Abstracthiphop is a musical genre that draws on elements of RnB and trip hop. Among this group of artists are Young Fathers, who blend the delirious trip hop of Massive Attack with the alternative rap production of Shabazz Palaces and Metronomy into something wholly unique.
The ethos of hip hop is a complex and resilient one. It embodies five core doctrines that include properties of flow, layering, and rupture; a principle of productive consumption; the production of excessive publicity or promotion–what hip-hop affiliates refer to as “hype”; individual and communal entrepreneurship; and a committed politics of action and loyalty.
Definition
Abstract hip hop is a genre of music that incorporates elements of jazz, funk, soul and electronic music. It is characterized by unconventional production techniques, unusual beats, and abstract lyrical content.
It is also sometimes referred to as experimental hip hop. It is a sub-genre of hip hop that is generally considered to be avant-garde and more progressive than the mainstream hip hop music that is popular in most countries.
Usually made from samples of a wide range of sounds, the beats are often created with drum samples from other songs. These beats are then used by the rappers to create a musical structure.
The beats are typically accompanied by a rapper who is spitting rhythmic lyrics using techniques such as assonance and alliteration. These artists may also incorporate spoken word and poetry into their raps.
A defining characteristic of abstract hip hop is the use of a wide variety of sampled sounds, such as acoustic instruments, noises, or synthesized samples. These can be found in different styles, and are used to add a sense of depth and complexity to the songs.
For example, the jazz-influenced rap style of A Tribe Called Quest is a classic of this genre. Their albums feature a diverse array of samples and sound design that makes for a very immersive listening experience.
Another great example of this style is from Madlib. He reimagined his goofy, cartoonish alter-ego Lord Quas into an expansive series of concept records. The result is a collection of very challenging tracks, with Quas’s wacky voice providing a confessional honesty that Madlib couldn’t achieve in his more traditional rap persona.
While it can be difficult to define a certain genre of music, it is important to keep in mind that there are many different subgenres. This can be confusing and intimidating, as each subgenre is different in terms of lyrical content, production techniques, and style. To help guide you through this unfamiliar genre, we have compiled a list of some of the best abstract hip hop albums out there. Each of these artists is unique, but they all share a common ethos that combines creativity and experimentation to create some of the most interesting and compelling music of the last two decades.
Origins
Abstract hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music that is considered experimental and avant-garde. It often incorporates elements of jazz, funk, soul, and electronic music, and also features spoken word or poetry.
Its origins can be traced to the 1970s in the Bronx, New York City, and is believed to have been derived from a multicultural exchange between Black, Latinx, and Caribbean American youth at block parties. DJs began isolating percussion breaks from funk, soul, and R&B records, and performing them over vocals. These songs grew in popularity and were later adopted by street gangs as a form of competition, and one-upmanship.
MCs, or emcees, spoke over the rap songs, and the lyrics became more complex and lyrical. They could be humorous (De La Soul’s “Jenifa Taught Me”), poignant (Kanye West’s “Through the Wire”), jubilant (“Outkast”), or even soulful and self-aware at the same time (Childish Gambino’s “This Is America”).
The lyrics of hip hop songs can be a combination of assonance, alliteration, and rhyme, and are accompanied by a recognizable beat, usually created from a sample of the percussion break in another song. This beat can be created by a producer or performed by a DJ. Sometimes it is a solo instrumental, or the song may include other sounds that are sampled, synthesized, or played on instruments.
In the late 1990s, hip hop culture began to spread to Greater China, where rappers in Hong Kong and Taiwan gained prominence with their creative beats, off-kilter flow, and vulgar depictions of life for disaffected middle class youth. The Taiwanese MC Hot Dog became known for his creativity and off-kilter flow, which influenced hip hop artists in mainland China, including the collective Lazy Motherfucker.
Hip hop has also been adapted to other cultures, especially in Africa. During the 1990s, South Africa began to produce hip hop fusions with mbalax, filmi, and other African styles, while Tanzanian Bongo Flava crews developed their own style.
Styles
Abstract hip hop is a sub-genre of hip-hop that includes songs with more intellectual lyrics and complex rhyme structures. It draws inspiration from poetry, jazz, psychology, and other forms of academic thought, and often expands a listener’s mind far beyond the confines of music.
There are several distinct sub-styles of abstract hip hop. Some of them are characterized by airy-sounding abstract sounds and atmospheric tones with more introspective melodies, while others focus on the use of drum samples from different genres of music.
Another renowned style is Cloud Rap, which became popular in the 2010s following more airy-sounding records from rapper Lil B. The pioneers of this style include producer Clams Casino, Oakland duo Main Attrakionz, and A$AP Rocky.
Hyphy is a West Coast rap style that originated in the early 90s and was heavily influenced by G-Funk. This style is known for its laid-back, sunny vibe and is credited to Too $hort and E-40.
This style is a cross between boom-bap and afrobeats, which is reflected in its lyrics and production styles. Although it was never as successful as its more commercially successful counterparts, it is still considered a great style of hip-hop.
The lyrics of TPAB are more political/social conscious and they are more abstract than the typical straightfoward rap. They use metaphors and double meanings but they are very clear about the message they want to get across.
Despite being one of the most popular and well-known subgenres of hip-hop, abstract hip-hop isn’t always well received by its audience. It can sound too cerebral and too unorthodox at first, but with time and dedication, it can grow to be a deeply rewarding experience.
It is also possible to hear a fusion of abstract and traditional hip-hop in artists like E-40, who incorporates elements from funk and reggae in his songs. He also uses a lot of electronic drum beats and synths in his music, making it very unique to this genre.
Another subgenre of abstract hip hop is gangsta rap, which is dark and aggressive. Its roots are in Memphis and Houston, and it uses gothic imagery and occult themes. Artists such as Geto Boys, Bushwick Bill, Three 6 Mafia, and Gravediggaz have all contributed to this style.
Influences
Abstract hip hop is a style of rap that incorporates elements from other genres. It is considered a subgenre of rap, and it has been popular for the past few years. Many artists have started to produce this kind of music.
The influence of other styles on the development of abstract rap can be measured in terms of subject matter, principles, and aesthetic approach. Some of these influences include R&B, funk, soul, jazz and rock and roll performers and musicians.
Another important source of inspiration for the creation of abstract rap is the art form itself. Its richness of African American and diasporic cultures, the mix of vocal techniques and storytelling traditions from those cultures, and the fluidity and ease with which early rap artists moved among musical styles all contributed to the birth of hip hop as we know it today.
While abstract hip hop may seem to be a new style, it actually dates back to the 1960s. Early DJs and MCs gathered in the Bronx, New York, to play and create a new style of music that combined rhythms, vocal techniques and storytelling traditions from African American and diasporic cultures.
As the 1970s progressed, hip hop artists embraced more complex themes in their lyricism and production. They explored issues ranging from racial inequity and social justice to self-affirmation and personal identity. They used a variety of musical styles including jazz and funk, acoustic and electronic instruments, and spoken word.
In the 1970s, there was also a strong political dimension to hip hop. The Civil Rights Movement and the emergence of Black power were significant contributors to the development of hip hop.
It has also been influenced by films and television series. In the 1980s, many films and TV series featured hip hop-themed content. These include Power, In The Heights, Kids, 8Mile, Street Dance, and Straight Outta Compton.
During this period, it was also a popular style of rap to use autotune in their music. This helped to make the music more recognizable and appealing.
Abstract rap is a type of rap that uses a lot of sounds and samples to create an overall sound. It is often a fusion of various genres of music, such as hip-hop, pop, and soul. It is also a style that is considered to be more artistic and has a higher level of quality than traditional rap music.
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