This post is a guest article written by Paul Martin. Paul is an English teacher who’s from New York and is currently based in Buenos Aires. A music lover, he tries to incorporate music from all different genres into his lesson plans. He teaches with Listen & Learn, which offers English courses in New York, in addition to other foreign-language classes all over the world. You can check out his Facebook page or email him at paul@listenandlearn.org for more information.

Now take it away, Paul!

Introduction

“Empire State of Mind” is a single from Jay-Z’s 2009 album “The Blueprint 3”, which was a collaboration (something done together) Jay-Z and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. The song is a tribute (something that shows respect or affection) to New York City, where both Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are from. New York state’s nickname is “The Empire State”, and state of mind is a synonym for “attitude” or “mood”. Therefore, “Empire State of Mind” means “New York attitude”. The song deals with some of the positive and negative aspects of living in New York, and is filled with useful vocabulary and New York-themed slang.

Now you’re in New York!
Concrete jungles where dreams are made of.
There’s nothing you can’t do!

New York Slang and Vocabulary

In “Empire State of Mind”, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys make many references to various places in New York City. If you’re interested in slang from many different cities in the United States, check out this American slang map.

• Brooklyn – Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York, where Jay-Z was born.
• Tribeca – Tribeca is a neighborhood in New York where Jay-Z currently lives. The word “Tribeca” means “Triangle Below Canal Street”, which refers to its location within New York.
• (Frank) Sinatra – Jay-Z makes a reference to Frank Sinatra, who recorded the wildly popular song “New York, New York” in 1977.
• Harlem – Harlem is a historically and culturally important neighborhood in Manhattan. It’s the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance, an artistic and musical movement that gave rise to famous musicians such as Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong.
• The Knicks and The Nets – Jay-Z makes reference to the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, which are two professional New York-based basketball teams.
• Yankees – The Yankees are one of New York’s two major-league baseball teams (the other is The Mets).
• yellow/gypsy/dollar cab – A cab is a casual term for a taxi. In New York, yellow cabs are official, legal taxis. Gypsy cabs are illegal, unlicensed taxis. Dollar cabs refer to a certain type of illegal taxi that operates in Brooklyn at night.
• Labor Day Parade – The Labor Day Parade takes place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn every year.
• Statue of Liberty – One of New York’s most famous landmarks, the Statue of Liberty was completed in 1886.
• World Trade – The World Trade Center is another one of New York’s most famous landmarks, which was destroyed in 2001.
• The city that never sleeps – New York is often called the “the city that never sleeps”, referring to the fact that there are always people awake and doing things, even late into the night.

Other Useful Words and Phrases

• to make it – If someone “makes it”, they have achieved fame or success. When Jay-Z says that he “made it here”, it means that he achieved success in New York.
• most definitely – “Most definitely” is an adverbial expression that signals intensity. For example, if you strongly agree with something, you can say that you “most definitely agree”.
• Let’s hear it for + noun – When Alicia Keys says “Let’s hear it for New York!”, she’s speaking in praise of New York, and asking for applause. It’s a way of saying, “Let’s cheer and applaud New York”.
• brand new – If something is brand new, it’s not just new, it’s completely new. A brand-new car, for example, is one that has just been produced.
• It’s a pity – If you say that something is “a pity”, it means that it has caused you sadness or disappointment. For example, if you can’t see a Jay-Z concert because tickets are too expensive, you can say, “It’s a pity that Jay-Z tickets cost so much”.
• to step out of bounds – Literally, “to step out of bounds” is used in sports, and means “to step outside the area where a game is played”. However, you can also use the expression to describe situations in which somebody is behaving inappropriately. For example, a teacher might warn you that cheating on a test is “out of bounds” and will result in a failing grade.
• act like + noun/sentence – The phrasal verb “act like” can mean two things: “behave” or “pretend”, depending on context. For example, if your brother is “acting like an idiot”, he’s behaving stupidly. If your friend is “acting like he doesn’t understand”, she’s pretending that he doesn’t understand something, even though she does. As you can see in the previous examples, “act like” can be followed by either a noun or a sentence.
• addicted to + noun – If you’re “addicted to” something, you’re unable to stop using it. It usually refers to harmful substances like drugs.

