In live musical performances, what is the point of the hypeman?

[scientific method]

I get it when it's an up and coming artist (like when Ja Rule used to hypeman for DMX, Eminem/Nelly trying to push their also ran %+$ groups) or I've seen instances where the hype man or person performs during breaks in the action while the main performer rests or goes to the back to change clothes (actually talking rnb here but whatever).

But why is the hypeman(s) always 10 times more energetic and loud than the actual headline performer you are paying money to see?

Either he(they) need to calm the %!!+ down and shut up, or given that people paid to see them the main performer should bring more energy. Nobody is payi

And what's with the bringing a huge gang of kats on stage (especially NY rappers) and all of them aren't even hypeman and don't have mics. Dudes aren't dancing or adding anything, they all just stand there, mean mug and head bop at the most.

Also, why do most rappers lip synch, have the track with their voice playing in the background and rap a long? You're not having to hit notes or anything, you're just talking/yelling in a somewhat rhythmic manner. Is it really that hard to hit your marks on the beat?

I would post videos, but of course there is going to be so much profanity that it would violate a R.O.C rule so just think of any rapper's performance minus maybe Kanye.

Thank you all for reading and I look forward to your response

backup singers in the foreground

 

[scientific method]

I get it when it's an up and coming artist (like when Ja Rule used to hypeman for DMX, Eminem/Nelly trying to push their also ran %+$ groups) or I've seen instances where the hype man or person performs during breaks in the action while the main performer rests or goes to the back to change clothes (actually talking rnb here but whatever).

But why is the hypeman(s) always 10 times more energetic and loud than the actual headline performer you are paying money to see?

Either he(they) need to calm the %!!+ down and shut up, or given that people paid to see them the main performer should bring more energy. Nobody is payi

And what's with the bringing a huge gang of kats on stage (especially NY rappers) and all of them aren't even hypeman and don't have mics. Dudes aren't dancing or adding anything, they all just stand there, mean mug and head bop at the most.

Also, why do most rappers lip synch, have the track with their voice playing in the background and rap a long? You're not having to hit notes or anything, you're just talking/yelling in a somewhat rhythmic manner. Is it really that hard to hit your marks on the beat?

I would post videos, but of course there is going to be so much profanity that it would violate a R.O.C rule so just think of any rapper's performance minus maybe Kanye.

Thank you all for reading and I look forward to your response

backup singers in the foreground

 

[boi]

make the song sound better... someone to fill in their adlibs.. rappers run out of breath..

 

[boi]

make the song sound better... someone to fill in their adlibs.. rappers run out of breath..

 

[alkatrez]

Rapping takes a lot of breath control. There are moments in songs where that require a lot of energy and breath to say and sometimes they might miss that word or words to follow. The hypeman basically fills in those moments to cover up the missed words.

As far as the crowd being on stage, that's just the culture of it. It's more of a symbolism of bringing your friends along the way. It may also make some performers feel more comfortable knowing they have the support from their people. Honestly, I have no concrete answer for this question....lol.

 

[alkatrez]

Rapping takes a lot of breath control. There are moments in songs where that require a lot of energy and breath to say and sometimes they might miss that word or words to follow. The hypeman basically fills in those moments to cover up the missed words.

As far as the crowd being on stage, that's just the culture of it. It's more of a symbolism of bringing your friends along the way. It may also make some performers feel more comfortable knowing they have the support from their people. Honestly, I have no concrete answer for this question....lol.

 

[getthismoney]

OP is so right. Why can't they just rap normally? Kanye does it and it works fine.

 

[getthismoney]

OP is so right. Why can't they just rap normally? Kanye does it and it works fine.

 

[18th letter]

I'll use Jay-Z as an example, He's old and runs out of breath quickly. Memphis bleek can cover those missed spots, as well as emphasizing a punch line or a popular line in the song.

On the other hand, those lame club type performers with their whole crew on stage, Game and ASAP Rocky for example are just lame, simple. They don't have the stage presence that is Jay-Z or Eminem or Kanye West or even Lil Wayne so they feel more comfortable with a gang of dudes behind them.

If you were watching the 50 Cent SXSW performance over the weekend you would have seen Yayo filling in some spots, pause, and even emphasizing some lines & trying to get the crowd more involved as well. Hence the name "hypeman". Compared to when Eminem showed up on stage you could tell right away he needed nobody else on stage because his presence is one of the best in hip hop. 

 

[18th letter]

I'll use Jay-Z as an example, He's old and runs out of breath quickly. Memphis bleek can cover those missed spots, as well as emphasizing a punch line or a popular line in the song.

On the other hand, those lame club type performers with their whole crew on stage, Game and ASAP Rocky for example are just lame, simple. They don't have the stage presence that is Jay-Z or Eminem or Kanye West or even Lil Wayne so they feel more comfortable with a gang of dudes behind them.

