“The Breaks” is a song about bad luck and misfortune. Everybody has ups and downs in life, and when we are experiencing difficult and troubling times, then we can say, “These are the breaks!” It’s similar to the French expression que sera, sera or “whatever will be, will be.”

Clap your hands everybody
If you got what it takes.
‘Cause I’m Kurtis Blow and I want you to know
That these are the breaks.

Unfortunately, there’s no official music video to this classic hip-hop song, but I was able to find a live recording of “The Breaks” in his 1980 performance on Soul Train.

Vocabulary and Expressions

If you have what it takes, then you have the qualities, skills, and abilities to become successful. Kurtis Blow wants everybody to clap their hands if they have what it takes to handle the breaks.

But what exactly are  the breaks? Losing a job… losing a friend… having a fight with a lover… These are the breaks! Everybody in the world has problems and difficult situations, and sometimes there’s nothing we can do change it. We just have to deal with it as best as we can.

If you are an aspiring actor or musician, you are waiting for your first big break, which is a successful show or performance that launches your career.

And speaking of acting, there are also breaks on a stage, and breaks on the screen. In theater, it is a common superstition to say Break a leg! instead of Good luck!

Other expressions with breaks:

• brakes (noun) – This is a homophone. It has the same sound as the word break but with different spelling and meaning. Cars, trains, busses and planes all have brakes to help them slow down and come to a stop. It wouldn’t be very safe to drive a care without brakes!
• break up something (separable phrasal verb) – to make people stop doing something. If two people are fighting, you might scream, “Break it up!”
  • This phrasal verb can be both separable and inseparable, and it has many more meanings! Please check out Oxford’s Advanced Learners Dictionary to learn more ways to use this versatile phrasal verb!
• take a break (collocation) – If you work for a long time and stop to eat, drink, or relax, then you are taking a break. In English, we normally use this to mean short periods of rest and also longer breaks lasting days, weeks, or even months. If your life is hard and you deserve a break, Kurtis Blow wants you to say ALL RIGHT!
• break down (phrasal verb) – In the context of this song, break down! or break it down! means to stop what you’re doing and dance.
  • This phrasal verb also has many meanings. Check them all out on Oxford’s Advanced Learners Dictionary.

Writing Practice

Are you going through difficult times right now? Do you worry about your job or relationships? Does it feel like life is testing you every day and you can’t catch a break? In the comments below, write about a time when you couldn’t catch a break or discuss a time when your friend had a difficult problem.

This is a no judgement zone! If you write and practice your English, it will be appreciated! Hey, everybody deserves a break, don’t they?

The post Catch a Break with Kurtis Blow! appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

My name’s D.M.C. with the mic in my hand,
and I’m chilling and cooling just like a snowman.
So open your eyes. Lend us an ear.
We want to say
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Vocabulary List

Christmas is around the corner, and Run-D.M.C. is celebrating in their neighborhood of Hollis, Queens in New York City. Review the words below and then view the picture dictionary on Pinterest.

• reindeer
• beard
• Santa Claus
• Christmas tree
• Christmas lights
• snow
• fireplace
• yule log
• mistletoe
• eggnog
• carols
• snowman

Picture Dictionary

Sometimes pictures are better than words. Click below to review the picture dictionary for the Christmas vocabulary featured in today’s lesson.

Writing Task

Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, how do your friends and family celebrate Christmas? Do you have special traditions or eat special foods? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then ESLhiphop is happy to tell you more. What would you like to know?

The post Picture Dictionary: Learn Christmas Vocabulary with Run-D.M.C. appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

La-di-da-di. We like to party.
We don’t cause trouble. We don’t bother nobod. We’re
just some men thats on the mic,
and when we rock up on the mic, we rock the mic right.

Visual Dictionary

In this song, Slick Rick describes his morning routine in great detail. When you wake up and get ready for work and school, you go through your morning routine. Below is a list of things that are a part of Slick Rick’s morning routine. Read the list and check your understanding with the Picture Dictionary on Pinterest.

• wake up (phrasal verb)
• stretch (noun and verb)
• yawn (noun and verb)
• bathroom (noun)
• wash up (phrasal verb)
• soap (noun)
• mirror (noun)
• brush your teeth (verb)
• nail file (noun)
• fingernails (noun)
• bubble bath (noun)
• underwear (noun)
• cologne (noun)

Click on the link below to see a visual dictionary of Slick Rick’s morning routine!

