ESL Hip Hop http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho Learn English with hip-hop and rap. Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:59:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4 Learn English Grammar: Perfect Modals with T.I. http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/06/learn-english-grammar-perfect-modals-with-t-i/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/06/learn-english-grammar-perfect-modals-with-t-i/#respond Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:08:29 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=590 T.I.  is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He comes from Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the most influential Southern hip-hop artists. He embarked on his music career with his longtime friends, and they formed a group called Pimp Squad Click in 2001. Two years later, T.I. founded and became CEO of Grand Hustle Records. During his 12 years as a […]

The post Learn English Grammar: Perfect Modals with T.I. appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> T.I.  is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He comes from Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the most influential Southern hip-hop artists. He embarked on his music career with his longtime friends, and they formed a group called Pimp Squad Click in 2001. Two years later, T.I. founded and became CEO of Grand Hustle Records. During his 12 years as a rap artist, T.I. has released eight albums, won three Grammy Awards and appeared in several films (adapted from Wikipedia).

In “You Don’t Know Me”, T.I. explains that he is successful because of hard work and talent, and he is upset when people claim responsibility for his success.

You might have seen me in the streets, but you don’t know me.
When you holler when you speak, remember, you don’t know me.
Save all the hating and the popping. You don’t know me.
Quit telling people you my partner. You don’t know me.
Don’t be a group. Keep it moving. You don’t know me.

Grammar: Perfect Modal Verbs

You might have seen me in the streets, but you don’t know me.

English has several modal verbs, including: can, could, will, would, may, might, must, and should. We normally use modal verbs to describe the present and future, but we can also use it for past actions and situations. To use modal verbs in the past:

Subject + modal + have + past participle.

Subject + modal + have + not + past participle.

Modal + subject + have + past participle?

Meaning of Perfect Modals

The meaning of Perfect Modals is sometimes different than present or future modal verbs.

  •  I could have gone with my friends to Europe if I had saved more money. We would have had a great time!
    • Use could have / would have for unrealistic past possibilities.
    • This grammar is called the third conditional.
  • My friend has been in school for a very long time. I don’t know if she will graduate in the summer, but she will have certainly graduated by December.
    • Use will have to discuss an expected completed action in the future.
    • This grammar is also called the future perfect.
  • You might have seen me in the streets, but you don’t know me. You may have met my friends, but you still don’t know me!
    • Use may have / might have for realistic past possibilities. 
  • I feel so sick right now! I shouldn’t have eaten that smelly sushi! We should have gone to the pizza restuarant.
    • Use should have to express regrets.
  • The diamond ring is beautiful! It must have cost you a fortune!
    • Use must have to make logical deductions.
    • Unlike might have / might have, use must have if you are 100% certain about a situation based on facts, evidence or logic.
  • I can have gone with my friends to Europe.
    • The verb can is not possible. Use could have instead.

Pronunciation and Writing

In spoken and written English, people often contract the modal and the verb have. Here are some common contractions

  • could have = could’ve = /kʊdəv/
  • would have = would’ve = /wʊdəv/
  • should have = should’ve = /ʃʊdəv/
  • must have = must’ve = /məstəv/
  • might have = /maɪtəv/
    • Most people don’t write might’ve
    • In the song, T.I. pronounces it like /maɪtə/
  • may have = /meɪəv/
    • Most people don’t write may’ve
  • will have = will’ve  = /wɪləv/
    • will’ve is not possible

Discussion Questions

What is success? In your opinion, who is a successful person? Do successful people have a lot of money and a big house? Why are people attracted to success? Do you think people become jealous and insecure over the success of another person? Please write your comments below!