Writing Task

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are from New York. We’ve heard their song, so now, let’s hear it for wherever you’re from! Where are you from? What are some of the positive and negative aspects of your hometown? Leave a comment below!

The post New York Slang with Jay-Z appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Everyone trying to be trife never face the consequences.
You probably only did a month for minor offences.
Ask a nigga doing life if he had another chance,
but then again there’s always the wicked that knew in advance.
Dance forever with the devil on a cold cell block,
but that’s what happens when you rape, murder and sell rock.
Devils used to be God’s angels that fell from the top.
There’s no diversity because we’re burning in the melting pot.

Vocabulary

In this powerful song, Immortal Technique describes how drugs and crime are destroying communities every day. He tells a story about a boy named William who abandons his mother and morals in order to live a lavish life of money, drugs and women. The end of the story is as surprising as it is shocking. Please review these words and phrases and then listen to the song.

• illest (adjective) – very good; the best and highest quality. This is the illest beat that I’ve ever heard!
• hustler (noun) – a person who makes money illegally, usually by selling drugs. Life is not like the movies. If you are a hustler, you will have a very difficult life indeed. 
  • hustle is the verb form
• coke (noun) – an abbreviation for cocaine, which is a highly addictive and illegal drug. Coke is illegal in nearly every country in the world. If you’re caught with it, you will go to jail.
  • rock is a slang word for crack, which is a pure and highly addictive form of cocaine.
• fiend (noun) – a very unpleasant person who is addicted to drugs; a junkie. Many drug fiends commit crimes in order to afford their expensive drug usage. If we treat drug addiction as a health problem, then we should see a decrease in these crimes.
• hit and run prospects (phrase) – something or someone that you can take advantage of and then quickly abandon. This phrase normally refers to young women who become the victims of sketchy men.
• squeal (verb) – to make a very unpleasant noise; in the context of this song, squeal means to reveal a secret. Did he squeal to the police? 
• drop out of (phrasal verb) – to leave school without completing your studies. Statistic have shown that people who drop out of college are more likely to live in poverty.
• give in (phrasal verb) – to do something that you don’t want to do or is unpleasant. I was cigarette free for a few days, but then I gave in yesterday. Quitting smoking is so hard!
• trife (adjective) – this is an abbreviation of the word ‘trifle’ or ‘trifling.’ If something is trife, it is unattractive, undesirable or morally corrupt. Don’t be trife! 
• do life (idiom) – to spend the rest of your life in jail or prison. If he does not accept the plea deal, he might do life in prison. 
• step up (phrasal verb) – to increase the speed, volume, amount, etc, of something. We need to clean up the house before my wife gets home. Can you step it up a bit?
• cut throat (adjective) – a person who is ruthless, competitive and aggressive. The competition at my company is so cut-throat!
• bust slugs (slang) – to shoot a gun.
• smoke somebody (slang) – to shoot somebody. Martin Scorsese films are so violent. People are getting smoked every two seconds!
• cold-hearted (adjective) – a person who has no mercy, compassion of sympathy. Her last husband was a cold-hearted monster. 
• made man (idiom) – a man who is very wealthy and successful. He admired the made men who drove fancy cars. 
• cife/projects (slang) – a ghetto; a low-income neighborhood that usually has a lot of crime. Living in the cife is tough. 
• raw (adjective) – tough, aggressive and violent. Does a real man get raw when things go bad?
• crew (noun) – a small, exclusive group of people that you regularly see and interact with. My crew is going to meet me at the mall later today. 
• cypher (noun) – a freestyle, impromptu rapping competition two or more people. New York City used to be busy with cyphers.

The post Learn English Vocabulary with Immortal Technique appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

And baby, it’s amazing I’m in this maze with you.
I just can’t crack your code.
One day you screaming you love me loud.
The next day you’re so cold.
One day you’re here. One day you’re there. One day you care
You’re so unfair. Sipping from your cup until it runneth over. Holy Grail!

