Metonmy

Metonymy is the substitution of a word or phrase for another that is closely related. In practice, this is typically accomplished by substituting a word representing something concrete that stands as a symbol for a concept that is abstract, such as referring to kinghood as "the crown."

Metonymy is an oft-used poetic device, and its use is subsequently widespread in hip-hop. In fact, one of the major facets of rap music is an excellent example of metonymy: the idea of "the streets." When an emcee refers to the streets, what images and associations are conjured in your mind? "The streets" as a metonymical device represents the hardships and struggle of the day-to-day life of millions of people living in the squalor and neglect of project housing and "bad sides of town" all over the country--all over the world, in fact.

However, the idea of "the streets" is not where rap's love affair with metonymy ends. Here are a few more examples:

blood - Blood is an extremely prevalent metonymical device, and not just in hip-hop. Blood represents familial connections (either in families or closely-knit groups), sacrifice (as in blood spilt for a cause), and strength.

the mic - The microphone is the single most integral part of an emcee's art. It is his paintbrush, his chisel, his instrument of creation. It can also represent one's voice in terms of self-expression.

the beat - The beat can stand for an emcee's connection to all life in general, in the sense of a unified heartbeat, or it can stand for whatever force it is that compels him to rhyme in the first place.

What other examples of metonymy can you think of

written by Froshkiller