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Every hip-hop song is made up of "beat and "vocals". The background music is called "beat", the singing is referred to as "vocals". This item will concentrate on the vocals part. However, since you can't create hip-hop without beat (obviously...), you'll need to produce one before you start.

Now let's get to business.

First of all, you have to be fully familiar with your words, and make sure your singer knows them (if you are plan on getting one). Reading from a piece of paper isn't an option -- you need to know the words by heart. Rehearse until you rap them with confidence. Your confidence will come out in the recording, and that's exactly what you want.

Memorizing the words isn't all of it. You have to act them. Express the correct emotion and let your audience feel it. You want to swagger, plead, protest -- depends on the words you're saying. Again, confidence is key, so this is another thing you'll have to rehearse before you even get close the microphone.

Let's move on to the actual recording. You'll need an audio recording software and headphones (to play your beat without letting the music leak into the recording). It's recommended to record in a closed space, with as little echo and background noise as possible. Echo is much reduced by hanging a few carpets on the walls.

Your mouth should be kept 3-6 inches from the mic at all times.

A very important procedure is the sound check, adjusting your microphone's input gain. No, "testing, testing, 1,2,3" isn't the way to go about it. Sorry, but you'll have to perform the whole song, over and over again, each time adjusting the mic's input to make sure that you never strike the "red zone" on the meter. You need to make sure that you don't stray off the middle at all times. Yes, the software does have a tool -- called "compression"-- for this specific task, and it is indeed a good starting point. But doing it manually makes a world of difference. No pain no (accurate) gain, you know?

At long last, you can actually start recording. It may take up much of your time, as you'll need at least one flawless take. Note that you only record the main vocals at first, adlibs and effects will follow. Your vocals are ready! Using mixing and mastering tools, combine them with the beat and create your cool hip-hop hit.

Enjoy creating!