Do rappers sing raps or say raps?
- sing, because raps are songs.
- say, because you don't really sing a rap, you say it.
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I think 'sing' should be used because raps are songs. I also think 'rap' can be used as a verb too as in "Rappers rap about ...".– MikikoAug 23, 2016 at 1:10
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2Neither. Rappers rap raps. The verb is to rap.– Dan BronAug 23, 2016 at 1:34
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1In spite of what 2Short writes, you neither say nor sing a rap. You don't [verb] a rap. You rap. (v.t.)– P. E. Dant Reinstate MonicaAug 23, 2016 at 1:36
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@DanBron Stop typing so fast.– P. E. Dant Reinstate MonicaAug 23, 2016 at 1:36
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1 Answer
Both are possible, but sing seems preferable. You could also say do rap and perform rap. Rappers rap raps too.
rap
: to perform rap music
Anyway, here are some search results for just say and sing.
However, when looking through instances of say rap, it was hard to find one that matched the meaning we seek. Many examples were in the sense of speaking about rap, not performing rap. For example "How do you say rap in X language?" It was easier to find say a rap, as in
Say a rap, [homeboy], get the mic out your butt
in "Pimp the Hoe" by Too Short. Examples of sing a rap were much easier to find.
Google books:
So all in all, I would say that, between sing and say, sing is preferable.