Why is it called rap?
Overview
The term “rap” for the musical genre originates from a slang usage in the Black community in the 1960s and 1970s, meaning “talking” or “having a conversation”. This evolved from an earlier meaning of “to strike or utter sharply,” which aligns with the rhythmic and powerful delivery of rap lyrics. While there’s a popular, albeit incorrect, idea that “rap” stands for “rhythm and poetry,” the term’s roots lie in the spoken word tradition and street slang.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Slang Meaning:
In the African American community, “rap” meant a captivating monologue or engaging conversation, often used to inspire and persuade.
Verbal Delivery:
The word “rap” also referenced a quick, sharp verbal display, which matches the way early MCs delivered their lyrics.
Musical Genre:
As rap music developed, the term “rap” was adopted to describe the genre, referencing the way the artist would “rap” (talk or deliver) their lyrics over a beat.
Backronym:
The “rhythm and poetry” idea is a backronym, not the original meaning of the word.
Hip-Hop Connection:
The term “rap” is also used in connection with the larger hip-hop culture, which includes other elements like DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti.
What makes it a rap song?
Originating in New York in the early 1970s, rap is a musical style that features chanted or “rapped” rhythmic speech alongside an insistent, recurring beat pattern. It’s a distinct form of word poetry, with often fast-spoken lyrics and heavy-hitting beats.
What Makes Rap, Rap? | Beat – Vocal Media
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Are rap and hip-hop the same thing?
Overview
No, rap and hip hop are not exactly the same. Hip hop is a broader culture that encompasses various elements, including rap music. Rap is one of those elements, specifically the musical style of vocal delivery characterized by rhyming lyrics and rhythm.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Hip hop as a culture:
Hip hop is a cultural movement with roots in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. It’s more than just music; it also includes elements like breakdancing (B-boying), graffiti art, and DJing.
Rap as a part of hip hop:
Rap music is a key component of hip-hop culture. It’s the musical form where artists recite lyrics, often with rhymes, over a rhythmic beat.
Interchangeable use:
While there’s a distinction, the terms “rap” and “hip hop” are often used interchangeably to refer to the music genre. However, it’s important to remember the broader cultural context.
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Rap music is a vocal style in which artists deliver lyrics rhythmically and in rhyme, typically over a musical beat or instrumental track. It’s often associated with hip-hop culture but can exist independently. Key elements include rhyme, rhythm, and delivery, which are sometimes referred to as “flow.”
Here’s a more detailed look:
Rhythmic Speech:
Rap emphasizes the rhythm and timing of the spoken lyrics, often in a way that feels musical, even without traditional melodies.Rhyme and Verses:
Rappers use rhyme schemes and verse structures to organize their lyrics and create a poetic flow.Musical Accompaniment:
Rap is typically performed over a backing track or beat, which can be a mix of sampled sounds, synthesized beats, or other instrumental elements.Hip-Hop Culture:
While rap is a core element of hip-hop, the two are not always synonymous. You can find rap in various musical genres, and hip-hop culture encompasses other elements like DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti.Diversity and Subgenres:
Rap music is incredibly diverse, with subgenres like gangsta rap, conscious rap, and trap rap each offering distinct styles and lyrical content.
Spoken Word Connection:
Rap shares similarities with spoken-word poetry, but it often incorporates a musical accompaniment and has a more rhythmic delivery, as it often uses a rhythmic speech that is typically off-time to the music.
Hip-hop was still the most listened-to genre of music in 2023, it had a 26.8 percent share of the U.S. music market, down from its 2020 peak of 28.2 percent 2020, according to research by Luminate, and its growth has slowed down drastically since its surge in the 2010s.
According to Chartmetric’s Year In Music 2023 report, hip-hop/rap artists were the biggest presence in music in 2023 in terms of release volume. A similar pattern followed for tracks, whose most dominant genre was hip-hop/rap, both all-time and in 2023 alone.
Hip-hop was still the most listened-to genre of music in 2023, it had a 26.8 percent share of the U.S. music market, down from its 2020 peak of 28.2 percent 2020, according to research by Luminate, and its growth has slowed down drastically since its surge in the 2010s.
“Hip-hop has expanded from the urban, inner-city neighborhoods to the once forbidden mainstream society. It has been noted by many scholars that over 70% of hip-hop’s consumers (music purchasers) are suburban, middle-class Whites (Kitwana, 2005; Morgan, J., 2002; Yousman, 2003).”
Who consumes rap the most?
While the hip-hop music industry is predominantly Black, studies consistently show that over 70% of its consumers are White.
Why do some people say that “Rap is not a ‘real’ music”?
The claim that “rap is not real music” often stems from a few misconceptions and biases regarding the genre. Here are some common reasons behind this perspective:
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Musical Structure: Some critics argue that rap lacks traditional musical elements such as melody and harmony, focusing instead on rhythm and spoken word. This can lead them to view it as less “musical” compared to genres that emphasize singing and instrumental complexity.
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Cultural Bias: Rap music emerged from specific cultural and social contexts, particularly in African American communities. Some individuals from different backgrounds may not fully understand or appreciate these cultural influences, leading to a dismissive attitude.
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Commercialization: The commercialization of rap, particularly in mainstream media, has led some to perceive it as formulaic or inauthentic. Critics may believe that some artists prioritize commercial success over artistic expression.
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Generational Divide: Older generations may have a preference for genres like rock, jazz, or classical music, which can lead to a dismissive attitude towards newer forms like rap. This generational divide often results in a lack of appreciation for the evolution of music styles.
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Misunderstanding of Lyricism: Rap is heavily reliant on lyrics, and some people may not recognize the skill involved in crafting intricate rhymes and storytelling. Those who don’t appreciate the complexity of rap lyrics might undervalue the genre.
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Stereotypes and Stigmas: Negative stereotypes associated with rap culture, such as violence or misogyny, can contribute to the perception that rap is not a legitimate form of art.
