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.

You, you got what I need, but you say he’s just a friend.
And you say he’s just a friend, oh baby!

Grammar: Using ‘Ever’

Have you ever met a girl that you tried to date
But a year to make love she wanted you to wait?
Let me tell you a story of my situation.
I was talking to this girl from the U.S. nation

We normally use ever with the present perfect (has/have + past participle) or past perfect (had + perfect). It means any time up to now or any time up to then. We normally use ever in questions:

Have/Has/Had + subject + ever + past participle?

• Have you ever been to a hip-hop concert?
• Has he ever been to Europe?
• Had you ever thought of going to college before you met your wife?

It is possible to use ‘ever’ in negative sentences, but most people say never.

• I don’t ever want to go there again!
• I never want to go there again! more common

Vocabulary

• date (noun/verb) – a meeting with your boyfriend/girlfriend, or with a potential boyfriend/girlfriend. I asked a girl out on a date, but she turned me down.
• take somebody’s word for it –  to trust or believe somebody. I think you should go to school because you can get a great job. But don’t take my word for it! Do the research yourself.
• build up (sep. phrasal verb) – to create or develop something. Couples need communication if they want to build up their relationship.
• dandy (adjective) – old-fashioned way of saying very good. I feel fine and dandy!
• on somebody’s dime (idiom) – If something is on your dime, it means you pay for it. Order anything from the menu. Dinner is on the boss’s dime tonight!
• on your/the/its way – going or coming. The pizza guy is on his way. We will have dinner in a few minutes.
• Oh, snap! (idiom) – a phrase to express your suprise or excitement. Oh, snap! They have free bagels in the office.

Writing Task

Have you ever had a situation like Biz Markie? Have you ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend who cheated on you? What would you do if you saw your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend on the street right now. Please write your ideas in the comments below!

The post Beginning Hip-Hop with Biz Markie: Vocabulary and How to Use ‘Ever’ appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Love is blind, and it will take over your mind.
What you think is love is truly not.
You need to elevate and find.

Grammar: Reported Speech

She told me she would leave you. I admit it. She did.

Telling me to mind my business.
Said that it was her life and stay the fuck out of it.

See, I laid down beside her in the hospital bed.
And about two hours later, doctors said she was dead.

When we report people’s ideas and speech and use their exact words, this is called direct speech. This grammar uses the exact words of the speaker, and it is usually marked with quotation marks.

• He said, “I don’t want to work here anymore.”
• She told me, “He is a great guy, but I’m not ready for a relationship.”

It is also possible to report somebody’s speech and ideas with our own words, especially if we are reporting in another place and at a different time. This grammar is called reported or indirect speech, and it requires a change in pronouns, verb tenses and time/location words. For example:

• He said, “I don’t want to work here anymore.”
  He said he didn’t want to work there anymore.
• She told me, “He is a great guy, but I’m not ready for a relationship.”
  She told me he was a great guy, but she wasn’t ready for a relationship.
• She said, “I will leave Mark.”
  She said she would leave Mark.
• She said, “It is my life!”
  She said that it was her life!

Verb Tense Change in Reported Speech

If the reporting verb is in the past (said, told, thought, knew, found out, asked, realized), then you must change the verb tense.

• will — would
  • I said, “Bring an umbrella because it will rain.”
  • I said bring an umbrella because it would rain.
• simple present — simple past
  • He said, “I need help!”
  • He said he needed help.
• present progressive — past progressive
  • She said, “I am learning English now.”
  • She said she was learning English now.
• present perfect — past perfect
  • He said, “The hotel staff have been so helpful.”
  • He said the hotel staff had been so helpful.
• simple past — past perfect
  • She said, “My father studied chemistry.”
  • She said her father had studied chemistry.
• can — could
  • He said, “I can’t pass the TOEFL. It’s too hard!”
  • He said he couldn’t pass the TOEFL because it was too hard.
• past perfect / would / could — no change in verb tense
  • I said, “I couldn’t go to the meeting last week.”
  • I said I couldn’t go to the meeting.

