ESL Hip Hop http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho Learn English with hip-hop and rap. Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:45:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4 Learn 10 New Words with Lupe Fiasco http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/learn-10-new-words-with-lupe-fiasco/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/learn-10-new-words-with-lupe-fiasco/#respond Mon, 13 May 2013 13:38:13 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=259 Lupe Fiasco is a rapper, record producer and entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois. He disliked hip-hop music in his early life because he thought it was too negative and vulgar, but he eventually developed an interest and joined a group when he was 19 years old. In “Around My Way” Lupe Fiasco offers his criticism of materialism, the […]

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

]]> Lupe Fiasco is a rapper, record producer and entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois. He disliked hip-hop music in his early life because he thought it was too negative and vulgar, but he eventually developed an interest and joined a group when he was 19 years old. In “Around My Way” Lupe Fiasco offers his criticism of materialism, the United States military and the mass media, among many other things. This track samples “T.R.O.Y.” from the legendary Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth.

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.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/learn-10-new-words-with-lupe-fiasco/feed/ 0 Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kanye West http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/celebrate-mothers-day-with-kanye-west/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/celebrate-mothers-day-with-kanye-west/#respond Fri, 10 May 2013 14:54:20 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=251 Kanye West is a rapper, record producer, film director and fashion designer from Chicago, Illinois. He made his first big break as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records where he worked on Jaz-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint. In “Hey Mama” Kanye West dedicates the song to his mother, Donda West. He praises her for raising him in […]

The post Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kanye West appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> Kanye West is a rapper, record producer, film director and fashion designer from Chicago, Illinois. He made his first big break as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records where he worked on Jaz-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint. In “Hey Mama” Kanye West dedicates the song to his mother, Donda West. He praises her for raising him in times of hardship and thanks her for teaching him valuable life lessons. This lesson is just in time for Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the United States.

Hey Mama,I wanna scream so loud for you ‘cause I’m so proud of you
Let me tell you what I’m about to do
I know I act a fool, but I promise you I’m going back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me

Kanye is very proud of his mother, and he appreciates all the great things she has done for him.

I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I’m finna let it shine
I’m finna take y’all back to them better times
I’m finna talk about my mama if yall don’t mind

I said mommy I’mma love you till you don’t hurt no more
And when I’m older, you ain’t gotta work no more
And I’mma get you that mansion that we couldn’t afford

Vocabulary

Review these words and then listen to the song.

  • act a fool (idiom) – to behave foolishly, stupidly or unwisely. I don’t want my girlfriend’s parents to meet my roommate. He’ll probably act a fool and embarrass me. 
  • appreciate (verb) – to understand that something is valuable; to be grateful for someone or something. My mother is a great woman, and I appreciate all of her sacrifices. 
  • be proud of… (verb) – to feel satisfaction or pleasure because you have achieved something. I am very proud of my mother because she just graduated from university! 
  • fall back on (phrasal verb) – to use something for help because there are no other choices. If you cannot find your dream job now, you can always fall back on teaching.
  • get through (phrasal verb) – to communicate with someone, especially by phone. I tried calling her, but I couldn’t get through. She wasn’t at home to answer the phone.
  • take out (phrasal verb) – to go with someone to a restaurant, theater, etc, and pay for everything. I’m going to take my mother out to her favorite restaurant this weekend.
  • just right (adjective) – perfect. The weather is just right today. Not too hot and not too cold. 

Pronunciation

  • I’m finna /fɪnə/ – I’m fixing to, I’m about to. Use it for future actions that will happen very soon. I’m finna leave and see my mother.
  • y’all /jɑl/ – you all, you guys. Plural you. What do you guys wanna eat? Do y’all wanna eat sushi or Thai food?
  • gotta /gɑtə/ – got to, have to. Use it for requirements, suggestions or obligations. You gotta listen to Kanye West’s first album. It’s incredible!
  • wanna /wənə/ – want to. What do you wanna listen to? Do you wanna listen to 2Pac or Biggie?
  • I’mma /ɑimə/  – I am going to. Use it for future plans. I’mma study English with hip-hop today.
  • ’cause /kəz/ – short for because.

Discussion Questions

Do you celebrate Mother’s Day? When do you celebrate it? Is your mother a special woman in your life? How often do you talk to your mother and take her out to a restaurant? Are you going to do something special for her? Please write your comments below!

The post Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kanye West appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/celebrate-mothers-day-with-kanye-west/feed/ 0 2nd Conditional in “The Light” http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/04/2nd-conditional-the-light/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/04/2nd-conditional-the-light/#respond Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:26:11 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=36 Common, a hip-hop performer from Chicago, released one of the best hip-hop songs about love. In “The Light” (2000), he writes a letter to a woman that describes their strong and loving relationship.  If heaven had a height, you would be that tall. This grammar is called the second conditional. Use the second conditional for unreal or hypothetical situations […]

The post 2nd Conditional in “The Light” appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> Common, a hip-hop performer from Chicago, released one of the best hip-hop songs about love. In “The Light” (2000), he writes a letter to a woman that describes their strong and loving relationship.

 If heaven had a height, you would be that tall.

This grammar is called the second conditional. Use the second conditional for unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future.

If + subject + simple past verb, subject + would + base verb

  • If I had $10,000,000, I would quit my job. I don’t have ten million dollars, and I probably won’t have that money soon. This situation is unreal.
  • If I lived in Colombia, I would learn  Spanish very quickly. I live in California with my wife. She loves California, and she will be upset if we leave. 
  • If I were President of the United States, I would listen to international students. I am not the President, and I will probably never be one!
    • Normally, I was / You were / She was / We were / They were
    • In the second conditional, always use were, even if the subject is first or third person.

Are you in a relationship? Are you happy with your partner? If you had more free time, would you write love song? Please write your comments below!

The post 2nd Conditional in “The Light” appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/04/2nd-conditional-the-light/feed/ 0