Writing Task

What is your morning routine? How do you get ready for school and work? Is your routine similar to Rick Slick’s or is it very different? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Hip-Hop for Beginners: Morning Routines with Slick Rick appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

I hear Brenda’s got a baby.
Well, Brenda’s barely got a brain.
A damn shame. The girl can hardly spell her name.
That’s not our problem. That’s up to Brenda’s family.
Well let me show you how it affects our whole community.

Vocabulary

• be up to (phrasal verb) – to be somebody’s responsibility, duty or decision. I can’t make you do your homework because you’re an adult. It’s up to you to take your education  more seriously.
  
• junkie (noun) – a drug addict, especially one who is addicted to heroin. Instead of becoming a wealthy plastic surgeon in Hollywood, California, she decided to become an addiction specialist and help junkies get clean. 
• not give a damn (idiom) – to not care at all about something. I don’t give a damn where we stop to eat. I need to use a toilet urgently, so let’s just pick the first place we see!
• dibs (noun) – a word you say to claim something as yours, especially before somebody else claims it. I call dibs on the bed in the hotel room. I’m not sleeping on the floor again!
• figure (noun) – the shape of a human body, especially an attractive woman. She shouldn’t exercise or diet too much. I think she’s got a great figure!
• solo (adjective/adverb) – done by one person without any help or assistance. It’s hard to raise a child solo. There are too many responsibilities and challenges to think about every day. Much respect to all the single parents out there.
• throw away (phrasal verb) – to discard something that you no longer want, especially in a garbage can. You shouldn’t throw away your old clothes. Donate them to a family because there are many needy people who could use it.
• heap (noun) – an untidy, messy pile of something. My bedroom is so messy. I have a heap of dirty clothes on the floor.
• get away (phrasal verb) – to escape from a person or place. It’s hard to get away from stress when you live in a big city. 
  • also, run away
• pay (noun) – the money you get from a job or regular work. She has to work many hours at her new job, but the pay is really good.
• social workers (noun) – a person whose job is helping and giving advice to people in the community with financial or family problems. Social workers have to work long hours with little pay. It’s a very difficult job. 
• make your own way (idiom) – to move somewhere; to make progress. You have to work hard every day if you want to make your way in the world.
• slain (verb,  past participle of slay) – to murder somebody. The victims were slain by an unknown man in his late 30s, police investigators reported.

Discussion Questions

The United States has to overcome many social issues, including teenage pregnancy. Is your country or society also facing the challenges of teenage pregnancy? Besides the most obvious answer, what social conditions or problems contribute to or cause teenage pregnancy? Do you think sexual education programs in schools can prevent the number of teenage pregnancies? Please write your comments below!

The post 2Pac Fridays: Brenda’s Got a Baby appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

“I’m on a Boat” features rapper T-Pain, and it parodies many of the stereotypes of mainstream rap music.

I’m on a boat motherfucker take a look at me.
Straight floating on a boat on the deep blue sea.
Busting five knots, wind whipping out my coat.
You can’t stop me motherfucker because I’m on a boat.

Vocabulary for the Summer

The Lonely Island and T-Pain mention many words related to summer. Instead of reading definitions, go to The Lonely Island “I’m on a Boat” board on Pinterest and browse the picture dictionary. Here is the complete list of words from the song:

• towels
  
• boat
• sea
• champ = short for champagne
• swim trunks
  • also: swim suit, bathing suit
• flippie-floppies
  • also: flip flops
• dolphin
• Seaworld
• shore
• buoys
• mermaid

Discussion Questions

Have you ever traveled on a boat? What was the experience like? What do you like to do during the summer? Do you go on a special vacation with your friends or family? Please write your comments below!

The post Learn English Vocabulary with The Lonely Island appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Sunshine, sunshine. It’s fine.
I feel it in my skin warming up my mind.
Sometimes you got to give in to win.
I love the days when it shines. Whoah! Let it shine!

Phrasal Verbs and Vocabulary

• hangover (noun) – the headache and sick feeling you have the next day after drinking too much alcohol. I really don’t want to go to work today. I went to the company party last night, and I have a bad hangover.
  • also, hungover (adjective) – Are you hungover? Your eyes are red and you look like hell. 
• chill (verb) – to spend time relaxing. After work on Fridays, I usually chill with my coworkers. 
  • also, chill out (phrasal verb) – Do you want to chill out this Saturday?
  • also, chill (adjective) – very calm and relaxing. I think Buddhist temple music is so chill. It’s makes me feel less nervous.
    
• dead in the eye (idiom) – directly; exactly; completely. The sunlight hit me dead in the eye. It was so bright, and I should have worn sunglasses.
• bump (idiom) – to dance; to enjoy music. People all over the world are bumping to hip-hop music. It’s incredible!
• take a look (phrasal verb) – to look at something with attention. Take a look at the new website. It looks great, doesn’t it?
  