If the reporting verb is in the present, future or present perfect, then you do not have to change the verb tense.

Vocabulary

• fall for somebody (in. phrasal verb) – to be attracted to somebody and deeply in love with them. How can you fall for such a lazy man? He doesn’t even work full time!
• be on call (idiom) – to be available for work, especially for emergencies. My father is a doctor, and he’s always on call. Sometimes he has to leave dinner unexpectedly to perform surgery.
• take over (in. phrasal verb) – to have control over something. Do you think love can take over the world?
• not give a crap / shit / fuck / damn (slang) – to not care about something. I don’t give a damn how old your grandmother is! She’s a rude lady.
• have the nerve (idiom) – behaving in a way that other people find rude or offensive. I can’t believe he has the nerve to bring his new girlfriend to the party after breaking up with you last week.
• figure out (sep. phrasal verb) – to think about and solve a problem. I can’t figure out how to fix my computer. Can you help me?

Writing Task

Do you think love is blind? If you were in love with somebody, would you stay in the relationship no matter what? Why do some men and women stay in harmful or abusive relationships? If you found out that your friend was in a bad relationship, what advice would you give your friend? Please write your ideas in the comments below!

The post Reported Speech and Vocabulary with Eve appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

As I leave, believe I’m stomping.
But when I come back boy, I’m coming straight outta Compton.

Pronunciation: Outta

I’m coming straight outta Compton

Outta is a reduction of the words out of, and it is common in informal speech. Outta is pronounced /ˈaʊtə/. Be careful not to say oughta, which is a reduction of the word ought to. This word is pronounced /ˈɔːt tə/ or /ˈɔːt tu/.

Outta (out of) has several meanings, depending on the context:

• We’re straight outta Compton! = We come from Compton!
• This party sucks. Let’s get outta here. = Let’s leave. 
  
• Let’s order a pizza. We’re outta food. = There’s no food.
• I’m not in shape anymore. I’m outta breath! = It’s difficult to breath after exercise.

Phrases with ‘Out Of’

There are many collocations and phrases with out of. Here is a list of some of them:

• out of breath – to have difficulty breathing after exercising or strenuous activity. I used to be healthy and exercise all the time, but now I get out of breath walking up stairs.
  
• run out of something – to use up or finish the supply of something. Can you help me please?! We’ve run out of toilet paper!
• be out of your mind –  to become crazy. Are you out of your mind or just plain stupid? It’s not a good idea to run across the busy street.
• go out of town – to travel away from home to a different place, for vacation or business. My roommate will be out of town all next week, so I’ll get to enjoy some peace and quiet for once.
• out of date – old fashioned; no longer valid. All of my clothes are really out of date, so I’m gonna donate them to charity and buy new clothes.
• pay out of pocket – to pay with your own money. Teachers in the US have to pay for a lot of school supplies out of their own pockets.
• get out of …  – to leave a place. Let’s get out of here.
• be out of your price range  – something so expensive that you can’t afford to buy it. I really love this car, but it’s out of my price range.
• be out of the question – something that is forbidden or impossible and not worth discussing. You cannot borrow any money from me. It’s out of the question because you already owe me $2,000!
• Out of sight, out of mind – a saying used for somebody that you will easily forget because they are longer with you.

Writing Task

1. Do you know more phrases or idioms with out of?
2. Use a search engine and search for out of. What are some of the websites?

The post Learn Pronunciation and Vocabulary with N.W.A appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

There’s a war going on outside no man is safe from.
You could run, but you can’t hide forever
from these, streets that we done took.
You walking with your head downscared to look.
You shook ’cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks.

By and Until

We living this ’til the day that we die.
Survival of the fit. Only the strong survive.

Until is a common preposition of time, and we use it to express actions that continue to a point in time and stop. Use “until” with the past, present and future.

• I am 27 years old. I lived with my parents until I was 18. Therefore, I moved out of my parents house nine years ago.
• He’s working until 9 pm tonight, so I imagine he’ll be very tired.
• My boss from work will be unavailable until next week, so I can’t ask her for a raise right now.

