Hip-Hop: The Most Listened To Genre And Its Subgenres
Hip-hop is a cultural movement that emerged in the late 1970s in the Bronx, New York. It encompasses various elements such as rap, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. Hip-hop music is characterized by rhythmic spoken words accompanied by beats, samples, and scratching. It’s a music genre, a lifestyle, a language, and a way of expression. It has influenced many aspects of pop culture, such as fashion, film, television, sports, and politics. Hip-hop has also spawned many subgenres and styles over the years, reflecting its artists’ and fans’ diversity and creativity.
Popularity Around the World
Hip-hop is the most popular music genre in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2021, hip-hop accounted for 27.64% of all music consumption in the U.S., measured by equivalent album units. It also dominated the on-demand streaming market, with 29.39% of all streams coming from this genre.
Hip-hop is also popular in other parts of the world, such as Canada, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea. According to Spotify, hip-hop is the most listened-to genre globally, with over 9 billion streams per month. Some of the most popular hip-hop artists worldwide include Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar.
Subgenres and Styles
Hip-hop has grown and changed over the past five decades. It encompasses a variety of styles and influences, some of which have become mainstream and some of which have remained underground. This article will explore some of the major subgenres and styles of hip-hop music.
Old-school hip-hop
Hip-hop music traces its roots back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, with its earliest form featuring basic drum beats, turntablism, and MCing. Notable pioneers of old-school hip-hop include Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, and Run-DMC.
New-school hip-hop
The second wave of hip-hop music, known as the new-school hip-hop movement, surfaced in the mid-1980s and continued until the early 1990s. It brought forth a diverse and intricate collection of beats, lyrical styles, and influences from different musical genres, such as jazz, rock, and funk. The trailblazers of this genre include LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and N.W.A.
Golden age hip-hop
The late 1980s to early 1990s marked the golden age of hip-hop, a time when artistic quality and innovation flourished in the genre. This era showcased a range of sounds, themes, and techniques from various regions and subcultures, featuring legends such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Gangsta rap
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, a subgenre of hip-hop emerged, which dealt with themes like crime, violence, drugs, and social issues. This form of music was heavily influenced by the everyday struggles of people living in inner-city neighborhoods and often attracted controversy and criticism. Gangsta rap was pioneered by artists such as Ice-T, N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur.
Alternative hip-hop
Alternative hip-hop is a subgenre that originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It aimed to challenge the traditional norms and conventions of mainstream hip-hop music by integrating elements from other genres like rock, jazz, soul, and folk. Some of the pioneers of this genre are De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and Outkast.
East Coast hip-hop
A regional style of hip-hop that originated in New York City and its surrounding areas. It is characterized by complex lyrics, storytelling skills, and sample-based production. Some of the icons of East Coast hip-hop include Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, and Jay-Z.
West Coast hip-hop
A regional style of hip-hop that originated in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. It is characterized by funky beats, synthesizers and gangsta rap themes. Some of the icons of West Coast hip-hop include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and The Game.
Southern hip-hop
A regional style of hip-hop that originated in the Southern states of the U.S., such as Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida. It is characterized by slow and heavy beats, chopped and screwed vocals, crunk energy and dirty south slang. Some of the icons of Southern hip-hop include Outkast, UGK, Scarface, Lil Wayne and T.I.
Midwest hip-hop
A regional style of hip-hop originated in the Midwestern states of the U.S., such as Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. It is characterized by fast and complex flows, lyrical dexterity, and diverse influences from other genres such as soul, rock, and techno. Some of the icons of Midwest hip-hop include Eminem, Kanye West, Common, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Tech N9ne.
Trap
A subgenre of hip-hop that emerged in the early 2000s in the Southern U.S., especially in Atlanta. It is characterized by hard-hitting drums, 808 bass, hi-hat rolls, and lyrics about drug dealing, crime and street life. Some of the pioneers of trap include T.I., Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy and Three 6 Mafia.
Conscious hip-hop
A subgenre of hip-hop that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s that focused on themes such as social justice, political awareness, spirituality and Afrocentrism. It was influenced by the civil rights movement, black nationalism and the teachings of Islam. Some of the innovators of conscious hip-hop include Public Enemy, KRS-One, Mos Def and Talib Kweli.
Mumble rap
A type of hip-hop that became popular in the mid-2010s is known as mumble rap. This subgenre features slurred or unintelligible vocals, simple beats, and memorable hooks. Some people criticize mumble rap for its lack of meaningful lyrics and technical ability. Notable artists in this category include Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Migos, and Lil Yachty.
These are just some of the main subgenres and styles of hip-hop music. Many more variations and hybrids exist within this rich and diverse genre. Hip-hop is constantly evolving and adapting to new trends and influences, making it one of the most exciting and influential forms of music in the world. Hip-hop has shaped and transformed the music industry and culture for decades. It has given voice to the marginalized, challenged the status quo, and inspired generations of artists and fans. Hip-hop celebrates creativity, innovation, and expression. And it’s here to stay.