  • also, Take a look at this! Get a load of this! (idiom) – People say this when they are about to share something shocking or surprising.
• take a breath (phasal verb) – to breathe slowly and calmly, especially after exercise or something stressful. I’m sorry that you had a bad day at work. Just take a breath, and tell me what happened. 
• give in (phrasal verb) – to admit that you have been defeated; to agree to do something you don’t want to do. I didn’t want to go to the party, but I finally gave in after my friend begged me to go. 
• bust out (phrasal verb) – to produce; to reveal; to show. We have company coming over in a few hours. We should definitely bust out that new bottle of wine.
  
• let loose (phrasal verb) – to do something that is not controlled; to have fun. We have been working hard all week. I just want to go downtown and let loose tonight!
• figure out (phrasal verb) – to think about something until you understand it. I cannot figure how to use Windows 8. It’s very difficult!
• pull up (phrasal verb) – to slowly stop, especially a car. The police car slowly pulled up to my apartment. It was so scary!

Discussion Questions

How do you like to relax and chill out? What do you do? Do you like to hang out with your friends or do something alone? What is your perfect day? Does your perfect day include letting loose? Please write your comments below!

The post Learn English Phrasal Verbs with Atmosphere appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

T to the R-O-Y. How did you and I meet?
In front of Big Lou’s, fighting in the street
But only you saw what took many time to see
I dedicate this to you for believing in me
Rain or shine, yes in any weather

Vocabulary & Idioms

•  reminisce (verb) – to think, talk or write about a happy time in your life. I reminisced about the old days with my friends at the bar.
  • think back (verb)
  • reminiscence (noun)
• a toast (noun) – asking people to wish somebody success or happiness by raising their glasses and drinking. I would like to make a toast to my sister, who just graduated from law school.
  • make a toast
  • give a toast
• not give a damn (idiom) – to not care at all about somebody or something. I don’t give a damn about your girlfriend. She cannot live here anymore!
• nod off (phrasal verb) – to fall asleep. He was nodding off while driving the car last night. We almost had an accident. 
• take over (phrasal verb) – to being to have control over something. I am going to take over my father’s business in a couple of years.
• Word is bond. (phrase) – very common phrase in hip-hop that means “I promise.”
• dedicate (verb) – to begin a book or performance with a message to somebody, as of way of saying thanks. Pete Rock and CL Smooth dedicated this song to a friend.
  • dedication (noun)
• recall (verb) – to remember something. I don’t recall where I met her. 

Discussion Questions

When were your happiest moments? In school? On your wedding day? Do you remember all of your old friends, classmates and neighbors? Where are they now? What are they doing? Are they still alive today, or have they passed away? How do you honor your friends and family who have passed away? Please write your comments below!

The post Idioms and Vocabulary with Pete Rock & CL Smooth appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

“Me and you, Ty, we gonna make some cash
Robbing old folks and making the dash.”
They did the job. Money came with ease
But one couldn’t stop. It’s like he had a disease

Vocabulary

• law (noun) – a rule or regulation that everyone in a country must obey and follow. In society, people have laws, and the police enforce the laws. If you break the law, you might go to jail.  
• justice (noun) – the legal system used to punish people. If you break the law, you will enter the justice system. You will go to court and get a prison sentence from a judge. 
• stern (adjective) – serious and stern. Drug laws are usually stern. People stay in prison up to twenty-five years for drugs.
• cash (noun) – paper money. I don’t carry much cash on me at night because there are a lot of pickpockets on the train.
• rob (verb) – to steal money or property from a person or place. Most criminals rob homes at night. They usually steal expensive electronics such as phones and TVs. 
• undercover (adjective) – working secretly in order to find information for the police. That neighborhood has a lot of crime, but there are many undercover police officers. 
• strapped (adjective) – having a gun with you, usually hidden under clothes. Police officers always do a body search because criminals might be strapped.
• cop (noun) – a police officer. Most cops wear blue, black or brown uniforms. 
• fiend (noun) – used after nouns, a person who is addicted to something. Drug fiends can sometimes be dangerous. They usually resort to crime to support their drug habits. 
• bullets (noun) – the small metal ball fired from a gun; ammunition. Guns do not work without bullets.
• gun (noun) – a firearm; a weapon that uses bullets. Guns are illegal in many countries.
• sirens (noun) – a device that makes a loud sound as a signal or warning. Police cars have red and blue sirens, and they use them during emergencies. 
• shoot (verb) – to fire a gun or a weapon. Police may only shoot their guns during dangerous situations. 

