Can't Live Without

This is my first complete rap song, lyrics and music all written and performed by me (with reason 3, and garageband)

Can't Live Without

Well, I'm no expert in rap so I can't say much about your lyrical and vocal parts, but I can share some advices on the general production.

First of, it sounds like you have no low end here. If it wasn't for that bass drum, there would be nothing in the bass register. I think that this sort of music calls for a hard and pumping bass line. Also I think the voice and the lead violin are to up front in the mix and the whole thing in general could use some nice reverb.

:hmmm: I'm not sure on this. I agree with what Phantom said, there is very little bass in this - something that is deeply imbedded in the genre. I'm also not sure you provide enough interest in your mixing of the samples. It seems to be heavily inspired by the rap of Linkin Park with a slight twinge of Eminem. One group I would highly recommend a listen to would be Hollywood Undead. I think there rap is quite interesting and might provide you a little more inspiration AND would definitely give you more of a glimpse into the possibilities that exist in this genre. I almost called this Cracker Rap - but then stopped cause that might be offensive.

blah what makes great Rap awesome is not so much how it sounds but if it's real or not. This is fake. Simple as that. You took a sound you like but forgot to inject real life into it. Sure it follows alright but the words are just so trite.

ok, first off, I've never listened to linkin park, so I really dont know where that came from....

I've been messing with the instrumental for a few days now, and its still not quite the way I like it, and drake, the lyrics are my first attempt, I've never written lyrics much, I agree they need alot of work....

also I have listened to hollywood undead some, and I didnt like them much

I don't think this is a bad attempt at all really...I haven't heard anyone here do rap before. Sure you could provide some more variety or try to build a chorus section, but you don't sound bad and the accompaniment is fairly interesting. For a first try it is great.

hey zach,

i enjoyed this as opposed to some. i think there is a band called orchestral alchemy which does something similar, kinda sampling with a good back beat drum'n'bass and rap, "ambient rap", if you will.

i don't go to definitions in style as fatkid or other people, i just liked it, i haven't listened to the lyrics that much too, so it might be lacking in the "balls" department. rap is kinda like rock or punk in its essence, protest, or hard ego boosting that comes from doing lots of chicks etc etc(seriously, don't ask me). there should be a punch in every end of sentence, like arnold swarzcheblack person in his action movies, but it doesn't sound real just by following this kind of set rules-but what really bugs you, emotes.

i think its a cool direction to explore, if you want it to be more tough and to the bones, don't go timid about it(or ambient) just shout it out, even if its from say, a spoiled brat approach, or a criminal even-as most rappers were-but they still found something to protest.