The Grandparents of Rap: Rhyme Games

In the late 50's early 60's, people in the black americam communities used to play a variety of rhyme word games:

• The Dozens: totally destroy somebody else with words, by insulting each other until one gives up (and dissing their mothers)
• The Signifying: dissing your opponent or make them feel good; you had to know how to skillfully put words together so you could accurately express your feelings.

The winner was determined by crowd reaction. But this was rapping just the same, rapping by another name.