Vocabulary

In this song, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake describe their love-hate relationship with fame. They love being famous celebrities, but they also realize that being rich and famous has many disadvantages. Some of these words and expressions are related to the topic of fame and will help you understand the song:

• take off (sep. phrasal verb) – to remove clothes. My roommate is so messy. He throws his clothes on the floor after taking them off.
• give up (sep. phrasal verb) – to quit; to stop doing something. Teaching was such a hard job, so I gave up and started a new career.
• Holy Grail (idiom) – something that you try very hard to achieve, but probably never will. My dream job is working at Google, but that’s the Holy Grail of jobs! 
• be caught up in something (in. phrasal verb) – to be involved in a situation, especially one that you do not want to be involved in. Sorry I’m late! I got caught up in a very long meeting at work. My boss wouldn’t shut up!
• My bad! (slang) – a slang expression used to admit that you’ve made a mistake. Oh, no! I’m sorry that I broke your chair. My bad!
• cornered off (adjective) – to be trapped in a place and unable to escape. The crowd at the concert was so big, and I couldn’t see the stage. I got cornered off in the back.
• call off (sep. phrasal verb) – to cancel plans. I was going to meet my friend, but then she called it off at the last minute.
• get on your high horse (idiom) – to behave arrogantly and think you are better than everyone. If somebody is being very arrogant, you can say, “Get off your high horse!”
• Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. (proverb) – This proverb gives us advice and warns us about making a serious mistake. If we try to eliminate something that is bad, we should avoid eliminating the good things.
• living the life (idiom) – to live a comfortable and luxurious life. My vacation in Bali has been amazing so far. I’m finally living the life!

Writing Task

Do you want to be rich and famous one day? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a popular celebrity? If you were a well-known superstar, do you think you would get tired of it? Write your ideas in the comments below. 

The post Learn English Idioms with Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

On February 15, 1999, Coleman was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in his native Harlem. His second studio album, The Big Picture, was put together by Coleman’s manager, Rich King. It was released the following year and certified gold (taken verbatim from Wikipedia).

Vocabulary

So put it on, Big L. Put it on.
Come on! Put it on and on and on.
Come on. Put it on, Big L. Put it on.
Come on. Put it on, represent, put it on. Come on!

• put on (sep. phrasal verb) – to make some specially; to produce and play a show, concert, etc. Did you hear the Lil Wayne is putting on a show in December? I can’t wait!
  • other possible meanings
• hops (noun) – a slang word used in New York City during the 1990s. It’s similar to dude, bro, son, yute, etc.
• front (verb) – a slang word that means to insult or disrespect. Don’t come to my party and front! That’s a guaranteed way to get a black eye.
  • other possible meanings
• nookie (noun) – having sex. Why are you so happy? Did you finally get some nookie?!
• rookie (noun) – a person who has just started a job or activity and is inexperienced. He’s only been a lawyer for 6 months, so he’s still a rookie.
• can’t take something (idiom) – to hate something; unable to tolerate something. It’s so hot in here. I can’t take it anymore! Can we please turn on the AC?
• youse (pronoun) – an informal way of saying, “You are” especially common in the northeast United States. Youse a cool dude!
• pissed (adjective) – very angry. Please don’t talk to me right now. I’m very pissed!
• break of dawn (idiom) – very early in the morning when the sun starts to rise. I have to wake up at the break of dawn, so I can’t stay up late.
• a must (idiom) – something that you must do, see, try, etc. San Francisco’s art culture is amazing. Visiting the galleries in the Mission District is a must.
• slick (adjective) – very cool and smooth. Her new car is slick!

Writing Task

Big L is a very confident rapper. He believes in his skills and abilities, and he’s not afraid to tell you what’s on his mind. Do you think confidence is a good thing? Is it possible to be too confident? What are the advantages of having self-confidence. Please write your responses in the comments below.

