MC's vs Rappers

What does an MC mean in rap?

Oh, you want it used in a sentence? Here’s not one but two:

“For those that envy a MC it can be/Hazardous to your health, so be friendly”

-Rakim

“To the party people out there, we want y'all just to know that we are the four MC's and we are the star of the show”

-Afrika Bambaataa (yes, I’m aware that there are a lot of A’s in his name).

An MC or (Emcee) is the master of ceremonies. MC’s are rappers but on steroids. The MC’s are the entertainers, the host and control the vibe of the show. An MC controls the audience. They control the mic hence the other meaning for a master of ceremonies: mic controller. So what does on MC mean in rap? It’s just a fancy name for event host. On MTV’s Wild n Out, Nick Cannon is an MC. He controls the games, controls the crowd, and partakes in all the lyrical events.

What does an MC do?

An MC controls the audience and the people around them. They are the host of the show and bring energy. Yes, many of them do rap, perform or have their singles. That is not all that they do. They also pick the tracks, pick the DJ, and are considered gatekeepers in their professions. A large majority of individuals that an MC is a better rapper more in-tune with hip-hop culture. That is far from the case as the two terms are becoming increasingly similar. It is not abnormal to have a rapper acting as an MC but it is uncommon for an MC to act as a rapper. Obviously doesn’t include Nick Cannon because he does everything.

Originally an MC would introduce the DJ between the exchange of sets using words with rhymes in them. That tradition has typically gone away since it much quicker to switch from sets due to the influence of your Apple computer. It is common for an MC to not rap. An MC can do anything to keep the audience entertained including the use of jokes.

Quick Questions, Quick Answers:

What is the difference between an MC and a rapper?

KRS-ONE from the ZULU Nation sums it up best:

Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal/

Emcees spit rhymes to uplift their people

What is an example of a modern-day MC?

A Tribe Called Quest, Sway Universe and Nick Cannon

Where did the term MC come from?

According to a Tribe Called Quest in the notes of his 1993 album “Midnight Matters”:

The use of the term MC when referring to a rhyming wordsmith originates from the dance halls of Jamaica. At each event, there would be a master of ceremonies who would introduce the different musical acts and would say a toast in style of a rhyme, directed at the audience and to the performers. He would also make announcements such as the schedule of other events or advertisements from local sponsors. The term MC continued to be used by the children of women who moved to New York City to work as maids in the 1970s. These MCs eventually created a new style of music called hip-hop based on the rhyming they used to do in Jamaica and the breakbeats used in records. MC has also recently been accepted to refer to all who engineer music.”

While the term MC is slowly becoming synonymous with a rapper. It is an important to keep a stark distinction between them. Why? For the culture. The culture is becoming more mainstream and monetized. With the rise of corporations controlling the music, the tradition behind is going to fade. What does an MC mean? It means you’re the star above the show and a cut above the rest.