You know that feeling when you are in the studio, excited to work, and want to create some of the best music of your life, but you find yourself tangled in a web of self-doubt and overthinking?
In today’s episode, we’re going to show you exactly how to fix the problem of self-doubt when penning your next hit, so that you never overanalyze your raps ever again.
-------------------------------------------
Master The Art of Freestyle Rap In 2 Weeks Or Less (COURSE WE MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO): https://htr.freestylefortnight.com/dontoverthinkfreestyle
-------------------------------------------
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:46 Master Freestyle Course
1:21 Step 1
4:27 Step 2
6:27 Step 3
8:21 Step 4
11:21 Step 5
-------------------------------------------
The first—and maybe the easiest—step for fixing the problem of overthinking in rap is to shift your environment.
In other words, attempt to write your rhymes, investigate new beats, or practice your freestyles in a totally different area than where your mind is used to creating.
This is important because if you’re experiencing overthinking or even writer’s block, one of the key reasons is likely that you’ve trained your brain to actually “shut down” when you write or try to create in the same places you’ve had overthinking or writer’s block in the past.
And this isn’t just a theory, either.
This strategy has been used by some of rap’s most iconic figures to great effect, showing just how powerful a new setting can be for innovation.
Take Kanye West’s classic album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, for example.
To escape the hustle and pressure of his usual environment, Kanye took himself to a secluded mansion in Hawaii—the lush, peaceful surroundings provided a sharp contrast to his hectic life in Los Angeles.
This wasn’t just a physical move but a deliberate attempt to clear his mind and dive deeply into his music.
The calm island atmosphere allowed Kanye to focus intensely, leading to the creation of an album that not only broke new ground in hip-hop but was also hailed for its depth and innovation.
Similarly, OutKast’s approach to recording their album Stankonia highlights how a change of environment can boost creativity.
The duo decided to build their own studio in Atlanta, actually naming it Stankonia.
By investing in a personal space dedicated to their music, OutKast could experiment with new sounds and techniques that might have been limited in a traditional studio.
This shift wasn’t just about a new physical space; it was about gaining the freedom and control to explore their artistic boundaries.
Their new studio became a symbol of their creativity and independence, helping them produce an album that left a lasting mark on hip-hop.
So, changing your environment isn’t just for the rap legends; it’s something you can try in your own creative journey to fight overthinking and refresh your artistry.
Start by finding a new location that inspires you.
This could be anything from rearranging your current studio space to simply deciding to write some bars in a different room of your own house or apartment—but the goal is to break the monotony.
If your studio is cluttered and familiar, try changing up the decor, adding some plants, or adjusting the color scheme to create a fresh atmosphere that sparks creativity.
Alternatively, consider moving your creative process to a completely different setting.
If you usually work from home, try collaborating in a rented studio space or even a cozy coffee shop.
Even a small shift in your working environment can make a big difference in your mindset and creativity.
However, it might not be that easy for you to simply start making bars in another place, so in the next step, we’ll give you an even more common solution for fixing overthinking in rap.