A Guide to Hip-Hop Genres and Styles
Monday June 22, 2009
Hip-hop music is a celebration of diversity. No two MCs sound alike, because their musical attributes are products of different environments and attitudes. Here's an annotated rundown of hip-hop genres and styles.
Photo © Geffen
Comments
is crack rap a category? if not what would you consider the clipse? or other rappers who talk mostly about dealing, ithink there are enough, the clipse, cassidy, cam’ron, etc. that talk mostly about dealing drugs. I also think that this is one of the best types of rap because it is based on one substance, cocaine, and the fact that all have a common subject makes it easier to judge lyrical ability, any thoughts henry?
^^ I’d rather listen to battle rap my whole life than 5 min of Cocain sh*t.
To be completely honest, I always hate when people try to break down “Different genres” of hip hop. Hip-Hop is and will forever be Hip-Hop. There are different sounds in Hip-Hop but regardless of what it sounds like, it’s still Hip-Hop. Batttle rap isn’t it’s own genre, it’s just two artists throwing lyrical jabs at eachother on wax. Nothing more nothing less. There is no such thing as “East coast Hip-Hop”. Their style can’t simply be blanketed as their own. Maybe if every East coast song, was a boom bap and party starter, since kool-herc or every song had a havoc beat with a storyline up through now, you could blanker their style, but it’s ever changing east coast artists are always dabbling in other sytles. A little reggaeton here, some snap here, some crunk there. No coast has a definitive style. They do have stand out artists that may have ushered in a certain rythm or swing like a NaS, or Cube, or face, but that doesn’t always represent the coast or city as a whole. Same with “conscious rap” there isn’t a category of conscious rap. These dudes are just as all over the place as any other artists. I just think putting artists in a box is a slap in the face and completely media driven. Artists are artists and hip-hop. Let’s just leave it at that. Enuff rambling for the day haha
There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the various sounds and styles in hip-hop, as well their pioneers. The problem arises when we pigeonhole artists entirely. Most MCs fit more than 1 category. That’s not what this article is about. It’s a reference point for hip-hop heads and passive listeners alike.
Say, I’m new to hip-hop and wanted to explore gangsta rap or hyphy, I’ll be glad to know that someone took the time to break down the attributes of each genre and recommend its key players.
@Def: I’m adding some new categories which may answer your question about the Clipse. Stay tuned.
Henry, you should add pop rap for artists such as Flo Rida, Nelly, Diddy, and others who fall into that category. But don’t forget about Underground/Independent Rap as well, such as Lyrics Born, Black Milk, Royce da 5′9″, Masta Ace, Aceyalone, etc. I would like to see reviews for the Underground rap, too!!!! Can anyone agree with me on that?!?!”
^ I agree completely
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