A guide to key terms, language, and concepts used throughout the culture.
MC stands for Master of Ceremonies. In hip hop, it refers to the person on the mic delivering rhymes, energy, and presence.
A Disc Jockey who controls records, rhythm, transitions, and crowd energy. DJs were central to the birth of hip hop.
Bars refer to lines of lyrics or the structure of a verse, often tied to lyricism, flow, and wordplay.
A freestyle is an improvised rap or a style of performance that feels spontaneous and fluid.