The Birth of Hip-Hop
Since the origin of Hip-Hop and Rap in the Bronx 1970’s, the entire genre has evolved and expanded to many different categories.
Hip-Hop began as a creative form of expression, escaping the difficult realities of black culture and letting loose to just have fun.
DJ’s would throw parties in local areas and mix funky beats, creating an opportunity for lyricists to get on the mic and rap to the beat. This is how it all began.
Hip-Hop vs.Rap: Is there really a difference?
Today, we recognize the difference between Hip-Hop and Rap but the actual difference is sometimes disputable.
Hip-Hop is said to be a way of life, a culture of breakdancing, beat boxing, DJing, and graffiti art.
Rap is what someone does but it is not their way of life.
Some may say the entire Hip-Hop world is almost non-existent because there are so many people popping up in Rap who just do it to achieve financial gain and popularity.
For most rappers today, It is no longer a way of life and more like a means to an end.
Categorizing Music Today is Difficult
But how many types of rap are there?
With online streaming, it makes it easier for artists to put out whatever kind of music they want which makes it more difficult to categorize genres.
But let’s talk about the main categories of rap today!
Conscious Rap
A form of rap that challenges the dominant cultural, political, philosophical, and economic harmony. This is my personal favorite form of rap because of the way it makes me think about the world we live in today, sort of questioning the norms of society.
To be conscious is to be aware, and the conscious rappers of today are aware of the problems in popular culture.
Conscious rappers like J Cole give you knowledge on various topics and speak on things that matter, especially concerning the black culture. Other popular conscious rappers include Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and Tupac Shakur.
Trap Music
One of the most dominant forms of rap today, this style of rap has taken over pop charts. Trap music came from the south in the 1990’s, specifically in Atlanta where a young ambitious rapper named T.I. decided to rap about the drug dealing lifestyle.
A trap is a place where drugs are illegally sold, and so the name “trap music” is fitting. Trap music is known for its aggressive lyrics and 808 beats that rule the club scene and Billboard charts. Popular trap artists include Future, the Migos, and Gucci Mane.
Future actually holds the spot for the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard charts in the R&B/Hip-Hop category.
To get more of an understanding of the culture behind trap music, check out the Trap Museum in Atlanta, GA.
What is melodic rap?
This is a newer form of rap that really began with the artist Drake. Although Drake is a rapper he is also a master of melodies. Think of songs like Hotline Bling where he sort of sings the chorus and makes a sweet tune out of it.
Other artist like Bryson Tiller have taken on this category and I can see this being more popular amongst other artists as time goes on. Rapper Juice Wrld could have even been considered a melodic rapper.
With the auto tune tool, more rappers are experimenting with their “singing” voice and their audiences tend to love it.
Juice Wrld’s “Lucid Dreams” made it to the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and we all know Drake has had major success in this category as well. Melodic rap is new and emerging but certainly promising when it comes to likeness from the listeners.
