Artists & Styles
By Henry Adaso, About.com Guide to Rap / Hip-Hop
Want to explore different sounds and styles of hip-hop? Get started with these artists.
East Coast Hip-Hop
What would hip-hop be without the beasts from the east who helped shape its formative years? Though east coast hip-hop has undergone a series of musical surgeries, it managed to retain one key element: lyrical dexterity.
Midwest Hip-Hop
Gone are the days when hip-hop was only synonymous with the east and the west, thanks to successful midwest artists like Eminem and Common.
Southern Rap
Stylistically, southern rap relies on exuberant production and straightforward lyrics. The dirty south form of hip-hop is more distinct for its sound and slang than for its lyrical content.
Conscious Rap
Conscious rappers typically focus on creating awareness and imparting knowledge.
Gangsta Rap
Gangsta rap, a heavily chastised genre, often reflects the violent lifestyles of inner-city youth.
Battle Rap
Artists often use rap battles as a means to sharpen their lyrical swords.
