wanting to talk about some element of rap that's apparently pretty common.

you should check out book of rhymes: the poetics of hip hop by adam bradley. it talks about different techniques such as this.

Eminem -

Since I'm in a position to talk to these kids and they listen

I ain't no politician but I'll kick it with 'em a minute

Cause see they call me a menace; and if the shoe fits I'll wear it

But if it don't, then y'all swallow the truth grin and bear it

Now who's these king of these rude ludicrous lucrative lyrics

Who could inherit the title, put the youth in hysterics

Usin his music to steer it, sharin his views and his merits

But there's a huge interference - they're sayin you shouldn't hear it

Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit

Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish

But I'm debated disputed hated and viewed in America

as a motherfuckin drug addict - like you didn't experiment?

Now now, that's when you start to stare at who's in the mirror

and see yourself as a kid again, and you get embarrased

And I got nothin to do but make you look stupid as parents

You fuckin do-gooders - too bad you couldn't do good at marriage!

(Ha ha!) And do you have any clue what I had to do to get here I don't

think you do so stay tuned and keep your ears glued to the stereo

Doom's kinda a master of multiples as shown here in "Figaro"

she could mind the toaster if she sign the poster,

a whole host of roller coaster riders,

not enough tracks? hot enough, black?

it's too hot to handle, you got blue sandals

who shot ya? oooh, got you new spots to vandal?

do not stand still, both show skills,

close but no crills, toast for po' ills,

post no billscoast to coast joe schmoes flows ill,

go chill, not supposed to overdose, no doze pills

looks a little off but when you hear it with the beat he fucking nails it

  On 7/20/2011 at 4:49 AM, Homestar Runner said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLbB6YEBOXw

 

rhyme scheme = limerick

This is creative and I'll give them credit, but 99.9% of beastie boys rhymes are on the 4. A friend pointed this out to me a long time ago and now I can't not notice it