A Guide to Hip-Hop Genres and Styles

The alternative hip-hop movement encompasses MCs who constantly color outside the lines. These artists are less concerned with pop hooks and dance moves. Their main objective is to push the envelope and explore unique concepts.

Battle rap is a style of hip-hop music that blends braggadocio with the quest for lyrical superiority. Seasoned battle rappers focus on boastful lines and self-glorifying rhymes about one's proficiency or level of success, accompanied by verbal insults hurled at the other party directly or subliminally.

Conscious rap is propelled by the idea that radical social change comes through knowledge of self and personal discovery. So-called conscious rappers devote much of their rhymes decrying societal ailments and promoting positive ideas. Conscious rap is a contentious category, and not all rappers like to be classified as such.

Crunk originated in the 1990s as a sub-genre of southern rap. Producer Lil Jon is usually credited with spearheading the hip-hop form. True to its name, crunk utilizes a chaotic interpolation of club-oriented beats and a high-energy chorus.

East coast hip-hop originated in the streets of New York. The umbrella of this particular sub-genre covers a wide range of rap styles, from the street hop that gave yield to AZ and Nas, to the conscious approach popularized by Public Enemy and Black Star.

Gangsta rap revolves around aggressive lyrics and trunk-heavy beats. Despite its huge acceptance in the early 90s, gangsta rap has been condemned for its violent themes.

Hyphy, a relatively new musical import from the west coast, incorporates an uptempo high energy hip-hop style. Hyphy is characterized by witty lyrics and rugged production. Critics were quick to dismiss hyphy as a fad, mainly because it's an offshoot of crunk. Regardless, the Bay Area has enjoyed a measurable amount of success with their brainchild.

The slick polyrhythms of snap music is typically accompanied by finger snaps (hence the name) and occasional whistling to create a distinct melody. This style of hip-hop originated from Atlanta, but has made its way across different cities in the United States.

Stylistically, southern rap relies on exuberant production and straightforward lyrics. With a few exceptions, southern hip-hop is more distinct for its sound and slang than for lyrical content. In an attempt to capture their stylish lifestyles on wax, some southern MCs consciously incorporate car culture, fashion trends, nightlife, and unique lingo in their songs.

There's a generational misconception in hip-hop that lyricism can only be found in the East Coast. The west coast is home of gangsta rap, but it's also the home to g-funk, lowrider music, freestyles, and yes, lyrical hip-hop. The Left Coast emcees have made significant contributions in their own right.