Rap vs. Hip Hop

[NOBLE]

I haven't listened to much Macklemore, but I get where you are coming from, Nick. I still think Rap/Hip Hop is the most versatile form of music there is. Probably 95% of all R&B, Country, or Pop songs are love-related (either they're saying sorry, breaking up or making up). I think they're even more monotonous than Rap imo. Hip Hop employs more words. Someone can tell their whole life story in a song. It's harder to do that in the other genres because of the format. People have sang about killing and violence in other genres, but it's not as convincing to me. I think the monotony in subject matter is mostly in mainstream and commercial Rap. Those themes sell (sex and violence) and most of those rappers are doing it mostly for the money. You will find more varied subjects if you explore the underground.

[NOBLE]

I haven't listened to much Macklemore, but I get where you are coming from, Nick. I still think Rap/Hip Hop is the most versatile form of music there is. Probably 95% of all R&B, Country, or Pop songs are love-related (either they're saying sorry, breaking up or making up). I think they're even more monotonous than Rap imo. Hip Hop employs more words. Someone can tell their whole life story in a song. It's harder to do that in the other genres because of the format. People have sang about killing and violence in other genres, but it's not as convincing to me. I think the monotony in subject matter is mostly in mainstream and commercial Rap. Those themes sell (sex and violence) and most of those rappers are doing it mostly for the money. You will find more varied subjects if you explore the underground.

For people making ACTUAL music, as in playing instruments, I'm more impressed these days than rap.

I was recently put on to Lindsey Sterling and Miyavi and just their skills on their respective instruments alone are insane. Lovely Laura who smashes it on the Sax in Ibiza and was at Tomorowland last year is another amazing one with her art.

For people making ACTUAL music, as in playing instruments, I'm more impressed these days than rap.

I was recently put on to Lindsey Sterling and Miyavi and just their skills on their respective instruments alone are insane. Lovely Laura who smashes it on the Sax in Ibiza and was at Tomorowland last year is another amazing one with her art.

[Way Lyve]

Originally Posted by Swagga Lee

I agree with it being subjective. I think the one central theme of Hip Hop is authenticity...or the concept of "keeping it real," and being authentic means different things to different people. For some people, rapping about all the money you make and all the bitches you fuck is fake and you're putting on a front. For others, that's their real life (or at least it was) and the backpackers aren't "real" enough.

I have to agree a central tenet of hiphop is being true to oneself wether you're selling drugs or hitting the books. I think originality and creativity are also core tenets. So yeah, I'd agree content is important but not as important as "keeping it real". Though, I think how you deliver the message can matter. I believe most of us would give more props to someone who exposes or sheds light on situations as opposed to someone who may seem to glorify them.

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Nicholas

I'm changing the topic slightly but am I the only person bored of the same topics & stories in our genre? The drug dealer from an impoverished background glorifying the struggle of selling drugs usually. There was nothing wrong with the story being told but every rapper seems to have the same background. Why can't we have something different? I think that was one of the reasons for the success of someone like Macklemore - he jumps on the scene talking about buying clothes from a Thrift shop and has had a few big hits with similar, unorthodox topics.

I completely agree about the topics getting old. I really dislike Macklemore but agree with the rest. I had a dope track, good lyrics and production but took it down for that reason. Felt like that same old shit tbh.

---------- Post added at 08:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Shae Schnerch

Yeah but Macklemore also talks about how he's culturally appropriating the black music and how he has white privilege so he can fuck right off.

My problem with rap a lot is that everyone is John Cena. What I mean by this is that they aren't allowed to play a "character". They have to "keep it real" and be honest about themselves. Why aren't we allowed more storytelling? Things like 2pac writing a verse from the perspective of a woman, as if she's the protagonist? Or Eminem's Stan. Things like that always feel different for me and it opens it up to be more like writing and poetry than it is "rap".

Anyways, as for the general topic, some people have it the complete otherway around but I see rap as the action of rapping, and I see hiphop as the whole facade with flashy cars and gold chains.