Discussion Questions

Do you think a lot of children or young people commit crimes? Why do young people commit crimes? How can parents, teachers and society prevent young people from committing crime? Should all guns by outlawed and prohibited? Please write your comments below!

The post 13 Words about Justice with Slick Rick appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Live from the other side what you see
A bunch of nonsense on my TV
Heaven on Earth is what I need
But I feel I’m in Hell every time I breathe
Reporting live from the other side what you hear
A bunch of nonsense all in my ear
Rich man, poor man, we all got to pay
‘Cause freedom ain’t free, especially ’round my way

Vocabulary

• peace (noun) – a time of no war or violence. Lupe Fiasco wants more peace to the teachers of blind kids. In other words, he praises teachers who are socially responsible.
  • peaceful is an adjective
  • peacefully is an adverb
• rebel (noun) – a person who refuses to accept the government’s power and uses force to oppose it. The government is trying to negotiate with the rebels.
  • rebel /REbəl/ – noun, person
  • rebel /rəBEL/ – verb, same spelling as noun but different pronunciation
  • rebellion – Also a noun, but a rebellion is an event and not a person
• racism (noun) – the belief that some races are better than others; the unfair treatment of people because of their race. Even in 2013, racism still exists in many developed countries. 
  • race is a noun
  • racist is also a noun
• corporate (adjective) – an organization or business that is a separate entity from the people who run and operate it. The corporate bailout is one of the reasons why the rebels are protesting.
  • corporation is a noun
• nonsense (noun) – foolish words or actions. Lupe Fiasco does not trust the mass media in America because he notices a lot of nonsense on TV.
  • nonsensical is an adjective
• freedom (noun) – not being in prison or not being a slave; able to do something without limits or restrictions. Many people argue that American freedom of speech has limits and restrictions.
  • free is a verb and adjective
  • freely is an adverb
• marvel (verb) – to show or experience great surprise or admiration. Many tourists marvel at the sight of the New York City. It is the true concrete jungle!
• protest (verb) – to express disagreement or opposition to something by strongly complaining about it. The students have been protesting the rise in tuition. 
  • protest /prəTEST/ – verb
  • protest /PROtest/ – noun
• truth (noun) – the actual facts about something. It is nearly impossible to get the complete truth in mainstream media, such as TV and newspapers. There is too much bias.
  • true is an adjective
  • trustworthy is also an adjective
• poverty (noun) – being poor. Many wealthy and developed countries still have poverty, especially with the increase of unemployment.
  • poverty line is a noun
  • poverty-stricken is an adjective

Famous Sample

“Around My Way” samples Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s classic song “T.R.O.Y.” Initially the hip-hop duo were unhappy that Lupe Fiasco sampled their song, but they eventually got over it.

Discussion Questions

Does society have many problems? What are the biggest problems that society faces? Do you trust the journalism and mainstream media in your country? Why or why not? What will you do to improve society? Is it possible to end all poverty and give freedom to everyone? Please write your comments below!

The post Learn 10 New Words with Lupe Fiasco appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Pour up drank, head shoot drank
Sit down drank, stand up drank
Pass out drank, wake up drank
Faded drank, faded drank

And also:

Now I done grew up
Round some people living their lives in bottles
Granddady had the golden flask
Back stroke every day in Chicago
Some people like the way it feels
Some people wanna kill their sorrows
Some people wanna fit in with the popular
That was my problem
I was in the dark room
Loud tunes, looking to make a vow soon
That I’mma get fucked up, filling up my cup
I see the crowd move

The definitions:

• If you pass out, you become unconscious. Many people get sick and pass out from drinking too much alcohol. Some people pass out after exercising or working too hard.
• Most people wake up in the morning. The alarm clock buzzes, you open your eyes and you get out of bed. On the weekends, many people sleep in and do not wake up very early.
• Grow up means to change from a child to an adult. Kendrick Lamar grew up in Compton, California. He lived in Compton during his childhood. Many people grow up in one place, but some children move around and grow up in many cities. 
• If you want to make new friends, you have to fit in and become accepted in the new group. Young people want to fit in and be a part of a group, but they might have to do something uncomfortable or illegal, such as drinking or using drugs.
• If you get fucked up, you are very intoxicated or drunk. You have drunk a lot of alcohol, feel dizzy and nauseated, and might pass out.
  

How often do you drink? Have you ever passed out from too much alcohol? What would you do to fit in with a new group of friends? Do you think young people have a lot of social and peer pressure? Please write your comments below! 

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