Abstract hip hop is a style of rap music that eschews many of the genre’s conventions. It tends to focus on more abstract ideas such as existentialism or social institutions rather than everyday problems and braggadocio.

In addition to this, it focuses on using extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice to convey the message of its lyrics.

Origins

Hip hop is a genre of music that originated in the South Bronx, New York City in the 1970s. Its roots are traced to a variety of expressions from the neighborhood that were combined into a structured style of lyricism, accompanied by rhythmic beats. It also incorporates DJing / scratching, sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing.

While some scholars argue that the genre’s origins are in a time of economic downfall, it has become an important cultural movement with a diverse range of musicians worldwide, speaking to youths in a language they understand and telling stories they can relate to. According to Aldridge and Stewart (2005), “Hip-hop is a social and artistic phenomenon influencing the young people in today’s world.”

In the South Bronx, hip hop began as a way of protest and expression for youth who were sabotaged by poverty, crime, and a lack of economic opportunity. It was also a way of expressing their ideas, opinions, and deconstructions through musical presentation and structured lyricism.

The genre was first introduced to the public through a group of aspiring rappers in the early 1970s, who were performing at street parties and dance clubs in the area. These rappers created rhythmic beats with looped breaks on two turntables, and paired these with a style of chanting or poetry known as rapping.

With the help of modern technologies such as samplers and synthesizers, these artists started to expand their sound and bring the genre into a whole new world. With this came an entirely unique genre of music, that became popular amongst listeners throughout the world.

Abstract hip hop is an artistic form of hip hop that combines the elements of a wide range of different styles, from jazz to electronica and funk to rap. The music of this genre is both challenging and engrossing, and it can be listened to in multiple ways.

Many artists in this genre have a deep love for the art of jazz and fusion, and they combine that with hip hop beats to create a sound that is uniquely their own. While some of these bands might be a little too far-fetched for the average listener, they still provide an intriguing listening experience that is both dark and challenging.

Styles

Abstract hip hop is a style of alternative hip hop music that differs from traditional gangsta rap largely in the content of its lyrics. The lyrics typically express themes of isolation, social critique, spirituality, and existentialism. The genre has gained popularity in the recent past and is considered to be one of the most experimental sub-genres of hip hop.

Musically, it combines elements of hard funk and soul, electro, and a variety of other styles. Artists often use electronic drum kits and complex sampling.

Although rooted in a specific cultural context, abstract hip hop has spread to many regions and platforms worldwide. The genre is characterized by lyrical content that often reflects a more intellectual outlook than mainstream rap, and is influenced by poetry, jazz, psychology, and other forms of academic thought.

It can be difficult to describe the genre without sounding a bit too much like a white rabbit hole, but with careful digging it can open up to reveal deep truths and world-shifting ideas. This can make abstract hip hop difficult to listen to at first, but it’s also a rewarding experience once you find your way down the rabbit hole.

The genre is most commonly associated with underground artists, though there are some notable abstract hip hop acts that have risen to prominence in the mainstream. Examples of these artists include MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Deltron 3030, Madlib, and Flying Lotus.

In the late 2000s, abstract hip hop started to become more popular than ever before. Artists began to collaborate on levels that had never before been seen, and the technology needed to create a unique sound became readily available.

While this music is widely regarded as an art form, there are some groups that have found it to be a source of controversy, especially in the Runet. This is mainly due to the fact that the style has been criticized for its explicit nature and vulgar language, which is highly objectionable in a Christian culture where most hip hop lyrics promote drug abuse, crime, and gang warfare.

Some artists have been known to use this genre as a means of satirizing the mainstream rap scene, as seen in the case of cLOUDDEAD, who are often credited with pioneering the abstract hip hop style. The group’s psychedelic sound and bizarre lyricism are truly mind-blowing.

Influences

Abstract hip hop is a genre of music that is influenced by many different styles and influences. It often includes elements of jazz, funk, soul, and electronic music, as well as spoken word and poetry. It also often features unconventional production techniques, avant-garde sound design, and unconventional lyrical content.

The roots of hip hop can be traced back to a marginalized subculture in the Bronx and Harlem, New York, among black and Latino youth during the 1970s. This culture of rap music, breakdancing, graffiti art, and DJing was created to address the issues of poverty, violence, and discrimination in urban environments.

Early hip hop DJs and MCs were influenced by a number of musical styles, including R&B, funk, soul, and jazz. The combination of these musical influences, combined with storytelling traditions from African American and diasporic cultures, helped to launch a new form of music that would later become known as hip hop.

This form of music is considered to be one of the most influential forms of modern popular music and has been a prominent part of cultural life for several generations. This style of music is also a major source of inspiration for musicians and artists around the world.

Although a large number of people contributed to the creation of hip hop, there are some key individuals that are considered the founders of this genre. These individuals include Iceberg Slim, Gil Scott-Heron, and Richard Pryor.

These individuals helped to bring a more creative and progressive element into hip hop, as they pushed the genre to include more diverse sonic and visual imagery and themes. In addition, these artists were influential in creating a more independent and anti-establishment agenda for the genre.

In the 1990s, hip hop started to become a worldwide phenomenon. It was popularized by a new generation of rappers, including Run-D.M.C, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Public Enemy. These artists brought new styles to the genre, such as gangsta rap and the use of digital sampling.

The popularity of these styles spread across the globe, influencing other regions in many different ways. This new form of hip hop also introduced a range of musical genres to the mainstream, such as pop, rock, and dance. This was a significant change from the previously dominant form of hip hop, which only focused on rap music.

Representation

Abstract hip hop is a genre of music that uses complex rhyme structures, intricate beats, and an abundance of lyrical abstraction to present a broad range of artistic expression. Although this genre often feels inaccessible at first, it can be extremely rewarding once the listener begins to explore it.

While abstract hip hop has gained popularity globally, it was originally born in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. Its roots lie in poverty and a cultural environment that was characterized by violence and crime. This is what led to the creation of a unique culture that combines rap music, breakdance and graffiti art.

Hip hop was a reactionary outlet from urban hardship, and it was initially a form of social commentary. It helped channel aggression into a creative and healthy outlet, boosting self-esteem and saving lives. It also addressed a variety of social issues such as race, gender inequality, and sexual identity.

In the midst of these problems, Hip hop provided a sense of community and connection. Through music, breakdance, and graffiti art, it provided a platform for people to express themselves, find resolutions to their problems, and build a support network.

Today, abstract hip hop is one of the most popular genres in music, gaining a worldwide audience. It is also considered to be among the most diverse in art, with many different styles and techniques being used.

The most famous representatives of this genre are Madlib, MF DOOM and Company Flow. However, the movement also has a huge amount of underground roots. There are several labels that focus on this style, including Definitive Jux, anticon., Ninja Tune, and Rhymesayers.

While this genre is not as well-known in Runet, it has been a major force in the Russian underground scene since the mid-1990s. In fact, abstract rappers are sometimes referred to as “turnip MF DOOM’a” in Russia, and they’re often the most shamed musicians on the market.

While the genre may be one of the most difficult to understand at first, it can prove to be an exceptionally rewarding experience when explored thoroughly. Whether it’s through poetry, jazz, or other forms of academic thought, abstract hip hop offers a vast array of ideas that can open up the mind.