If you were watching the 50 Cent SXSW performance over the weekend you would have seen Yayo filling in some spots, pause, and even emphasizing some lines & trying to get the crowd more involved as well. Hence the name "hypeman". Compared to when Eminem showed up on stage you could tell right away he needed nobody else on stage because his presence is one of the best in hip hop. 

 

[paulbaekr]

Originally Posted by alkaTREz

Rapping takes a lot of breath control. There are moments in songs where that require a lot of energy and breath to say and sometimes they might miss that word or words to follow. The hypeman basically fills in those moments to cover up the missed words.

As far as the crowd being on stage, that's just the culture of it. It's more of a symbolism of bringing your friends along the way. It may also make some performers feel more comfortable knowing they have the support from their people. Honestly, I have no concrete answer for this question....lol.

well said sir.

 

[paulbaekr]

Originally Posted by alkaTREz

Rapping takes a lot of breath control. There are moments in songs where that require a lot of energy and breath to say and sometimes they might miss that word or words to follow. The hypeman basically fills in those moments to cover up the missed words.

As far as the crowd being on stage, that's just the culture of it. It's more of a symbolism of bringing your friends along the way. It may also make some performers feel more comfortable knowing they have the support from their people. Honestly, I have no concrete answer for this question....lol.

well said sir.

 

[mrbrown]

Rap does not sound as smooth and full in person

Hype man fills in the blanks.... real life performances can't be compared to record album. It seems theres more gaps in reality at least it seems

 

[mrbrown]

Rap does not sound as smooth and full in person

Hype man fills in the blanks.... real life performances can't be compared to record album. It seems theres more gaps in reality at least it seems

 

[a55a5in11]

lol ever wale concert i've been to he always has like 20 dudes on stage jumping around getting hyphy. love it

 

[a55a5in11]

lol ever wale concert i've been to he always has like 20 dudes on stage jumping around getting hyphy. love it

 

[airjordan jb23]

I don't mind a hypeman at a show as long as they aren't OD... Memphis Bleek to Jay is a perfect example of a good hypeman. Some seem to be screaming & rapping more than the artist themselves & come off as a distraction... When a hypeman does there job & doesn't go over the top then they are good at shows.

 

[airjordan jb23]

I don't mind a hypeman at a show as long as they aren't OD... Memphis Bleek to Jay is a perfect example of a good hypeman. Some seem to be screaming & rapping more than the artist themselves & come off as a distraction... When a hypeman does there job & doesn't go over the top then they are good at shows.

 

[moonmaster3]

Because 99% of rap/hip hop is TERRIBLE live. That's why they need the song playing in the background (who pays for a live concert just to have the CD played back to them?).

Can anyone honestly say I'm wrong though? For the most part rap/hip hop songs are so filtered and go through so much editing that it becomes artificial. This results in an extremely poor live product.

 

[moonmaster3]

Because 99% of rap/hip hop is TERRIBLE live. That's why they need the song playing in the background (who pays for a live concert just to have the CD played back to them?).

Can anyone honestly say I'm wrong though? For the most part rap/hip hop songs are so filtered and go through so much editing that it becomes artificial. This results in an extremely poor live product.

 

[|A-Man|]

The job description is in the job title. He's suppose to get you hype man.

As for why the main performer isn't as hype it's cuz he's suppose to be performing the song for your entertainment not running around and jumping up and down the stage yelling and ad libbing.

 

[|A-Man|]

The job description is in the job title. He's suppose to get you hype man.

As for why the main performer isn't as hype it's cuz he's suppose to be performing the song for your entertainment not running around and jumping up and down the stage yelling and ad libbing.

 

[brianilla]

bleek is probably the second best hypeman of all, diddy would probably be the first.. 

seeing kelly rowland live though, she does not need any backup even if dancing is included in her performance...
as well as for all the women like beyonce who does not get tired at all...

 

[brianilla]

bleek is probably the second best hypeman of all, diddy would probably be the first.. 

seeing kelly rowland live though, she does not need any backup even if dancing is included in her performance...
as well as for all the women like beyonce who does not get tired at all...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Whenever I see or think about hypemen, I thnkn about the Steve Harvey bit on Kings of Comedy. I was going to post the YouTube vid but it had too much cursing & I didn't want to get in trouble with the NT admins...

I remember seeing Wu-Tang for the first time about a year after 36 Chambers dropped & you couldn't hear anyone because everyone was shouting in thier mics at the same time. The only groups I've ever seen pull it off were Run DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, & De La Soul. The only rapper I've seen perform solo (without a hypeman) that pulled it off was Nas years ago.