Why Do Rappers Fashion Themselves A Rap Name?

[Ella]

Isnt T.I's name Tip harris or something like that. He just used the first two letters of his name.

Isnt T.I's name Tip harris or something like that. He just used the first two letters of his name.

it's Clifford Joseph Harris

T.I 's family or w/e called him Tip (dunno why tho) when he wanted to become a rapper he dropped the P and called himself T.I. outta respect for Q-Tip the rapper..

[gutawafang]

i think it's because it is cool, that's all. long names aren't so cool, especially here in Asia. it just ain't.

[yoshi]

Hmm.. I think there's a way easier explanation - how about being original? The one and only? There are probably thousands of Marshalls out there, but only one Eminem. Hundreds of men share the "Jackson" or "Jones" name. People hear the nickname (like Nas, Eminem, Rakim) and instantly think about certain person.
It's also the matter of a catchy nickname I think. When I read about Del Tha Funkee Homosapien I just had to check him out, just because it sounded somehow fascinating.

I'm not saying that having a nickname is a must-have, like Talib Kweli (which original enough, plus it has its own meaning which suits his raps 100%, plus most of the people don't know how to say it lol) or Obie Trice, but 99% of rappers (or singers) will get it anyways. It's shorter, easier to remember, you can play with it and make people think why or how did you come up with something like that.


As for all the Lil's - no fucking idea, it's so boring and un-original that it hurts me -__-'

[DrRapid]

Lots of rappers have names that just wouldn't suit as an artist name. I do think that it's good to have a rap name which plays on your own name, nothing wrong about it.

[Tornado]

because we can...it's your name, your music,

[AbramIsaac]

There are a few factors that go into it, I'm sure, but here's my take on it.

Rappers generally have big egos, or they pretend to anyway. One of the main staples in rap is the "I'm the shit" song. Basically that song where the emcee just talks himself up, and shits on everyone else. Egocentric people outside of rap give themselves nicknames as well. You know, that guy that calls himself the "T-Meister" or something (crappy nick, I know). Some rappers may do this to separate this egocentric guy from the actual person that they are. Kanye obviously needs no separation.

The idea of separating the person who talks about doing drugs, fucking women, shooting people, etc. from their government name may be part of it as well. Gangsta' type guys get nicknames from their neighborhoods as well, from my experience.

Do you have any ideas on this that you have yet to discuss Scott?