Many people shorten “until” into ’til or ’till.

A commonly confused preposition of time is by. This word means no later than or before.

• My professor wants my essay by 5pm today.  It’s 2pm right now, so I only have three hours to write it. Can you drive me to the library?!
• The flight has been delayed a few hours, but we should be boarding by 9pm. It’s 6pm right now, so I don’t think we have enough time to leave the aiport to play golf.

Vocabulary

• go on (phrasal verb) – to happen; to occur; to take place. What is going on outside? I heard some screaming and shouting!
• no such thing as … (expression) – used to say that somebody/something does not exist. There‘s no such thing as Santa Claus. He doesn’t really exist, and it’s just a story for children.
  • in many hip-hop/rap songs, ain’t no such things
• have thick skin / be thick-skinned (idiom) – not easily offended or hurt; insensitive. If you want to be a successful musician, you need to have thick skin. In the beginning, everybody will hate you!
• can’t turn back (expression) – used to say that somebody/something is unable to return where it came from. I’m sorry you’re feeling homesick, but you can’t turn back now. We are flying over the Pacific Ocean!
• watch somebody’s back (idiom) – to be careful about where you are and the people around you in order to avoid something bad. You have to watch your back in this neighborhood, especially at night. It gets dangerous!

The post Learn English Grammar with Mobb Deep: by & until appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Take your shoes off, let your hair down and go berserk all night long.
Grow your beard out, just weird out and go berserk all night long.

Grammar

Now this shit‘s about to kick off. This party looks wack.

I‘m about to bloody this track up. Everybody get back.

Just like I did with addiction, I‘m about to kick it.

About to go H.A.M., ya bish, shout out to Kendrick.

If you are about to do something, you are close to doing it. It means you are going to do something very soon.

Subject + am/is/are + infinitive with ‘to’

• Can you tell me where the toilet is? I‘m about to throw up!
• You must be so excited, right? You‘re about to graduate from college!
• I can’t reach her on the phone. I think she’s about to board the plane.

This structure has the same meaning as be fixing to. However, many people consider this “incorrect” English, whatever that means.

Subject + am/is/are + fixing + infinitive with ‘to’

• I can’t talk on the phone for very long. My flight‘s fixing to take off.
• You‘re fixing to leave the country, so I wanted to say goodbye!

Girl you’re fixing to get your heart broke.

Not about to do something has a slightly different meaning. It means you are unwilling to do something and you don’t plan on doing it.

Subject + am/is/are + not about + infinitive with ‘to’

• I’ve never done the laundry, but I‘m not about to start now!
• He’s studying for the TOEFL, so he‘s not about to leave his desk and go out drinking with you guys.

Vocabulary

• kick off (sep. phrasal verb) – to start or begin something. I hope you kick off the fall semester with a lot of energy and enthusiasm!
• start something from scratch (idiom) – to do something again from the beginning and not use previous work. I tried to write a short story, but it was very difficult. I threw out my work and just started from scratch.
• kick (idiom) – there are two possible meanings in the song:
  • to stop doing a harmful habit. I was a smoker for five years, but I’ve finally kicked the habit.
  • to start something. Let’s kick off the party, shall we?
    
• go H.A.M. (slang) – a slang expression that means Hard As a Motherfucker.
• kick the bucket (idiom) – to die; pass away. What countries do you want to visit before you kick the bucket?
• throw in the towel (idiom) – to quit, especially after admitting the defeat. You’ve worked so hard to be a rapper. You can’t throw in the towel because somebody dissed you. 
• set the bar low (idiom) – to have low standards and expectations. He’s a very lonely person, and he will marry anybody! He’s set the bar rather low, to be honest.

Writing Task

Answer these questions in the comments below!

• Where are you, and what time is it now?
• What are you about to do?
• Some people are very adventurous eaters, and they will try anything. Is there any food that you’re not about to eat?

The post Learn English Grammar & Vocabulary with Eminem’s Berzerk! 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.