Jump to content

Rap rock

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 173.66.161.212 (talk) at 01:33, 2 April 2012 (→‎Characteristics). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rap rock
Stylistic originsHip hop, rock
Cultural originsMid-to-late 1980s, United States
Typical instrumentsRapping - Vocals - Electric guitar - Bass guitar - Drums - Turntables - Sampler - Synthesizer - Keyboard
Subgenres
Rapcore - rap metal
Other topics
Hip hop - rock

Rap rock is a cross-genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock's most popular subgenres include rap metal and rapcore, which include heavy metal-oriented and hardcore punk-oriented influences, respectively.

Characteristics

Allmusic describes rap metal as having "big, lurching beats and heavy, heavy riffs" that "occasionally [...] [sound] as if the riffs were merely overdubbed over scratching and beat box beats",[1] and described rap rock as having a more organic sound,[1] characterizing many songs in the genre as rock songs in which the vocals were rapped rather than sung.[1] Allmusic also states that the rhythms of rap rock are rooted in that of hip hop, with more funk influences than normal hard rock.[1]

Hed PE, which fuses punk rock with hip hop, sometimes incorporates reggae and heavy metal influences.[2] According to Rolling Stone writer Rob Kemp, Incubus' 1997 album S.C.I.E.N.C.E. "links funk metal to the rap metal".[3] Kottonmouth Kings perform a style which they refer to as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock".[4] Kid Rock incorporates country and Southern rock influences,[5] and is backed by a 10 piece band, while Everlast fuses blues and rock with hip hop,[6] performing with a live band that includes a DJ.[7][8]

The lyrical themes of rap rock vary. According to Allmusic, "most rap-metal bands during the mid- to late '90s blended an ultra-aggressive, testosterone-heavy theatricality with either juvenile humor or an introspective angst learned through alternative metal".[9]

Although some alternative metal and nu metal bands incorporate hip hop beats, rap rock bands were always fronted by rappers.[9] Rock bands generally not associated with rap rock have experimented with hip hop influences, including rapping. Such bands have included Blondie,[10] The Clash,[11] Rush[12] and Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad.[13] Many rappers have been noted for a prominent use of samples derived from rock songs, including Ice-T,[14] The Fat Boys,[14] LL Cool J,[14] Public Enemy,[14] Whodini,[14] Vanilla Ice[15] and Esham.[16][17]

History

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who formed in 1983, are often cited as one of the originators in the rap rock genre and were one of the first white rock bands to fuse rap music into their rock sound which also included a mixture of punk and funk music. At their first performance, the band was short on material so they asked friend, Anthony Kiedis, who was the MC for the night to join them on stage. Kiedis proceeded to rap a poem he wrote titled, "Out in L.A." which was heavily influenced by Grandmaster Flash. The band's first demo, recorded in 1984, featured many songs with rapped lyrics over a rock sound. In 1986, Run-D.M.C. collaborated with Aerosmith on a remake of the latter's earlier song, "Walk This Way", first released in 1975. The success of the "Walk This Way" remake helped bring hip hop into popularity with a mainstream white audience.[18] Beastie Boys, formerly a hardcore punk group, began working in the hip hop genre. Their debut album, Licensed to Ill, largely featured a rock-based sound.[19]

Rap rock began to enter the mainstream arena in the 1990s. Rock bands such as 311, 24-7 Spyz, Faith No More, Living Colour, and Rage Against the Machine fused rock and hip hop influences.[14][20] The soundtrack album for the 1993 film Judgment Night featured 11 collaborations between hip hop and rock musicians.[21] Urban Dance Squad mixed funk, heavy metal, hip hop and punk.[22] Biohazard is also considered to be a pioneering act in the genre.[23] Cypress Hill's Black Sunday featured a rock-based sound and artwork which, according to Allmusic reviewer Steve Huey, resembled that of heavy metal bands.[24]. Linkin Park is probably considered one of the most popular Rap-Rock bands to this day, although, very recently, their music has turned to a more chilling synth based style of music with almost no raps or rock.

Rap rock gained mainstream popularity in the late-90s. Among the first wave of performers to gain mainstream success were 311,[25] Bloodhound Gang,[26] Kid Rock[27] and Limp Bizkit.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Genre: Rap-Rock". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  2. ^ Sculley, Alan (August 28, 2008). "(Hed) p.e. wants (no) interference". Naperville, Illinois: The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2008-08-23. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link]
  3. ^ Kemp, Rob (2004). "Incubus". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (ed.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon and Schuste. p. 403. ISBN 0743201698.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  4. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Biography for Kottonmouth Kings". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  5. ^ Hess, Mickey (2007). "White Rappers". Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of America's Most Wanted Music. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 122–123. ISBN 0275994619.
  6. ^ "Everlast, Mike Ness, Willie Nelson Soothe Nerves With Early Sunday Sets". MTV News. July 26, 1999. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Jim (September 28, 1998). "Scrambling genres works for Everlast". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 1 January 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Johnson, Brett (August 14, 1999). "Everlast succeeds with introspection". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 1 January 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b c "Genre: Rap-Metal". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Review of Autoamerican". Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  11. ^ Guarisco, Donald A. "Review of 'The Magnificent Seven'". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  12. ^ Roberto, Leonard (2000). "Roll the Bones". A Simple Kind Mirror: The Lyrical Vision of Rush. iUniverse. p. 45. ISBN 0595213626.
  13. ^ Black, Johnny (March 2003). "The Greatest Songs Ever! Loser". Blender. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b c d e f Henderson, Alex. "Genre essay: Rap-Metal". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  15. ^ Hess, Mickey (2007). "Vanilla Ice: The Elvis of Rap". Is Hip Hop Dead?. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 118. ISBN 0275994619.
  16. ^ Keyes, Cheryl Lynette (2002). "Blending and Shaping Styles: Rap and Other Musical Voices". Rap Music and Street Consciousness. University of Illinois Press. p. 108. ISBN 0252072014, 9780252072017. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  17. ^ Ketchum III, William E. (October 15, 2008). "Mayor Esham? What?". Detroit, Michigan: Metro Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (December 3, 2000). "Rappers Who Definitely Know How to Rock". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review of Licensed to Ill". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  20. ^ Grierson, Tim. "What Is Rap-Rock: A Brief History of Rap-Rock". About.com. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  21. ^ Greene, Jr, James (April 4, 2008). "Review of Judgment Night: Music from the Motion Picture". PopMatters. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  22. ^ Jenkins, Mark (July 14, 1990). "Urban Dance Squad". The Washington Post. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Pop and Jazz Guide". The New York Times. December 26, 2003. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Huey, Steve. "Review of Black Sunday". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  25. ^ Nixon, Chris (August 16, 2007). "Anything goes". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |curly= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Potterf, Tina (October 1, 2003). "Turners blurs line between sports bar, dance club". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "Long Live Rock n' Rap: Rock isn't dead, it's just moving to a hip-hop beat. So are its mostly white fans, who face questions about racial identity as old as Elvis". Newsweek. July 19, 1999. Retrieved 31 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rap_rock&oldid=485084751"