The post Learn English Vocabulary with Big L appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

My style is off the thermostat plus I’m coming from the cold.

Vocabulary

In this song, Kardinal Offishal lists the many differences between American and Canadian slang.

• turn up (sep. phrasal verb) – to make music, radio, TV, etc. louder. I can’t hear the movie. Can you turn it up please?
• You know what I’m saying? (American slang) – a phrase used for clarification and to check understanding. Do you understand me? Know what I’m saying?
  • Yuh dun know? (Canadaian slang)
• That’s the breaks! (American slang) – a phrase used when a problem has happened and you cannot change it. I’m sorry that your uncle died. That’s the breaks man. So it goes.
  • A so it go. (Canadian slang)
• Word (American slang) – very common word used to express agreement and satisfaction. This track is dope! Word up, son
  • zeen (Canadaian slang)
• More times (Canadian slang) – a phrase that means “More often than not”; More times California is hot and dry with no rain.
• Differently (Canadian slang) – used to tell somebody that they are wrong or incorrect.
• yute (Canadian slang) – a young person, especially a teenager. All the yutes are drinking and smoking cigarettes in the graveyard behind my house.
• jubie (Canadian slang) – a young, attractive woman. That jubie is the woman of my dreams!
  • also, di gal dem (Canadian slang)
• T Dot (Canadian slang) – a nickname for the Canadian city of Toronto.
• kissing teeth (Canadian slang) – a sound made with the lips and teeth, used to show disapproval. Don’t you kiss teeth in front of me! 
• Come again. (expression) – used to ask someone to repeat. Come again? Sorry, I didn’t  understand you.
• punk (American slang) – a young boy who behaves badly or violently. That little punk needs to be arrested. He keeps stealing my newspapers.
  • fosse (Canadian slang)
• crep (Canadian slang) – shoes.
• fete (Canadian slang) – a big party.
• 2-4 of Guinness (Canadian slang) – 24 cans of Guinness. He brought a 2-4 with him to the party, and he blacked a few hours later.
• the bundown (Canadian slang) – the most attractive woman even. She’s crazy hot! She’s the bundown. 
• boys / homies (American slang) – your close friends. I might chill with my boys later tonight. 
  • di man dem (Canadian slang)
• chicken / skettlebam (Canadian slang) – an unintelligent, tacky and gross woman. Let’s get out of here. All the jubies at this party are all chickens. 
• thug (American slang) – a violent criminal, especially a gangster.
  • shotta (Canadian slang)
• burn Kahn / puff lah (Canadian slang) – to smoke marijuana. After a long day of work, who doesn’t like burning Kahn?

Writing Task

Kardinal Offishal is very proud of hometown of Toronto. Are you proud of your hometown? Why or why not? If I visit your city, what should I do or see? Please write your ideas in the comments below! 

The post Learn Canadian Slang with Kardinal Offishall appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

I love it when you call me big poppa

Vocabulary

• mack on somebody (in. phrasal verb) – to hit on, flirt or seduce somebody. My friend is too shy to mack on girls, so he’ll probably be single for a long time!
• crew (noun) – your closest group of friends; your gang of friends. When my crew shows up to the club, the party gets started! 
• honey (noun) – a slang word for young, attractive women. Look at that fine-ass honey at the back of the club! I’ve got to get me a piece of that.
• C notes (noun) – a slang word for a $100 bill. Have you ever seen a thick stack of C notes before? 
  • also, Benjamins
• player (noun) – a womanizer; a man who has sexual relationships with many different women. Don’t hate the player, baby. Hate the game.
• telly (noun) – a slang word for a hotel. After we leave the party, let’s check in at the telly and order room service.
• crib (noun) – a slang word for a home. I don’t feel like going to the club tonight. I just want to chill in my crib.
• cream (noun) – a slang word for money. Rap artists make a lot of cream!

Discussion Questions

Do you want to have an extravagant lifestyle like Biggie Smalls? Have you ever wanted to swim in a big pile of Benjamins? Do you like partying with your crew in the clubs, or do you like to chill out in your crib? Please write your responses in the comments below!

