Classical music in hip hop: Difference between revisions

Other names	Orchestral rap; orchestral hip hop;
Stylistic origins	Hip hop; classical;
Derivative forms	Progressive rap
Other topics
	Jazz rap; memphis rap; progressive rap; progressive rock;

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Revision as of 15:41, 29 August 2023

Hip hop music can incorporate elements of classical music, either using live instruments or with recorded samples. Early examples of classical music instrumentation in hip hop date to the 1990s. In the 2000s, artists such as Nas, Kendrick Lamar, The Black Violin, and DJ Premier began to prominently use classical music elements.^[1] Classical hip hop's biggest hit so far would be the 2009 Jay-Z and Alicia Keys duet "Empire State of Mind", which has been described as an orchestral rap ballad.^[2] Post Malone would also flirt with the style as well on some of his songs.

Style

Typical classical music elements in hip hop include orchestral sounds, either sample-based or recorded live. In addition, some hip hop songs may feature orchestral elements by way of sampling progressive rock tracks, such as Kanye West sampling 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson on his 2010 song Power.^[3]

History

An early example of classical music in hip hop is from the 1996 The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza". In the episode, rap group Cypress Hill steal the London Symphony Orchestra, which was intended for Peter Frampton. With the orchestra in tow, they perform their 1993 hit "Insane in the Brain" with orchestral backing. Warren G would embrace classical hip hop in a 1997 duet with Sissel on the track "Prince Igor".^[4]

Starting in the 2000s, classical music in hip hop became more prominent as Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Jay-Z (with Alicia Keys on "Empire State of Mind") exploring the genre. In addition to West's progressive rock sampling track "Power", he also worked with progressive rock artist Manfred Mann on his 2014 album Lone Arranger.

In the late 2010s, Dallas based rapper Post Malone would break out, becoming a huge sensation with a versatile music style that stretches from rock to pop and to various forms of hip hop including classical hip hop.

References

^ "Here's What You Get When You Combine Classical Music With Hip Hop – Stop The Breaks | Independent Music Grind". Stopthebreaks.com. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
^ Dalton, Stephen (September 11, 2009). "Jay-Z: The Blueprint 3". The Times. UK: Times Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
^ "Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' Turns 10". Stereogum.com. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
^ "Five Essential Rap and Classical Music Combos | Top 5 @ 105". Wqxr.org. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[1] "Here's What You Get When You Combine Classical Music With Hip Hop – Stop The Breaks | Independent Music Grind". Stopthebreaks.com. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[Dalton-2] Dalton, Stephen (September 11, 2009). "Jay-Z: The Blueprint 3". The Times. UK: Times Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2010.

[3] "Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' Turns 10". Stereogum.com. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[4] "Five Essential Rap and Classical Music Combos | Top 5 @ 105". Wqxr.org. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

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-Hip hop music can incorporate elements of [[classical music]], either using live instruments or with recorded samples. Early examples of classical music instrumentation in hip hop date to the 1990s. In the 2000s,  artists such as [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], The Black Violin, and [[DJ Premier]] began to prominently use classical music elements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/music-industry-news/heres-what-you-get-when-you-combine-classical-music-with-hip-hop/|title=Here's What You Get When You Combine Classical Music With Hip Hop – Stop The Breaks &#124; Independent Music Grind|website=Stopthebreaks.com|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> Classical hip hop's biggest hit so far would be the 2009 [[Jay-Z]] and [[Alicia Keys]] duet [[Empire State of Mind]], which has been described as an orchestral rap ballad.<ref name="Dalton">{{cite web |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6829430.ece |title=Jay-Z: ''The Blueprint 3'' |work=The Times |location=UK |publisher=Times Newspapers Ltd. |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615083207/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6829430.ece |archive-date=June 15, 2011  }}</ref> [[Post Malone]] would also flirt with the style as well on some of his songs.
+Hip hop music can incorporate elements of [[classical music]], either using live instruments or with recorded samples. Early examples of classical music instrumentation in hip hop date to the 1990s. In the 2000s,  artists such as [[Nas (rapper)|Nas]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], The [[Black Violin]], and [[DJ Premier]] began to prominently use classical music elements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/music-industry-news/heres-what-you-get-when-you-combine-classical-music-with-hip-hop/|title=Here's What You Get When You Combine Classical Music With Hip Hop – Stop The Breaks &#124; Independent Music Grind|website=Stopthebreaks.com|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> Classical hip hop's biggest hit so far would be the 2009 [[Jay-Z]] and [[Alicia Keys]] duet "[[Empire State of Mind]]", which has been described as an orchestral rap ballad.<ref name="Dalton">{{cite web |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6829430.ece |title=Jay-Z: ''The Blueprint 3'' |work=The Times |location=UK |publisher=Times Newspapers Ltd. |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615083207/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6829430.ece |archive-date=June 15, 2011  }}</ref> [[Post Malone]] would also flirt with the style as well on some of his songs.
 ==Style==
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 An early example of classical music in hip hop is from the 1996 [[The Simpsons]] episode "[[Homerpalooza]]". In the episode, rap group [[Cypress Hill]] steal the [[London Symphony Orchestra]], which was intended for [[Peter Frampton]]. With the orchestra in tow, they perform their 1993 hit "[[Insane in the Brain]]" with orchestral backing. [[Warren G]] would embrace classical hip hop in a 1997 duet with [[Sissel_Kyrkjebø|Sissel]] on the track "Prince Igor".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wqxr.org/story/five-rap-and-classical-music-combos|title=Five Essential Rap and Classical Music Combos &#124; Top 5 @ 105|website=Wqxr.org|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>
-Starting in the 2000s, classical music in hip hop became more prominent as Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Jay-Z (with [[Alicia Keys]] on "[[Empire State of Mind]]") exploring the genre. In addition to West's progressive rock sampling track "Power", he also worked with progressive rock artist [[Manfred Mann (musician)|Manfred Mann]] on his 2014 album ''[[Lone Arranger]]''.
+Starting in the 2000s, classical music in hip hop became more prominent as Nas, Kendrick Lamar, [[Kanye West]] and Jay-Z (with Alicia Keys on "Empire State of Mind") exploring the genre. In addition to West's progressive rock sampling track "Power", he also worked with progressive rock artist [[Manfred Mann (musician)|Manfred Mann]] on his 2014 album ''[[Lone Arranger]]''.
 In the late 2010s, [[Dallas]] based rapper [[Post Malone]] would break out, becoming a huge sensation with a versatile music style that stretches from [[Rock music|rock]] to [[Pop music|pop]] and to various forms of hip hop including classical hip hop.