This is from the archived Oh Word. Visit the relaunched Oh Word for the new style.

Write for Oh Word

OhWord.com is a continually expanding, interactive, communal project. Just as we provide opportunities for feedback on our published works, we also encourage submissions from all and anyone who is interested. The submission and editing of a work is actually a short, largely informal process even though we are strongly committed to displaying works that are heavily edited and of the highest quality.

As you can tell from reading our website, our published works range from the analytical to the utterly ridiculous, from soberly reflective narratives to irreverent diatribes. The main thread binding everything is of course, hip hop, more specifically hip hop of the “old” or “true” schools, but we aren’t wedded to these terms or definitions and we invite readers and potential contributors to explore and challenge these set ideas.

We divide our published works between “Features” and “Reviews.” The features section so far includes Interviews, Album Analyses, Line By Line Analyses, and some lighter, more humorous fare. Album Analyses are longer essays that discuss the musical, poetic, or social significance of a particular LP. These analyses often place these recordings within larger and/or localized hip hop contexts, but any approach is welcome so long as the essay is organized around a relatively discernible thesis, makes an attempt to analyze the music itself, and delves a little deeper than the standard glossy magazine review format. For such analyses, we prefer to cover older material. We also feature “Line By Line” analyses in which the writer breaks down a particular song’s lyrics, offering clarifying or suggestive commentary. “When Rap Goes Rong” covers rap’s worst vintage releases in a humorous manner. “All That And Then Some” contains works that range from the satirical to the bizarre to the unclassifiable. We welcome concepts that defy categorization and new features categories will certainly emerge over time.

The “Reviews” section is for capsule reviews – short reviews that provide an informative and useful synopsis of an album. Although we tend to gravitate towards the slept-on or the underappreciated, we welcome reviews of rap albums from any era, of any style. We are especially in need of writers to cover the emerging catalogue of “throwback” releases, which includes reissues of classic LPs, the release of formerly shelved or “lost” material, recent comeback efforts by beloved old school heroes, mix-tapes and compilations that spotlight older or obscure artists, etc. Although we are open to the review of recent releases, please keep in mind that we are not concerned with becoming the go-to site for hourly updated info and gossip on the current scene, as there are plenty of sites that already serve that purpose.

The best way to submit an article, review, pitch or suggestion is through our contact form.

If you are volunteering for an assignment or pitching an article idea instead of submitting material, please tell us about your writing experience and include a few samples of your work.

We will do our best to respond to all inquiries.