'Dising', you better believe it

Rap is a form of communication, like other forms of communication, it benefits greatly from rhetorical appeals. Rhetorical appeals make the message clearer, and they make the claim more persuasive. The rhetorical perspective should be used in rap more. Rhetoric has the greatest effect in a “dis” track. The most useful rhetorical device for a “dis” is Ethos. Ethos is the term given to all rhetoric that deals with character. Whether you’re calling someone a “villain,” or claiming that you’re an “OG.” Ethos is involved.

But what happens after you make a claim? Does the audience believe it and await the next claim? Or does the audience demand evidence? How discerning is your audience? Would your audience respond to "cranium accesories," or "a lot of s*** on your head"?

These are things you must consider when you give evidence to support your claims. You must consider the type of evidence that your audience will be receptive to. The depth and breadth of information must be considered.  Form. Audience. Purpose. These things must be considered during the message tailoring. What form will your audience respond to, "you're an unsavory character," or "thou art a villain." Audience is intrinsic to the rap. It's the difference between gangster and hip-hop.

Pathos and Logos have a place in rap. However, that place is the sort of location you refer to when you say, "it knows its place." I am dismissive of logos and pathos. You see, I think that they are bad. What place does logic and emotion have on the cold, hard streets? Logic just makes you shake your fist at the insurmountable walls in the bastion of poverty known as the hood. Displays of emotion warrant unwanted titles and disgrace your character.

So, when you're about to dis some people. Make sure that your claims are to be believed and your opponents haven't studied as much as you.

Keep safe.