Braggadocio (rap)

"I'm taking rappers to a new plateau, through rap slow. My rhymin' is a vitamin held without a capsule." — Nas, "N.Y. State of Mind" [1]

When rapping, MCs use braggadocio to boast—to speak about themselves with great pride.[2] Braggadocio may include subjects such as physicality, fighting ability, financial riches, sexual prowess, or "coolness".[3] Often heavily used in battle rap, braggadocio lyrics can range from just saying, "I'm the best MC ever," to using elaborate phraseology and wit.[2]

  1. ^ Tolbert, Michael A. (October 6, 2014). "Nas: 'Illmatic' Queensbridge King". Ebony. Retrieved July 16, 2018. In 1994, these words from the ambitious 20-year-old MC Nas were fresh, but no one knew they were prophetic—except for the MC behind them. Time Is Illmatic provides a rare opportunity to see behind the braggadocio, behind the bars, behind the struggle, and behind the triumph.
  2. ^ a b Edwards 2009, p. 25.
  3. ^ Smitherman 2003, p. 219.