Hype man
Meaning: A person whose job is to energize the crowd and build excitement, often backing up the main performer on stage.
In hip-hop, the hype man stands alongside the rapper, shouting ad-libs, repeating key phrases, and getting the audience pumped. Flavor Flav of Public Enemy is the most iconic hype man. The term now applies to anyone who hypes others up — a friend who's always cheering you on is your 'hype man.'
Examples
- Every great rapper needs a solid hype man on stage. 每个伟大的rapper都需要一个靠谱的hype man在台上。Todo gran rapero necesita un buen hype man en el escenario.偉大なラッパーにはステージ上に優秀なハイプマンが必要だ。위대한 래퍼에겐 무대 위에 든든한 하이프맨이 필요하다.
- She's basically my hype man — always gassing me up before presentations. 她基本上就是我的hype man——每次演讲前都给我打气。Ella es básicamente mi hype man — siempre me anima antes de las presentaciones.彼女は基本的に私のハイプマン——プレゼンの前にいつも盛り上げてくれる。그녀는 사실상 내 하이프맨이야——프레젠테이션 전에 항상 나를 북돋워 준다.
- The DJ doubled as the hype man, keeping the energy up all night. DJ兼任了hype man的角色,整晚把气氛维持得很嗨。El DJ hacía también de hype man, manteniendo la energía toda la noche.DJがハイプマンも兼ねて、一晩中エネルギーを維持してた。DJ가 하이프맨 역할까지 겸해서 밤새 분위기를 유지했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: concerts, hip-hop, friendship
Tone: appreciative, fun
✓ Do Say
- I need you to be my hype man tonight.今晚你得当我的hype man。Necesito que seas mi hype man esta noche.今夜は俺のハイプマンになってくれ。오늘 밤 내 하이프맨이 되어 줘.
- He's the best hype man in the game.他是业界最好的hype man。Es el mejor hype man del mundillo.彼は業界最高のハイプマンだ。그는 업계 최고의 하이프맨이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use dismissively — a good hype man is genuinely valued in performance culture不要用轻蔑的语气说——在表演文化中,优秀的hype man是真正受到尊重的No usar despectivamente — un buen hype man es genuinamente valorado en la cultura del espectáculo軽蔑的に使わないこと。優秀なハイプマンはパフォーマンス文化において本当に重宝される存在。무시하는 의미로 사용하지 말 것——좋은 하이프맨은 공연 문화에서 진심으로 인정받는 존재이다
Origin & History
From hip-hop culture in the 1980s. Flavor Flav (Public Enemy) and Spliff Star (Busta Rhymes) popularized the role. The concept predates hip-hop in carnival barkers and masters of ceremonies.
Cultural Context
Era: 1980s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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