The post Learn English Grammar: Perfect Modals with T.I. appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/06/learn-english-grammar-perfect-modals-with-t-i/feed/ 0 ‘Have Got To’ with Public Enemy http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/have-got-to-with-public-enemy/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/have-got-to-with-public-enemy/#respond Thu, 30 May 2013 13:10:03 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=411 Public Enemy is a hip-hop group from Long Island, New York, and they currently consist of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord and The SW1 Group. They are known for their political songs and criticism of the American media. They were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which makes them the […]

The post ‘Have Got To’ with Public Enemy appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> Public Enemy is a hip-hop group from Long Island, New York, and they currently consist of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord and The SW1 Group. They are known for their political songs and criticism of the American media. They were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which makes them the fourth hip-hop group to be inducted. “Fight the Power” is their most well-known song, and it was commissioned by director Spike Lee for his 1989 film Do the Right Thing.

Fight the power!
We‘ve got to fight the powers that be.

Grammar: Have Got To

Use have got to for necessities or obligations. Use have got to for present and future obligations, and use had to for the past.

Subject + have got to + base verb

  • I’ve got to study for my test tonight. I cannot go out with you. 
  • You’ve got to listen to this album tomorrow. It is incredible!
  • He had to leave the meeting early. He did not want to miss his flight.

Negative sentences and questions do not use ‘have got to.’ Instead, they use have to.

Subject + doesn’t/don’t/didn’t + have to + base verb.

Does/Do/Did + subject + have to + base verb? 

  • I don’t have to study tomorrow. I’m free and available. 
  • You don’t have to listen to the album now, but check it out over the weekend.
  • He didn’t have to leave the meeting early.
  • Do you have to meet your friend at the airport?

Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing is a classic American film by director Spike Lee. In 1989, he asked Public Enemy to create a theme song for the movie. The video below is the opening credits for the film. 

Discussion Questions

Public Enemy wants us to fight the power. What is the power? How do you fight the power? What do we have to do? Do you have to protest? Do have to sign a petition? Do you have to update your status on Facebook? Please write your comments below!

The post ‘Have Got To’ with Public Enemy appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/have-got-to-with-public-enemy/feed/ 0 Expressing Regrets Using ‘Should Have’ with Macklemore http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/expressing-regrets-using-should-have-with-macklemore/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/expressing-regrets-using-should-have-with-macklemore/#respond Thu, 23 May 2013 13:34:33 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=347 Macklemore is a rapper and musician from Seattle, Washington. He started creating music independently in 2000, and he now performs with producer Ryan Lewis. Although he was not born into a musical family, he was exposed to hip-hop at an early age and started writing lyrics at 14. Macklemore released his debut album The Heist in October […]

The post Expressing Regrets Using ‘Should Have’ with Macklemore appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> Macklemore is a rapper and musician from Seattle, Washington. He started creating music independently in 2000, and he now performs with producer Ryan Lewis. Although he was not born into a musical family, he was exposed to hip-hop at an early age and started writing lyrics at 14. Macklemore released his debut album The Heist in October 2012, and he has received critical acclaim for several tracks. In “Thrift Shop” Macklemore explains that second-hand clothes are cheaper and more sensible than buying expensive name brand apparel.

Probably should’ve washed this. Smells like R. Kelly’s sheets
But shit! It was 99 cents!

Grammar: Expressing Regrets

Use should have if you want to express a regret. A regret is a feeling of sadness and disappointment because you have done something.

Subject + should have + past participle

Subject + should not have + past participle

Should + subject + have + past participle?

  • I should have washed this jacket because it smells really weird! 
  • They should’ve come to the party. We had a great time!
  • I shouldn’t have gone to the bar last night. I have a very big test today and a bigger headache!
  • He shouldn’t have eaten that sushi. It was not fresh, and I think it made him very sick.

Vocabulary: Clothes and Accessories

pinterest-logo

Macklemore mentions many types of clothing, apparel and accessories. Instead of reading definitions, go to the Macklemore “Thrift Shop” board on Pinterest and browse the picture dictionary. Here is the complete list of clothing from the song:

  • gator shoes
  • leopard mink
  • moccasins
  • jumpsuit
  • leather jacket
  • sneakers
  • luggage
  • plaid button-up shirt
  • jammies, also pajamas
  • onesie 
  • socks
  • t-shirt

Discussion Questions

Do you like to buy new clothes? Will you consider buying used or second-hand clothes? What are the advantages or disadvantages of buying clothes at a thrift shop? Have you ever bought clothes from a thrift shop? If you have, do you regret it? Please write your comments below!

