ESL Hip Hop

Learn English with hip-hop and rap.

Learn English Grammar: Phrasal Verbs with LL Cool J

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LL Cool J  is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor from Bay Shore, New York. He has released thirteen studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, including 2008’s Exit 13. He has also appeared in numerous films, including Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and currently stars as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles. “Mama Said Knock You Out” is […]

Learn English Grammar: Causative Structures with Kris Kross

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Kris Kross was a rap duo from the 1990s, consisting of members Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith. The duo was best known for their hit 1992 song “Jump“, which was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and certified double platinum as a single. It also achieved international success, topping charts in Switzerland, Australia, […]

2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “I Get Around”

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“I Get Around” is a single from 2Pac‘s second album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and features Shock G and Money-B of Digital Underground, which is a hip-hop group from the San Francisco Bay Area. 2Pac is known for rapping about the challenges and struggles of inner-city life, and his songs are thought-provoking and poignant. This light-hearted track  is quite different than his usual […]

Adverbs of Frequency: It’s like a jungle SOMETIMES!

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Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential hip hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ (Grandmaster Flash) and five rappers (Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Cowboy, Mr. Ness/Scorpio, and Rahiem), the group’s use of turntablism, break-beat deejaying, choreographed stage routines and lyricism was a significant force in the early development of hip-hop music. The group rose to fame in […]

Still: I’m STILL taking my time to perfect the beat!

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Dr. Dre is an American record producer, rapper and entrepreneur. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics and was previously the co-owner and artist of Death Row Records. He has produced albums for and managed the careers of many rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Xzibit,50 Cent, The Game and more recently Kendrick Lamar. He is credited as a key figure in the popularization of West […]

2Pac Fridays: Brenda’s Got a Baby

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“Brenda’s Got A Baby” is the solo debut single by Tupac Shakur, and the tenth track from his debut album 2Pacalypse Now. The song, which features R&B singer Dave Hollister, is about a twelve year-old girl named Brenda who lives in a ghetto, has a baby, and is incapable of supporting it. The song explores the issue of teen pregnancy and its effect on […]

Too: You’re TOO hot to handle!

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The Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip-hop group from Staten Island, New York City. They are one of the biggest and most successful hip-hop groups on the East Coast. The Wu-Tang Clan has nine members, including RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and the late Ol€™ Dirty Bastard. The Wu-Tang […]

Summer Vocabulary with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

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DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was an American hip hop duo from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rapper Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) met DJ Jazzy Jeff while trying to make a name for himself in West Philadelphia’s local hip hop scene. After joining forces with Clarence Holmes (Ready Rock C) the team members became local celebrities. Holmes left the group in 1990, and later sued […]

2Pac Fridays: English Pronunciation

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“I Ain’t Mad at Cha” is a song by rapper 2Pac released as the sixth single from his album All Eyez on Me. Although the album was released exactly 7 months before his death, the single was released shortly after his death. The song is a heartfelt tribute, possibly to his friend Napoleon. The song features contemporary soul singer Danny […]

Learn English Vocabulary with Salt-N-Pepa

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Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip-hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York. The group, consisting of Salt, Pepa and DJ Spinderella, was one of the first all-female rap groups. “Push It” was released as the B-side of the “Tramp” single in 1987, and as its own single in 1988. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot […]

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