Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a fill-in-the-blank puzzle about famous hip-hop rhymes. For example, from Run DMC, there’s the verse: “I’m the king of rock / There is none higher / Sucker MC’s should call me _________.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Missing End Words Turn Classic Hip-Hop Verses into a Rhyme Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined by our quiz guy, John Chaneski.
Hi, John.
Hi, Grant.
Hi, Martha.
Hello, John.
What is up?
Today’s quiz is about something we don’t usually talk about, hip-hop music.
Okay.
Oh, cool.
Yes.
Let’s do it.
It’s time.
Yes, it’s been a huge influence for almost 40 years, and it’s a music genre that respects words.
Now, I’m going to recite a passage from a classic hip-hop song, and I want you to give me the rhyming word or phrase that completes the lyric.
I’ll give you a definition of the missing portion, okay?
For example, from Run DMC’s King of Rock, I’m the king of rock, there is none higher, sucker MCs should call me…
Fire.
No, not fire. Did you say fire?
A liar?
No, a respectful form of address for someone of high standing.
Sire.
Sire, right, I’m the king of rock, there is none higher.
Sucker MC should call me sire.
Now, these are among Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 greatest hip-hop songs of all time.
Check it.
First one is Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, The Message.
Neon, King Kong, standing on my back, can’t stop to turn around, broke my rigid joint at the back of the pelvis.
It’s five syllables.
Sacroiliac.
Yes, broke my sacraliliag.
Very good.
I was going to say coccyx from the Greek word for cuckoo because it’s shaped like a beak, but that doesn’t rhyme.
No.
But still, no, it does not rhyme.
Some of these are near rhymes and not direct rhymes.
Okay.
Here’s the Sugar Hill Gang Rapper’s Delight, a classic.
Then you throw your hands high in the air.
You rock into the rhythm.
Shake your rear end.
Underwear.
No.
Derriere.
Derriere is correct.
Yeah, shake your derriere.
Here’s Run DMC again.
Sucker MCs again.
The rhymes have to make a lot of sense.
You got to know when to start, when the beats begin.
Yes, commence.
Nicely done.
And here’s another.
This one, again, is a near rhyme.
This is Public Enemies Fight the Power.
I’m ready and hyped, plus I’m amped.
Most of my heroes don’t appear on no…
Stamps.
Yes.
Postage stamps.
Eric B. And Rakim paid in full.
So I start my mission, leave my residence, thinking how I can get some…
Presidents.
Dead presidents, yes.
Dead presidents, yeah.
Right.
LL Cool J. Ladies love Cool James from Rock the Bells.
You hated Michael and Prince all the way ever since.
If their beats were made of mint, then they would have to be…
Chopped finely.
Minced.
Yes.
Wait, he rhymed mince with minced?
Mince.
With since.
Since, okay.
Sweet.
That’s right.
You hated Michael and Prince all the way ever since.
If their beats were made of mint, then they would have to be mince.
Yeah.
Finally, this is ludicrous.
This is not in the top 50, but this is ludicrous anyway from Crybabies.
You punks pucker and pout, bicker and babble.
Now they all lost for words like I beat them in.
Scrabble.
Scrabble, right.
Ludacris, that was fly.
You are my sucker MC, sir.
You are.
And if you don’t know, now you know.
Thanks, John.
Really appreciate it.
Talk to you next week.
Take care, guys.
Bye.
See you then.
