What is the Difference Between MC and Rapper

The two words, MC and rapper, are often used in the world of hip-hop interchangeably. However, there is a distinct difference between MC and rapper.

What is the difference between MC and rapper? An MC focuses more on engaging the crowd and leading live events, while a rapper is mainly known for writing and performing songs.

Key Areas Covered

1. Who is an MC  
      – Definition, Features 
2. Who is a Rapper
      – Definition, Features, Content
3. Similarities Between MC and Rapper
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between MC and Rapper
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: MC and Rapper
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

MC, Rapper, Emcee 

Who is an MC

MC is short for Master of Ceremonies. An MC is someone who keeps the energy going at a hip-hop show or event. In the early days of hip-hop, MCs were the people who stood next to the DJ, talked to the crowd, introduced songs, and got people excited. Over time, this role grew into what we now know as rapping.

An MC knows how to control the stage, interact with the audience, and keep the party alive. They hype up the crowd, introduce performers, and sometimes freestyle or perform their own music. Many great performers are both MCs and rappers. But not all rappers are good MCs.
Some artists even include “MC” in their stage names, like MC Hammer or MC Lyte. This is to show they’re more than just lyricists.

Who is a Rapper

A rapper is a type of musician who performs rap, which is a style of music where words are spoken with rhythm and rhyme instead of being sung. Rappers often write their own lyrics and say them in time with a beat, using wordplay, storytelling, and emotion to connect with their audience.

Rap is a big part of hip-hop culture, and it started in the 1970s at parties where people would speak over music to entertain the crowd. Over time, this grew into the rap music we know today. A rapper’s style is called their flow. It is how smoothly and creatively they deliver their words.

Rappers can talk about many things, like real-life struggles, personal experiences, social issues, or just fun and energy. Some famous rappers include Tupac, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar. Some rappers also work as MCs (Masters of Ceremonies) who hype up the crowd during live shows.

Similarities Between MC and Rapper

1. Both are part of hip-hop culture and play important roles in its music and performances.
2. They can perform live on stage and connect with an audience.
3. Both use rhythm and rhyme to perform spoken words over a beat.
4. They often write their own lyrics and express messages or stories through their words.
5. They need good flow, timing, and delivery to sound smooth and stay on beat.

Difference Between MC and Rapper

Definition

• An MC is a performer who acts like a host or announcer at live shows, keeping the crowd engaged and the energy high, whereas a rapper is a music artist who writes and performs recorded or written tracks, usually with rhythm and rhyme over a beat.

Main Role

• An MC focuses on entertaining the crowd, hosting events, and keeping energy high, whereas a rapper focuses on writing and performing lyrics over a beat.

Performance

• MCs often interact with the audience, freestyle, and hype up the DJ or performers, while rappers perform songs, often with more focus on lyrics, rhyme, and flow.

Skills

• An MC needs strong stage presence and the ability to control the crowd, whereas a rapper needs strong lyric-writing, rhyming, and vocal delivery skills.

FAQ: MC and Rapper

1. Is MC the same as rapper?

No, an MC is not exactly the same as a rapper. An MC focuses on hosting and hyping up the crowd, while a rapper focuses more on writing and performing songs.

2. Is every rapper an MC?

No, not every rapper is an MC. A rapper may be good at writing and performing lyrics, but an MC also knows how to lead a crowd and control the stage. Some rappers do both, but not all.

3. Is Eminem a rapper or MC?

Yes, Eminem is both a rapper and an MC. He writes and performs powerful lyrics like a rapper and also has the skills to perform live and control the crowd like an MC.

4. Is Kanye West a rapper or an MC?

Kanye West is mainly a rapper, known for writing and performing his own lyrics. He has performed live and can hype up a crowd, but he is not usually called an MC in the traditional hip-hop sense.

Reference:

1. “Master of ceremonies.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

2. “Rapping.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “50 cent en concierto” By Photos By Alyssa – Flickr (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Emcee N.I.C.E. in Concert 2” By RapMusicHistorian – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia