Abstract hip hop is a genre of hip hop that deviates from the norms of rhyme and rhythm both lyrically and sonically. It has been a fixture of the underground hip hop scene since the early 2000s.

It’s a style that eschews the more conventional hip hop language and beats, preferring to use extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice. It also focuses on more abstract ideas such as existentialism or social institutions rather than braggadocio.

Definition

Abstract hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop that defies many of the conventions of the genre. It is characterized by more extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice than conventional hip hop lyrics, as well as a lyrical style that usually focuses on existentialism or social institutions rather than everyday problems or braggadocio.

This genre of rap has been subject to censorship more than any other popular music in recent years, with many songs being edited to remove offensive or controversial language. This is particularly the case with Public Enemy and other rappers who have a reputation for using profanity.

While this censorship is not necessarily due to the lyrics of abstract hip hop artists, it does create some difficulties when broadcasting their work. This is especially the case with songs from progressive hip hop artists who focus on sociological definitions of inequalities and paving a course for action.

As a result, they may not receive as much recognition or as big a fan base as their more mainstream counterparts. This is why it can be easy for people to dismiss abstract hip hop as just a craze.

It is important to remember that while the definition of abstract hip hop is based on its lyrical content, it can also include a wide range of other elements including beats, instrumentals and even production styles. This makes it an interesting and complex subgenre that deserves more attention than it currently receives.

The most important factor when it comes to defining this genre is authenticity. Authenticity can mean different things to different audiences and rappers, and is often impacted by many factors, such as race and sex. Regardless, authenticity is a coveted quality in the hip hop community.

Origins

Abstracthiphop is a sub-genre of hip hop music that is influenced by experimental and avant-garde styles. It often features unconventional production techniques, abstract lyrical content, and sample-based rhythms.

Abstract hip hop first emerged in the 1970s, during block parties in New York City. DJs began isolating percussion breaks from funk and disco songs, and performers (known as MCs) started speaking between the beats. MCs began giving exhortations to dance, greetings, jokes and anecdotes, which helped keep the audience interested in the music.

Many of the early rhythms and samples were based on funk music, although some were also sampled from other genres, such as soul. Some DJs used a variety of different rhythms to create a track, and some produced their own tracks from scratch.

Throughout the 1980s, rap music started to diversify and develop into a more complex form. In the 1990s, it spread throughout Europe and Africa, becoming a popular music genre.

In Europe, it became popular among young people who wanted to express themselves through music. In African countries, it became popular in the late 1980s, with many musicians combining hip hop with other styles, including mbalax and bongo flava.

The music was a way for African youth to express themselves in a language that was understood by their peers, and a way to demonstrate their own freedom. It also gave them the chance to live a life that was not defined by their class, social status or gender.

Hip hop was a means of survival for these people, who had to struggle with their lives. It was a way to get out of poverty, exercise their citizenship rights and express their opinions loudly without fear.

Influences

Abstract hip hop is a sub-genre of rap that draws from many different genres, such as jazz, soul, alternative rock, funk and punk. It also incorporates elements of spoken word and poetry, allowing artists to express themselves in unconventional ways.

The genre first formed in New York City in the 1970s. It began as a collaboration among groups of Black, Latin American and Caribbean youth during block parties, where DJs played soul and funk music and freestyle rap. The genre soon began to develop its own unique style, incorporating elements such as longer percussive breaks, scratching, turntable techniques and improvised vocals. The early pioneers of hip hop, including DJ Kool Herc, Grand Wizzard Theodore, and Grandmaster Flash, were all of Caribbean origin.

These artists are the precursors of modern hip hop, as it evolved from a largely underground genre to an increasingly popular form of music in the 1980s and 1990s. In this period, hip hop influenced many other genres of music, including R&B (e.g. R&B, Akon, TLC, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce), neo soul (e.g. Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu), funk (e.g. Biggie Smalls, The Fugees), and electronic music (e.g. Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre).

While a lot of these influences are still present in abstract hip hop today, they have been expanded upon by artists who prefer to use more complicated rhyme structures and more complex beats. Often, these lyrical styles can feel inaccessible at first, but they can be profound and world-changing once delved into further.

Although some MCs prefer to merely rely on gangsta-style braggadocio and taunting, others prefer to speak about social issues with more complexity and meaning. This can make abstract hip hop a challenging style to understand, but it is one that has become an important part of the hip hop genre. If you are interested in listening to abstract hip hop, but aren’t sure where to start, check out the following list of top abstract hip hop bands and listen to their work.

Styles

Abstract hip hop, also known as experimental hip hop or avant-garde hip hop, is a sub-genre of hip hop that incorporates elements of jazz, funk, soul and electronic music. It often features unconventional production techniques and abstract lyrical content.

The genre has developed many different styles over the years. Some of these include jazz rap, which uses samples of jazz songs. The genre has been around for over 30 years and is still popular today, especially with younger generations.

Another style of abstract hip hop is lyrical rap, which can be much more complex and surreal than conventional rap. Artists such as Earl, Lupe, Billy Woods, El-P and MF Doom have been known to use this style to communicate their political/social/introperspective conscious message.

One of the most original and distinct styles of abstract hip hop is break dancing, which involves acrobatic vigour movements as well as upright movements. It is also associated with a certain type of clothing, such as baggy pants or sweatsuits, baseball caps that are worn sideways or backwards and sneakers.

Some hip hop artists choose to add extra layered vocals to their songs to create a textured performance that generates feelings of excitement and pleasure. Such embellishments are called adlibs.

Regardless of the adlibs’ form, their function is to enhance a song’s polyrhythmic flow and heighten its energy. It is a way to express a sense of dynamism that reflects the rhythmic energy of urban environments wherein music and dance thrive.

Abstract hip hop is an exciting and addicting genre that combats mainstream hip hop, so it is important to keep up with the latest and greatest releases. A great place to start is with A Journey Into Abstract Hip Hop, which is now available on double red vinyl from Beatsqueeze Records.

Albums

Abstract hip hop is a form of rap that eschews many of the traditional elements that are typically found in mainstream rap. Instead of focusing on lyrical topics or braggadocio, artists in this genre often use extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice to convey their ideas.

Although abstract hip hop can be intimidating to listeners, it’s often an addictive and captivating genre. If you’re interested in this style of rap, here are some great albums that will help get you started.

This list includes albums from artists who have made a significant impact on the abstract hip hop scene. Each artist is listed below with a brief description of their music and how to find their album on Spotify.

Aesop Rock is a master of this genre, but there are plenty of other MCs who have created their own unique styles of abstract hip hop. A few to look out for include Mr Lif, Def Jux, Company Flow, and Kool Keith.

Moor Mother’s Jazz Codes is one of the most innovative and well-crafted records of the year. The conceptual album features a collection of underground rappers like AKAI SOLO and Fatboi Sharif, and it’s an unstoppable blaze of creativity.

Gangsta Gibbs is one of the most respected and recognizable MCs of his generation, with an extensive catalog of songs that touch on personal struggles and social issues. His latest album $oul $old $eparately features a number of standout tracks that showcase his impressive showcasing skills.

Wiki’s most recent project is a deep dive into his coming-of-age story as an aspiring New York City rapper. The project is a definite highlight of his career, with lyrical prowess, unrelenting authenticity and an excellent production team all working together to help this album stand out from the rest.