Sub-Genres Of Rap Guidebook

So...you read the title so I’m gonna keep the intro short. Rap being a melting pot of diversity. There are many sub-genres when talking about rap some are more popular then others and some are pretty similar with a few minor differences. Today I’m gonna breakdown some Hip-Hop sub-genres so you can have some background knowledge about them...😌 well without a Further ado...let’s begin

ALTERNATIVE HIP-HOP-

These are the rappers that color outside of the lines think outside of the box. These are the artist that are less concerned with being played on the radio, pop hooks and dance moves. Their main goal is being able to push the envelope and explore unique concepts such as incorporating metal, jazz, and EDM elements to their music. Key artist include The Roots, Lupe Fiasco, and Del the Funke Homosapien.

BATTLE RAP-

A style of Hip-Hop that blends braggadocio with the quest for lyrical superiority. Seasoned battle rappers focus on boastful and level and self-glorifying rhymes about one’s proficiency and level of success. Accompanied by verbal insults thrown at the other person or party. Some artist that can be included in this sub-genre are Eminem, Dizaster, Concieted, and Murda Mook.

CONSCIOUS RAP-

Knowledge of self, personal discovery, and social awareness are some ideas that help power conscious rap. Our so-called conscious rappers devote much of their rhymes decrying social ills and promoting positive ideas. Key artist include Twlib Kweli, Common, and Mos Def.

CRUNK-

Starting as a sub-form of Southern Hip-Hop in the 1990’s. Producer Lil Jon is widely credited with helping spreading the movement. Staying true to the name crunk is a chaotic interpolation of club beats and high energy chants. Key artist include Lil Jon and The Eastside Boys, Lil Scrappy and Trillville.

EAST COAST HIP-HOP-

Originating in the streets of New York. The umbrella of this particular sub-genre covers a dizzying mess of styles- from the street hop that gave us AZ and Nas to the more conscious approach popularized by Public Enemy and Black Star. Key artist include D.M.C, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Jay-Z and Rakim.

GANGSTA RAP-

Revolving around aggressive lyrics and trunk-heavy beats. Despite its acceptance in the early 90’s gangsta rap has come under fire recently for misogyny and violent themes. Dr.Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube being some artist that are under this label.

HYPHY-

A relatively new musical import from the West Coast. Using an uptempo, high-energy and rugged production. Most critics were quick to dismiss it as a fad at first because it’s an offshoot of crunk. Still in the end the Bay Area has still had quite a bit of success. Key artist include Keak da Sneak, E-40, and Mistah F.A.B.

SNAP-

Using the Polyrhythms of snaps and the occasional whistling to create a distinct melody. Though this style of Hip-Hop grew out of Atlanta it quickly spread to other places but ended up dying out as it became popular. Artist to include are Dem Franchise Boys, Yin Yang Twins and D4L.

WEST COAST HIP-HOP-

There seems to be a misconception in Hip-Hop that lyricism is only synonymous with the East Coast. The Left Coast May be home of gangsta rap, but it’s also home to G-funk, lowrider music, freestyles and yes lyrical rap. N.W.A., Too $hort, Ras Kass, and 2pac are West Coast Hip-Hop rappers.

SOUTHERN RAP-

Stylistically, southern rap relies on exuberant production and direct lyrics (typically about the southern lifestyle, trends, attitudes). With a few obscure exceptions, southern hip-hop is more distinct for its sound and slang than for lyricism (although, the new school of emcees from Houston and Atlanta are starting to reverse this trend). In an attempt to capture their stylish culture on wax, some southern MCs consciously incorporate car culture, fashion trends, nightlife, and unique lingo in their songs. Key artists include DJ Screw, T.I., Lil Wayne, UGK, Ludacris, and Scarface.

TRAP-

Trap music is a style of hip-hop that sprung out of the southern rap scene in the 1990s. You’ll know a trap track by its beat—stuttering kick drums, hi-hats, 808s, and oodles of synthesizers. Key artists include Future, Gucci Mane, and Young Thug.

MELODIC RAP-

While not yet officially recognized as a subgenre of hip-hop, melodic rap has been extremely influential over the past several years. Learning from the success of artists such as Drake, many rappers are now utilizing their vocal talents and singing on tracks with bass-heavy, futuristic production. This is the type of hip-hop that has thrived on SoundCloud and is playing a prominent role in the world of independent hip-hop. Rappers who sing are not new to hip-hop, but this subgenre has rapidly evolved to the point where many fans consider it to be their favorite type of music. The progressive aspects of melodic rap are still evolving

HORRORCORE-

Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based on horror-themed and often darkly transgressive lyrical content and imagery. Its origins derived from certain hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap artists, such as the Geto Boys, Ganksta N-I-P (who wrote “Chuckie” for the Geto Boys) which began to incorporate supernatural, occult, or psychological horror themes into their lyrics and, unlike most hardcore and gangsta rap artists, horrorcore artists often push the violent content and imagery in their lyrics beyond the realm of realistic urban violence to the point where the violent lyrics became gruesome, ghoulish, unsettling, or slasher film- or splatter film-esque. While exaggerated violence and the supernatural are common in horrorcore, the genre also frequently presents more realistic yet still disturbing portrayals of mental illness and drug abuse.

EMO RAP-

Originating on the SoundCloud rap scene in the mid-late 2010’s. Being a fusion of characteristics of hip-hop music such as the beats and rapping the lyrics while then taking lyrical themes and vocals commonly found in the emo music. Departing from traditional tones found in modern mainstream rap in favor of more emotional and personal lyric content. With the lyrics focusing on topics suck as depression, loneliness, anxiety, drug abuse, suicide, and heartbreak. Some of the most well known artist being Lil Peep, Lil Uze Vert, Lil Tracy, Juice World, and Trippie redd.

Metal Rap-

Starting as early as the early 1980’s because of sick artist such as Beastie Boys, MC Strecker, Cypress Hill, Esham, and Run D.M.C. A subgenre mixing hip-hop and heavy metal. Usually consisting of guitars riffs, funk metal elements, and rapped vocals. Some artist in this genre include Kid Rock, Jared Gomes, Ice-T, $uicideBoy$, and Scarlxrd.

Scream Rap-

I’m only separating this from the metal rap category because the genres have some major differences. Also having the nickname Crunkcore or screamo rap. Using screamed vocals over hip-hop beats sometimes mixing pop, electronic, and dance music elements. Some recognizable rappers from this genre would include Denzel Curry, 6ix9ine, XXXtentacion, Craig Xen, and Scarlxrd.

Drill Rap-

Drill progressed into the American mainstream in mid-2012 following the success of rappers and producers like Young Chop, Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, SD and Lil Reese, who had many local fans and a significant Internet presence. Media attention and the signing of drill musicians to major labels followed. Artists within the genre have been noted for their style of lyricism and association with crime in Chicago. A style of trap music that originated in the South Side of Chicago in the early 2010s. It is defined by its dark, violent, nihilistic lyrical content and ominous trap-influenced beats.

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OUTRO

I see you made it to the end well i appreciate your time and I hope you enjoyed this read. Hopefully I’ll see you next time but until then peace.