Santos, Jamilyn R.

October 19, 2018

Arts 1 E3 Ms. Ma. Theresa De Guzman

What rap song could you consider a poem?

Of all the songs with rap I know, which is not that many, 'See You Again' by Wiz Khalifa

featuring Charlie Puth was probably one of which clearly /explicitly shows sadness, love and

longing. This song is a tribute for the Fast and the Furious actor Paul Walker who died before the

release of the 7th installation of the said movie. The incident really shocked and saddened

everyone who knew him that's probably why upon the release of the song, it stayed on top charts

for weeks. The song was really catchy and emotional that made it so relatable to anyone who

ever lost someone who's dear to them and misses them badly.

For me, I can consider this song a poem because of few reasons. First, like most poem

and rap lines have in common, this song also have few lines that have rhyming in the last words

of its lines. Like,

Damn, who knew?

All the planes we flew

Good things we've been through

That I'll be standing right here talking to you

Those were the days

Hard work forever pays

Now I see you in a better place

Next is the use of figurative language. Most poems use simile, metaphor, and

personification etc., to have better description and delivery of lines and ideas in a creative way

that makes people think critically, to me that's one of the reasons why poetry is very addicting. It

possesses this mysterious effect that hooks the audience. Few lines that uses figurative lines in

the song are:

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again

So let the light guide your way hold every memory

As you go and every road you take will always lead you home

And last is the mood. Reading poems that exactly piques your emotion is one of the best

things that could ever happen. Having your thoughts and emotions put into words is magical.

Same goes when you hear songs where you can completely relate to, which in this case a rap

song.

But, in my opinion, not all rap songs can be considered as poem. It depends solely on the

way artists wrote and deliver the lines and the message and on the audience on how they

interpret that certain artwork. Artists have their unique way of expressing. I like to think of it as

this way: Some poems can be in the form of rap songs. It is delivered as poem but in different

form.

References:

Ryan, Tom. “5 Key Characteristics of Poetry.“ Pen & the Pad. 21 February 2017,

https://penandthepad.com/5-key-characteristics-poetry-10056677.html

“See You Again.” Genius Lyrics, https://genius.com/Wiz-khalifa-see-you-again-lyrics