The post Fridays with Biggie: Big Poppa appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Vocabulary

• scratch your temple (expression) – to think very carefully, especially when confronted with a difficult problem or puzzle. 
  
• mellow (adjective) – calm, relaxed. He’s a very mellow guy. He does yoga and drinks green tea.
• front (noun) – behavior to hide your true feeling and emotions. He’s acting like a tough guy right now, but it’s just a front. He’ll be crying like a sissy when he’s alone tonight. 
  • also a verb
• be getting at something ( in. phrasal verb) – to criticize something. I don’t know what you’re getting at, but I can see that you’re very upset with me.
  • usually in progressive form
• be down with something (in. phrasal verb) – used to say that you support, like or appreciate something. This Indian food is really good! I think I can get down with vegetarianism.
  • can also mean to oppose something
• get into something / go into something (in. phrasal verb) – to examine something carefully. Our Professor didn’t go into the details, but he expects us to read the book at home. 
  • many other meanings
• right away (adverb) – immediately. She’s going into labor! We have to take her to a hospital right away.
• make something count (idiom) – to make something interesting, useful or worthwhile. If you want to learn English, you have to make every day count.
• fall out / falling out (noun) – a very serious argument or fight that ends a friendship. They aren’t talking to each other anymore. They had a falling out.
  • fall out  is also a verb
• run off at the mouth (expression) – to speak and talk carelessly. This is a secret, so don’t go running off at the mouth!

Research and Writing Task

O.P.P. is an acronym. What does it stand for? What do the following acronyms stand for:

• NASA
• SCUBA
• ESL
• TOEFL
• IELTS
• ASAP
• LOL
• USA
• UK

The post Learn English Vocabulary with Naughty by Nature appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

There’s no way I can pay you back,
but the plan is to show you that I understand.
You are appreciated.

Vocabulary

• beef (slang) – If you are upset with somebody for a long time and hold a grudge, then you have beef. My coworkers are always fighting. They must have some beef between each other.
  
• kick out (sep. phrasal verb) – to make somebody leave and go away. If you don’t do well in school, you might get kicked out. You need to study harder and improve your grades.
• pay back (sep. phrasal verb) – repay; to return money that you borrowed from somebody. Can I borrow $20? I promise I’ll pay you back next week. 
• pass away (idiom) – to die. She’s been feeling very depressed since her father passed away last year.
• feel for (in. phrasal verb) – to have sympathy for somebody. I’m really sorry to hear that you lost your job. I feel for you!
• hang around with (in. phrasal verb) – to spend a lot of time with somebody. Every since he’s gotten a girlfriend, he has stopped hanging around with  us. 
• sling (idiom) – to sell drugs. I think those guys on the street corner are slinging. Should we call the cops?
  • commonly pronounced like slang
• on your own (idiom) – alone; without any help. I like the independence of being single, but living on my own is lonely sometimes.
• stay real (idiom) – to be honest and natural. Stay real with me. I hate liars!
  • also keep it real
• roll on (in. phrasal verb) – to continue, especially if you are tired or unhappy. I can’t believe it’s only Tuesday! I don’t know if I can roll on until the weekend.
  
• hold on (in. phrasal verb) – used to tell somebody to wait or stop. Can you hold on for a minute? I’m on the phone, but I’ll help you soon.

Discussion Questions

Can you explain why your mother is a special woman? How has she made your life better and easier? How many sacrifices has your mother made? How do you honor and pay respect to your mother? Please write your ideas in the comments below!

The post 2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “Dear Mama” appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

What you mean you don’t know? I get around.
The Underground just don’t stop for hoes. I get around.
Still down with the Underground. I get around.
Yeah, Shock, let them hoes know.

Vocabulary

• get around (idiom) – to have sexual relationships with many people. It doesn’t matter if she gets around or not. That’s her personal business, and it shouldn’t influence our decision to hire her.
  
