Do you write vocals before the music?

[akjl4]

I am wondering what other people do as far as song composition goes. At first I would make the song arrangements before I would start righting vocals, but lately I have been finding it might be easier to do vocals and then come up with a song base on how the vocals make me feel. How do you guys work?

[Jesse Z]

Both!

[ddp]

Sometimes the vocal, sometimes the lyric, sometimes the groove, sometimes the riff. You need something to build upon. Something that captures your muse. It could be anything!!

[Igotsoul4u]

I would also say both but most of the time the track comes first.

[the Set Surgeon]

I usually make or get the beat first. The reason being that I'm real into making my delivery part of the beat if you know what I mean. Like, when the syllables actually hit and enhance or follow the drums. Does that make sense? It seems to form a tighter relationship between the two. Not that I've never done it the other way, though.

[ReCC SMAKKD YA]

I freestyle my shit on the beat.. then right it down after I've recorded it..
=]

[christopherchav]

there are no rules to this shit just make it happen however you get it there

[Stylo]

for me having the instrumental already arranged somewhrere in the ballpark of what will come out fo the final mix defnintly helps the writing process... but yeah theres no rules.. long as the end result is nice.. it doesnt matter how you get there

[terrytee]

Not a rapper or singer but in 99% of the situations the vocals were written to the the music, although concepts for some songs have been formed beforehand.

[spunkadellic]

both happen

but i've noticed better melodies come from writing it on piano/guitar before the beat was made

[TaazKareem]

for Hip hop and some R&B I find that doing the beat first works out better. For other styles that are more focused on the melody and/or lyrics I find that building off that is a better workflow. It all depends on what you want to be the focus or strength of the song and what you want to compliment it.

[Joemamma]

I do most of my melodies first, but it usually comes at the same time for me.. I'll get the melody, chords, beat in my head at one time, one idea made up of many ideas.. Or those are at least the songs that turn out the best for me!
I rarely start producing something before I have the main melody, chords, beat, and main idea ready.

[ALL*MYTEE]

+1 for flying by the seat of your pants. I write down whatever comes to mind--lyrics, songs, ideas for beats, sometimes even single words or ideas. Sometimes I just sit down at the computer and start a beat and then see what it wants for lyrics. Isn't the whole point of being an artist doing what you feel like?! :)

I'm always amazed at how often stuff fits. Working on a random beat and all of a sudden I realize it goes with they lyrics I've been working on.

Ghost in the machine.

[phillysoulman]

These days,it all depends on who I am writing with.
Usually, If I am writing alone, I am big on titles.

A great title,imho makes a great song.

A majority of the "real money making songs" have great titles.

[JudahElijah]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

These days,it all depends on who I am writing with.
Usually, If I am writing alone, I am big on titles.

A great title,imho makes a great song.

A majority of the "real money making songs" have great titles.

Basically my strategy also.

[Big 3rd]

I've NEVER start writing without any piece of music.

Now, I have come up with concepts without the music...but for me, since the music is so important in rap...I let the music dictate the direction first. That's why it's good to have a good collection of various types of beats to choose from...especially if you work like I do.

[phillysoulman]

Being an "old school kinda guy",I'll just say this, and that is no matter how you go about creating your song, just remember one thing....keep your publishing!!!

And write songs that will endure the test of time.

Its unfortunate that most hip hop/rap songs are "one time only" hits and more than likely not get covered by anyone else further down the line.
Thats just the way it is.