Abstracthiphop, or abstract hip hop music, is a sub-genre of hip hop that often gets overlooked. While it can be intimidating to hear such a different lyrical style, it’s also an addicting and intriguing genre.
Abstracthiphop embodies a distinct yet pervasive ethos of the black subaltern embraced within socially marginalized youth communities throughout the world. The ethos is rooted in the expressive performance traditions of earlier black diasporic traditions as observed by Zora Neale Hurston and Amiri Baraka.
Definition
Abstract hip hop is a genre of rap that incorporates experimental and avant-garde sounds in the production of its songs. It is often seen as a more progressive form of hip hop, and it is popular amongst underground hip hop artists.
In terms of lyrical content, abstract hip hop uses much more extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice than typical hip hop. Rather than using the traditional conventions of rhyme and rhythm, most abstract artists tend to focus on ideas that are more intangible, such as existentialism or social institutions.
It is also the genre that incorporates the newest trends in music technology such as sampled drum loops, synthesizers and effects. As a result, it has been called the most innovative of all hip-hop subgenres, and is arguably more complex than its predecessors.
Several sub-genres of abstract hip-hop have sprung up in recent years, many of which are still thriving today. One such sub-genre is ‘cloud rap’, which debuted in 2010 with the release of Lil B’s ‘Based God’ and has since gained popularity with rappers such as A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, and Metro Boomin.
This sub-genre features some of the most elaborately produced rap tracks of all time, and it’s certainly the most esoteric of all hip-hop styles. It can be quite intimidating to jump on the abstract hip-hop bandwagon, but it’s an enjoyable and addicting experience once you get past the initial shock of hearing an entirely new genre.
A good starting point for exploring the more experimental side of hip-hop is to listen to some of the ‘old school’ era’s most famous artists, such as Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaata. In fact, many modern hip-hop artists are taking their cue from this era’s pioneers as they look to create the next generation of cult classics.
Other key innovations that are often used to create the best abstract rap tracks include exaggerated declamation, pitch-based rhythmic layers and sung interjection. Pitch-based rhythmic layers are particularly impressive, as they are able to manipulate a rapper’s vocal pitch at specific points in their flow to create a separate rhythmic layer that is woven in with the composite rhythm of their flow.
Origins
Abstract hip hop is a genre of music that deviates from many of the conventions of traditional hip hop. It combines experimental production techniques with a more abstract lyrical style, typically avoiding the more upfront, visceral language and braggadocio often associated with hip hop.
It is influenced by jazz, funk, soul and electronic music. It also draws inspiration from spoken word and poetry, and is often characterized by its use of unconventional beats. It is a prominent part of the underground hip hop scene and has been gaining popularity in recent years.
The genre owes its origins to the 1970s, in New York City’s Bronx. It began at block parties, where DJs played funk, R&B and disco music. The performers at these parties started to speak over the music, and this soon became known as rapping. It was initially used by Jamaican DJs such as Kool Herc, and spread through the borough.
Eventually, it became widely popular in America, especially in the 1990s. The lyrics were often controversial, promoting violence, drug use and misogyny. Its popularity spawned a number of subgenres, including trap, grime, gangsta rap and rap rock (or nu metal).
Although hip hop has been adapted by different cultures around the world, it is most widely associated with African American music. It was initially developed by African American youth during the 1960s and 1970s, who had been exposed to jazz, funk, rap and other forms of entertainment.
While some early MCs, such as Busy Bee and Double Trouble, made little commercial success, the genre has grown to include a number of prominent artists. Some of these artists, such as K’naan and Buck 65, have achieved considerable international fame.
Another important aspect of hip hop culture is its slang. This includes a variety of rhyming patterns, which are often derived from English slang. It is also known for its distinctive use of slang terms such as dis, homie and what the dilly, yo.
These slang terms are a way for artists to express their opinions and emotions, without fear of being judged or losing their reputation. They are not necessarily understood by non-hip hop fans, but have become part of the language of urban youth worldwide.
Styles
Abstract hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music that deviates from the norm both lyrically and sonically. It incorporates elements of jazz, funk, soul, and electronic music as well as spoken word and poetry. It is often associated with the underground hip hop scene, and is a departure from the more mainstream styles of hip hop.
Abstract rap differs from conventional hip hop lyricism in that it uses extensive metaphors and symbolic word choice. It also usually eschews the more visceral language of everyday problems or braggadocio.
The subgenre also tends to rely on unconventional beats and production styles. In particular, artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and Karriem Riggins use complex rhyme schemes and off-kilter drum production styles.
Another popular style of hip-hop is conscious hip-hop, which was born in response to police brutality against African-Americans in the 1990s. It combines the boom-bap features of traditional hip-hop with political content that speaks against the injustices and mistreatment of black communities. It is considered to be the most popular genre of hip-hop music today.
There are many different sub-genres of hip-hop. Some of the most popular are G-Funk, gangsta rap, and emo rap.
G-Funk is a type of hip-hop that was created in the 1990s by Dr. Dre, who combined funk guitar samples with electronic drum grooves to create this unique hip-hop style. Other artists that were influenced by this style include Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.
Gangsta rap is another subgenre of hip-hop that was born in the 1990s. It consists of a violent lyrical content that refers to personal assets, criminal activities, and violence. It was a response to the riots and police brutality in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, and it has since gained popularity worldwide.
Similarly to gangsta rap, Horrorcore is a dark rap subgenre that is characterized by gothic metaphors, theatrical horror, and occult themes. It is thought to have southern roots from Memphis and Houston, and it is an inspiration for trap music.
Emo rap is a modern hip-hop style that is characterized by nihilistic lyrics and melancholy melodies. The nihilistic themes are combined with neo-R&B beats and melodic instrument samples. Artists such as Juice Wrld, Lil Peep, and Lil Uzi Vert are some of the most famous artists in this genre.
Influences
Abstract hip hop eschews most of the conventions associated with conventional hip hop. It often fuses elements of jazz, funk, soul, and electronic music with spoken word or poetry.
It also features unconventional production techniques and a surrealistic lyrical content. It’s a growing genre that has become a fixture of the underground hip hop scene since the early 2000s.
This style of hip hop is most prevalent in the United States. Artists like Chance The Rapper and Lil Uzi Vert are gaining millions of plays on Soundcloud.
While this type of music can be intimidating to new listeners, it’s not hard to pick up on if you’re willing to listen closely. It’s just a different way of hearing hip hop that can be a lot of fun to hear and experience.
The roots of Abstract hip hop can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s, when DJs started to improvise their own musical styles. Their improvisations were inspired by African American and diasporic traditions of storytelling. The richness of these traditions, combined with the fluidity of DJs’ movements among styles, ushered in a new form of expression for young people in urban centers.
Some of these artists were even devoted students of history. They absorbed the tactics and strategies of historical leaders–from the French emperor Napoleon to the South African chieftain and military commander Shaka Zulu–to help them understand the power of their art as a tool for breaking down barriers that divided people.
In the modern age, a growing number of artists are using this style to explore different forms of consciousness and consciously choose their own path in life. This movement has branched out into different forms, including Conscious Hip Hop, which blends the genre with other styles to create a more conscious version of hip hop.
Another sub-genre of Abstract Hip Hop is glam rap, which combines the genre with alternative rock and pop punk. This is a genre that’s becoming more popular and has even been recognized by the Grammy Awards.
This style of hip hop is also very popular with young teen rappers, especially in the United States. It’s a genre that incorporates the use of extreme digital voice modification and aggressive electronic instruments to create a more unique style than traditional rap. In addition, it also focuses on lyricism and production instead of beats.
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