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To MC is a great art, it's not just about spitting whatever lyrics come into your head down the microphone; it's about lyrical intelligence, musical knowledge, and the supreme ability to work a crowd. You may think that anyone can become an MC when put in front of a microphone however this is simply not so. An MC (or emcee) must possess a high level of charisma, a supreme stage presence and a great ability to speak in front of a crowd. There is no room for shyness here, an extrovert nature is required and always an MC must be bold in approach.

An MC by definition is a master of ceremonies; a host that speaks to the crowd and keeps the mood alive, maintains the momentum of an event and ensures that it does not crash and burn. When it comes to hip-hop however the term MC stands for microphone controller, an intelligent musically minded individual that spits slick verses down the mic. Rhyming verses are traditionally used and these can be rehearsed or freestyled. When freestyled the lyrics must flow off the tongue, battles can occur where one MC must freestyle a verse and another has to swiftly return a response. This requires for quick thinking, a high level of intelligence is here required and the hip-hop MC must always be fully prepared. A vast musical intelligence is required, to be an MC you must be musically minded and an incredibly quick thinker; if not then never will you succeed as an MC in the world of hip-hop.

The term MC is branded around too freely I feel, too many weak individuals claim the role of MC when in truth they do not have the confidence or professionalism to pull it off. An MC must possess a certain swagger, an almost arrogant attitude that allows them to truly be the master; a strong presence of personality that makes everyone in a room focus on them and listen to what it is that the MC has to say. If a person can not garner the attention of all then they are not truly an MC, just an ineffective speaker of words.

An MC is someone that truly believes in themselves, an individual that genuinely does feel that they personally can win a crowd over and hold the full undivided attention of everyone present in the audience. A great deal of confidence is required, without confidence an MC will always fail and will therefore cease to be the 'master' or 'controller'. In conventional terms an ineffective MC can ruin an event as their speaking voice will be powerless and they will therefore not gain the interest and attention of those present at the event. In terms of hip-hop then a poor MC can disappoint to devastating effect. If MCing over the backing of music then even if the music were the best in the world then a poorly versed rap lick over the top could all but ruin the enjoyment of it all. Always an MC must be charismatic and confident, if not then it just won't work and the MC shall fail. There must be heart in the performance, passion in the portrayal of words, if not then the words will ultimately mean nothing and no one will wish to listen.

Learn more about this author, Richard Leigh.
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