• keep something in check (idiom) – to keep something under control. If you don’t keep your cholesterol in check, you are going to have a heart attack!
• Take it easy! (expression) – used to tell somebody to relax, especially if they are upset or angry. Take it easy, man! I was only joking about your weight. I don’t really think you’re a fat cow.
• in a jiffy (adverb) – very soon. Can you please wait a moment while I help this customer. I’ll be with you in a jiffy.
• picky (adjective) – difficult to please. Children are such picky eaters. My nephew is the worst!
• tie down (phrasal verb) – to restrict somebody’s freedom. If you don’t have a family tying you down, then you have more opportunities to travel.
• fits (noun) – clothes. She doesn’t wear the nicest fits, but she’s still very stylish.
• be/get caught up in something (phrasal verb) – to be involved with something. Don’t get caught up with those people. They’re asking for trouble.
• on the downlow (idiom) – secretly. Don’t tell him what we’re doing this weekend. Keep it on the downlow.
• break/crack of dawn (noun) – very early in the morning. I can’t stay up late tonight. I have to be up at the break of dawn tomorrow morning.
• set off (phrasal verb) – to start a process. The verdict of the controversial murder case set off protests around the city.
• on somebody’s mind (idiom) – to think or worry about something a lot. You have been on my mind recently. Do you want to meet for coffee soon?
• do time (idiom) – to spend time in prison. He’s doing major time for murdering his family.
• be down for something (idiom) – willing to do something. Are you down for the party tonight? You’re going right?
  • also, be up for something
• hoe (slang) – an insulting word for a promiscuous woman, sometimes used to describe women in general. You shouldn’t call women hoes. It’s very insulting and sexist!

Discussion Questions

In American society, there is a double standard for men and women. If a man gets around, he is praised and worshiped by his friends and coworkers. But if a woman gets around, she is considered a “whore” and does not get any respect. Is this double standard fair? Do you have a similar double standard in your country? Is this a case of sexism? Please write your opinion in the comments below!

The post 2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “I Get Around” appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

School is out and it’s a sort of a buzz.
And back then I didn’t really know what it was.
But now I see what have of this.
The way that people respond to summer madness.

Vocabulary

Review these important words and phrases before you listen to the song. Each word has an example sentence and the definition in context to the song.

• unwind (verb) – to relax, especially after a difficult day of work or school. After work, I like to unwind with a dip in the swimming pool.
  
• groove (noun) – a song, especially an enjoyable one. Clap your hands to the beat of the groove! Come on everybody. Get up and move! 
  • also a verb – to dance. She likes to groove to the music.
• be/get/run out of control (adjective) – to become impossible to manage or control. My young students are always out of control. They never listen to me, and I really want to scream at them! 
• buzz (noun) – a strong feeling of pleasure or excitement. Every Friday, there is a buzz around the office. People cannot wait for the weekend to begin!
• honey (noun) – a slang word for a young, attractive woman. Look at all the honeys here! I hope I don’t say something stupid.
• hustle (verb) – to move very quickly or with a lot of energy and excitement. Many people hustle to the beach in the summer. It’s a very popular place to be.
• sneaks (noun) – short for sneakers, which is a slang word for shoes. Those sneaks look tight! Where did you buy them?
• for old times’ sake (expression) – If you do something for old times’ sake, it means you do it because it is connected to something that happened to you in the past. I used to play guitar in a rock band, but I quit several years ago. I am not a serious musician now, but sometimes I play alone for old times’ sake.
• nostalgia (noun) – the feeling of sadness and pleasure when you think about happy times from the past. Old movies always spark up a wave of nostalgia. I miss my childhood days.
• mess around with somebody (phrasal verb) – to spend time being relaxed and doing something for pleasure. We spent the day messing around in Central Park. 
• roll around (verb) – to arrive. Once the evening rolls around, the downtown area will be more exciting! 
  • also, roll up

Discussion Question

What do you like to do during the summer? Do you have any special traditions when summer rolls up? What do you look forward to? Do you like to mess around a swimming pool with your friends? Please write in the comments below!

The post Summer Vocabulary with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.