Linguistic Originality of American Rap Compositions (On the Example of Machine Gun Kelly and Nf)

Abstract

Aim. To reveal the phonetic, lexical, phraseological and syntactic peculiarities of the modern American rappers’ compositions and to determine the most frequent stylistic devices used by the performers.Methodology. The author has analyzed 15 rap compositions created by the American rappers Machine Gun Kelly and NF. The following methods were applied: continuous sampling method, descriptive-analytical method, method of statistical analysis and data interpretation, contextual and discursive analyses.Result. Having studied the factual material, the author found out that the greatest stylistic expressiveness of rap texts was achieved by using the following tropes: allusion, comparison, metaphor, periphrasis.Research implications. The modern material of rap discourse, which was not previously subjected to linguo-stylistic analysis, has been investigated. The originality of modern rappers’ texts has been revealed. It leads to understanding of how the strategic mechanisms, through which the performers influence their audience, are actualized. And this understanding enables listeners to perceive their idols’ creative work more adequately.