hype man

[ hahyp man ]

noun

1. (in rap music) a supporting performer who energizes and engages the audience and punctuates the rapper’s lyrics with shouted interjections:

   The show ran out of steam without a hype man to keep the crowd excited and the rapper on point.

2. an enthusiastic and vocal supporter or promoter of a person, group, or thing; booster:

   His antics from the bench have made this rookie college basketball’s most recognizable hype man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hype man¹

First recorded in 2000–05