The post Expressing Regrets Using ‘Should Have’ with Macklemore appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/expressing-regrets-using-should-have-with-macklemore/feed/ 0 Modal Verb ‘Can’ with Sir Mix-a-Lot http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/modal-verb-can-with-sir-mix-a-lot/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/modal-verb-can-with-sir-mix-a-lot/#respond Tue, 21 May 2013 13:52:05 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=320 Sir Mix-a-Lot is one of the most fun-loving and energetic producers. He is based in Seattle, Washington, and he formed the Nastymix Record Label with DJ Nasty Nes. He is most well known for his Grammy award-winning single “Baby Got Back”, which was released in 1992. In this song, Sir Mix-a-Lot describes his obsession with women’s […]

The post Modal Verb ‘Can’ with Sir Mix-a-Lot appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> Sir Mix-a-Lot is one of the most fun-loving and energetic producers. He is based in Seattle, Washington, and he formed the Nastymix Record Label with DJ Nasty Nes. He is most well known for his Grammy award-winning single “Baby Got Back”, which was released in 1992. In this song, Sir Mix-a-Lot describes his obsession with women’s butts. Its blatantly sexual lyrics caused controversy, and MTV briefly banned the music video. Despite its initial shock, “Baby Got Back”  is considered tame by the majority of American people today.

I like big butts, and I cannot lie
You other brothers can’t deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty-bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung

Grammar: Modal Verb ‘Can’

Can is a very common modal verb, and it has many meanings and uses. Use can in order to:

  • to discuss an ability
  • to discuss an opportunity
  • to ask for permission
  • to make polite requests
  • to make offers
  • to discuss a possibility

Subject + can + base verb

Subject + cannot + base verb  **one word, not two words

Subject + can’t + base verb

Can + subject + base verb?

  • Sir Mix-a-Lot can rap very well. His musical abilities are very good. He sings very well. 
  • He can’t go to the concert. He has to work, and he wont’ have the opportunity to see De La Soul in concert
  • Can I borrow your Tribe Called Quest CD?
  • Can I borrow your car. It’s a big request, but I have an important job interview tomorrow! 
  • Can I get you something to drink? I am offering to buy you a drink. 
  • Learning English can be fun if you learn with hip-hop! It’s possible that you will have fun if you learn English with rap music. 

Synonyms of Can

Synonyms are words with similar or the same meaning. 

  • can for opportunities and abilities = be able to
    • He able to sing very well.
    • I was able to get a full scholarship!
  • can for persmission and requests = may, could
    • May I borrow your CD?
    • Could I use car for a few hours today

Grammar Activity

There are many sentences in the song that use can and can’t. Read each sentence and decide if it means an opportunity, an ability, permission, request, an offer, or a possibility. Write your answers in the comments below!

  1. I mean, her butt is just so big
    I can’t believe it’s just so round.
  2. I like big butts and I cannot lie
    You other brothers can’t deny.
  3. You notice that butt was stuffed
    Deep in the jeans she’s wearing
    I’m hooked and I can’t stop staring
  4. I just can’t help myself. I’m acting like an animal.
  5. You can do side bends or sit ups
    But please don’t lose that butt.
  6. To the beanpole dames in the magazines.
    You ain’t it, Miss Thing!
    Give me a sister. I can’t resist her!
    Red beans and rice didn’t miss her.

Karaoke Activity

“Baby Got Back” is commonly sung in Karaoke bars in America. Trying singing it here! 

The post Modal Verb ‘Can’ with Sir Mix-a-Lot appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

]]> http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/modal-verb-can-with-sir-mix-a-lot/feed/ 0