The Best Of Rap Music: A Guide
Rap is an art form that has come a long way since its inception. Once deemed violent and juvenile it has become mainstream with artists such as Tupac and Biggie making it a reputable music genre. MCing and rapping originated as part of the DJ dance scene in 1979 with the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” It is most often delivered over beats, either recorded or provided live, by a DJ.
History
Rap is a form of rhythmic poetry and music that is often associated with hip hop, a cultural movement that emerged in the 1970s. Hip hop has given rise to artistic styles like graffiti, DJing, MCing and break dancing. Hip hop culture has also influenced other aspects of popular culture, such as clothing brands, movies, sports and dance.
MCs began their careers as masters of ceremonies for DJ dance events, introducing the DJ and pumping up the crowd with their energy and enthusiasm. The MC role developed into longer sessions of spoken, rhythmic wordplay and rhyming, eventually giving birth to rapping.
The رپ genre’s evolution over time has given way to many subgenres, including gangsta rap and G-funk. Modern rap artists draw inspiration from different influences, such as the braggadocious style of gangsta rap and the poetic lyricism of classic conscious rappers like Public Enemy and N.W.A. Rap has been credited with changing the modern vernacular and has helped to empower underprivileged communities and question social norms.
Characteristics
Rap is often defined by its flow, the way MCs blend rhyme and rhythm to communicate meaning. This can be fluid and soothing to convey romance, or staccato and harsh to signify conflict. Rapping is almost always performed over a beat, which is often provided by a DJ or turntable player but can be performed a cappella as well.
The genre’s origins can be traced to New York City block parties where MCs used percussive breaks from soul, funk and disco songs to rhyme over the beat and hype up the crowd. The Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 hit, “Rapper’s Delight” established the template that spawned hip hop as a compelling new American soundtrack.
Despite the reputation for being tough and gritty, many rappers are at heart enormous language dorks who love to tell stories through rhyme, slang and extended metaphors. They also tend to create personae that can be cool and aloof or rough and dangerous, often creating characters modeled on themselves or other famous people.
Styles
Rappers deliver rhythmically spoken lyrics over prerecorded instrumental tracks. It is very rare for rappers to perform a cappella.[1] The genre has branched off into numerous subgenres. The most familiar are gangsta and mumble, but the list of rap styles is endless.
Early rap artists like DJ Kool Herc performed at block parties, delivering straightforward rhymes over loops taken from disco records. This style became known as old-school hip hop and helped pave the way for later innovations in the genre.
The most popular rap artist in the world, Drake, is known for his catchy hooks and playful chants. He blends a Midwest accent with pop-infused production to create his unique sound.
Conscious hip hop (or woke rap) is a broad term that can include any type of socially conscious music. It is a style that is rooted in activism and often used to spread awareness on a variety of issues. It’s a genre that has been around for decades and includes some of the most thought-provoking rappers in history.
Influences
Rap is part of hip hop, a broader cultural movement that includes other elements like graffiti art and breakdancing. But it’s best known for its lyrical dexterity and wordplay. Some rappers, like Kendrick Lamar, deliver thought-provoking messages that highlight societal problems. Other artists focus on braggadocios and energetic riffs.
MCs are largely self-taught and use song lyrics for inspiration. As such, they have wide-ranging influences. Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and Nikki Giovanni are literary poets who inspired the phrasing of many rap artists’ rhymes. Rappers also borrow from the call-and-response patterns of griots, jazz poetry, and the jive talk of black-appeal radio DJs.
Developing an MC flow is crucial for a rapper’s success. It’s important to be able to move with the beat and stay in rhythm, even while delivering complex rhymes. The way a rapper enunciates is also important. Some rappers use a more melodic delivery to express love, while others sound harsh and strung-out to convey anger or conflict.
What’s Next?
Rappers use language to tell their stories. Even the toughest-seeming MCs are at heart “enormous language dorks,” says critic Sam Anderson. They use words to convey their worldviews and experiences, shattering old forms of self-expression and birthing a new genre. Although hip hop has been accused of promoting drug abuse and immoral behavior, it is still possible to appreciate the music as art.
