A Dive Into The Subgenres Of Hip Hop

ByAll Star Studios NYC

Hip hop has continued to evolve as a genre but categorizing the subgenres under it by location or sound is becoming a mammoth task. However, it is very important to be able to identify the different types in order to understand the overall genre and how it can impact people in different ways. You can learn this in any one of the hip hop dance studios in NYC.

Here are the main 4 subgenres of the overall genre of hip hop:

1. Boom-bap

This subgenre of hip hop originated in New York. It was one of the most common and popular forms of hip hop in the early to mid 1990s. This sub-genre uses street-focused rhymes and hard hitting beats built off gritty drums. Boom-bap music also puts great emphasis on the lyricism coming from the emcee. Storytelling and strong technical ability are the most important for boom-bap rappers. The subgenre might not be at the top of the hip hop food chain any longer, however, its dedicated fanbase remains devoted as ever.

2. Trap

Trap music is one of the main dominating forces in hip hop today. This music is rooted in southern hip hop of the early 1990s. it is very well-known for its 808 driven production and aggressive lyrics. This type of music gets its name as the music’s content is centered around life in “the trap”, which mainly consisted of drugs, violence and harsh experiences whilst growing up in inner-city communities. Trap music is basically dominating the hip hop radio charts due to its catchy sound and is filled with honest depictions of everything during that time from fame to pain.

3. Gangsta Rap

This type of music has recently been popularized in movies such as Straight Outta Compton, however, it was born in California and has had a huge impact on people in the 1990s. the earliest commercial appeal of gangsta rap brought about a lot of controversy because of its strong focus on violence and the gang lifestyle promotion so common in LA. Even though gangsta rap is not as popular as it used to be, some of the singers and artists have left behind a strong impact on hip hop. The foundation of gangsta rap will forever be relevant within the genre of hip hop.

4. Melodic Rap

This one is not officially recognized as a subgenre of hip hop as of yet, but it has been very influential over the past several years. Following the steps of artists such as Drake, many rappers have now started utilizing their vocal talents and singing on tracks with bass-heavy, futuristic production. This type of hip hop is currently playing a very prominent role in the world of independent hip-hop.