It's a lot harder to write that way. And corporate labels are worried about money. There's a formula for that. So sadly won't see much diversity in music unless you hella search for it.

[Way Lyve]

Originally Posted by Swagga Lee

I agree with it being subjective. I think the one central theme of Hip Hop is authenticity...or the concept of "keeping it real," and being authentic means different things to different people. For some people, rapping about all the money you make and all the bitches you fuck is fake and you're putting on a front. For others, that's their real life (or at least it was) and the backpackers aren't "real" enough.

I have to agree a central tenet of hiphop is being true to oneself wether you're selling drugs or hitting the books. I think originality and creativity are also core tenets. So yeah, I'd agree content is important but not as important as "keeping it real". Though, I think how you deliver the message can matter. I believe most of us would give more props to someone who exposes or sheds light on situations as opposed to someone who may seem to glorify them.

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Nicholas

I'm changing the topic slightly but am I the only person bored of the same topics & stories in our genre? The drug dealer from an impoverished background glorifying the struggle of selling drugs usually. There was nothing wrong with the story being told but every rapper seems to have the same background. Why can't we have something different? I think that was one of the reasons for the success of someone like Macklemore - he jumps on the scene talking about buying clothes from a Thrift shop and has had a few big hits with similar, unorthodox topics.

I completely agree about the topics getting old. I really dislike Macklemore but agree with the rest. I had a dope track, good lyrics and production but took it down for that reason. Felt like that same old shit tbh.

---------- Post added at 08:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Shae Schnerch

Yeah but Macklemore also talks about how he's culturally appropriating the black music and how he has white privilege so he can fuck right off.

My problem with rap a lot is that everyone is John Cena. What I mean by this is that they aren't allowed to play a "character". They have to "keep it real" and be honest about themselves. Why aren't we allowed more storytelling? Things like 2pac writing a verse from the perspective of a woman, as if she's the protagonist? Or Eminem's Stan. Things like that always feel different for me and it opens it up to be more like writing and poetry than it is "rap".

Anyways, as for the general topic, some people have it the complete otherway around but I see rap as the action of rapping, and I see hiphop as the whole facade with flashy cars and gold chains.

It's a lot harder to write that way. And corporate labels are worried about money. There's a formula for that. So sadly won't see much diversity in music unless you hella search for it.

Thats another issue with rap. Everyone wants to get "signed". You dont just get an open mic night with people performing because thats what they love to do. Thats why you rarely get people writing about whatever they want and just feeling it.

Thats another issue with rap. Everyone wants to get "signed". You dont just get an open mic night with people performing because thats what they love to do. Thats why you rarely get people writing about whatever they want and just feeling it.

[Ocularis Van Leer]

The absolute difference is purely what the music is. Rap can be acappella. The music can be house or pop,rock,country,trap but have someone rapping on it. Someone rapping does not a hiphop song make

[Ocularis Van Leer]

The absolute difference is purely what the music is. Rap can be acappella. The music can be house or pop,rock,country,trap but have someone rapping on it. Someone rapping does not a hiphop song make

[RhetoriK]

Hip Hop is a culture...rap is something people involved in the aforesaid culture do.

[RhetoriK]

Hip Hop is a culture...rap is something people involved in the aforesaid culture do.

[Student]

Hip-Hop is LIFE, Rap is the soundtrack. Just like any compilation there's different ways of doing it (sub-genres).
Beat-boxing turned into making 5 beats a day for 3 summers.
Break dancing turned into dabbing, nae nae, dougie, etc. whatever the fuck is "hip" now, get it hip?
Wearing Addidas track suits turned baggy pants then into leather kilts and shit and whatever's the trend now.

[Student]

Hip-Hop is LIFE, Rap is the soundtrack. Just like any compilation there's different ways of doing it (sub-genres).
Beat-boxing turned into making 5 beats a day for 3 summers.
Break dancing turned into dabbing, nae nae, dougie, etc. whatever the fuck is "hip" now, get it hip?
Wearing Addidas track suits turned baggy pants then into leather kilts and shit and whatever's the trend now.