7L & Esoteric

hype-man

noun

Updated Sept. 17, 2024

a performer who supports MCs on-stage by engaging the crowd with lyrical repetition, call-and-response, chanting, etc.

(this role is now often regarded as contemptible)

Etymology from hype, verb, meaning "to excite"

Collocates hype² ⋅ dog ⋅ FN ⋅ MC ⋅ wack

Shout-outs Al Gringo ⋅ DEA ⋅ MF Grimm

Regionality New York City 40% ⋅ Atlanta 6.7% ⋅ Berkeley 6.7% ⋅ Boston 6.7% ⋅ College Park 6.7% ⋅ Dallas 6.7% ⋅ Long Island 6.7% ⋅ Minneapolis 6.7% ⋅ Philadelphia 6.7% ⋅ Providence 6.7%

Timeline

1999-10 7L & Esoteric "Speaking Real Words" feat. Inspectah Deck [Speaking Real Words]
I'll take your hype-man and beat him with the mic stand
2000-07-25 Kool Keith "Baddest M.C." [Matthew]
With my hype-man, Al Gringo
2001-08-28 Mars Ill "The Abolition of Manchild" [Raw Material]
Without me, it's all just hype-men, dat tapes, and back-up dancers

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Origins of Cited Artists