Rap Vs. Hip-Hop
Many people believe that rap is not a music genre and is merely a sub-genre of hip-hop. There is also the belief rapper KRS-ONE said, “rapping is something you do and hip-hop is something you live” (KRS-ONE). The differences between rap and hip-hop are distinguishable enough that the two have separated. Leading people to believe that rap has evolved into its own category. Unless rap or hip-hop music is one of your favorite genres of music, you probably just lump the two together. Although in many ways the two are different. The main three that are used to distinguish the genres are musical features and culture/community message (Francois and Bronwyn). Although the debate on whether or not rap is an action and hip-hop is a lifestyle makes distinguishing the two harder. Despite the differences between hip-hop and rap music both have made huge strides for the communities associated and have a magnificent influence on today’s society. The musical features of a song are probably something that most people over look. Although to distinguish a rap song from a hip-hop song, it is crucial. Rap has more poetry in the lyrics where hip-hop puts the lyrics to a faster beat and is
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usually accompanied by a dance.
Lyrically rap and hip-hop have a blurred line but the rhythm and the “feel” of the music is completely separated.
Rap music has a more edgy sound that shouldn’t be played at a party. Hip-hop is more of a crossover with pop music. Hip-hop has a danceable beat and usually a catchy chorus. Many times hip-hop is associated with breakdancing ("Hip-Hop vs Rap."). The artists in rap music create poetry that discusses the main issues of the community, politics, or media events (Francois and Bronwyn). The songs usually talk about something that is happening in the community that isn’t being talked about. “Hip hop music is used to express hope for the future and to remember the successes of the past” (Francois and Bronwyn). Rap and hip-hop both talk about the same issues but hip-hop is more
optimistic. The notion that all hip-hop is rap, but not all rap is hip-hop makes differentiating the two hard. Adding that there really is no set answer to the question because both hip-hop and rap have changed and evolved from where the two started. Differentiating the two is very individual. From a musical standpoint hip-hop is more witty and fun where rap is more “tell it how it is” type of music. Usually rap music is more serious. From a cultural standpoint, the two blend. Both rap and hip-hop are associated with the same culture. The two deal with social issues that the media isn’t acknowledging; things like the civil rights movement and racism. Groups like N.W.A were always in hot water for their music. The N.W.A talked about drugs and violence that scared many people. The movie about the N.W.A that recently came out outlines “the realities of life in Compton and South Central in the Eighties” (Hiatt). It shows that the music these men produced, as gritty as it is, is true. In an article about the movie Straight out of Compton Ice Cube quotes “you had to see why we did the music" (Hiatt). Ice Cube says that the music the N.W.A produced is still relevant because things that happen in poor communities is still in the dark. He says its sad that we have all this technology that should be able to shed light on a lot of the danger and the injustice that happens but the majority of people still don’t hear about them. That’s what makes both rap and hip-hop very important music, it opens up and talks about things that people should know about but don’t.
usually accompanied by a dance.
Lyrically rap and hip-hop have a blurred line but the rhythm and the “feel” of the music is completely separated.
Rap music has a more edgy sound that shouldn’t be played at a party. Hip-hop is more of a crossover with pop music. Hip-hop has a danceable beat and usually a catchy chorus. Many times hip-hop is associated with breakdancing ("Hip-Hop vs Rap."). The artists in rap music create poetry that discusses the main issues of the community, politics, or media events (Francois and Bronwyn). The songs usually talk about something that is happening in the community that isn’t being talked about. “Hip hop music is used to express hope for the future and to remember the successes of the past” (Francois and Bronwyn). Rap and hip-hop both talk about the same issues but hip-hop is more
optimistic. The notion that all hip-hop is rap, but not all rap is hip-hop makes differentiating the two hard. Adding that there really is no set answer to the question because both hip-hop and rap have changed and evolved from where the two started. Differentiating the two is very individual. From a musical standpoint hip-hop is more witty and fun where rap is more “tell it how it is” type of music. Usually rap music is more serious. From a cultural standpoint, the two blend. Both rap and hip-hop are associated with the same culture. The two deal with social issues that the media isn’t acknowledging; things like the civil rights movement and racism. Groups like N.W.A were always in hot water for their music. The N.W.A talked about drugs and violence that scared many people. The movie about the N.W.A that recently came out outlines “the realities of life in Compton and South Central in the Eighties” (Hiatt). It shows that the music these men produced, as gritty as it is, is true. In an article about the movie Straight out of Compton Ice Cube quotes “you had to see why we did the music" (Hiatt). Ice Cube says that the music the N.W.A produced is still relevant because things that happen in poor communities is still in the dark. He says its sad that we have all this technology that should be able to shed light on a lot of the danger and the injustice that happens but the majority of people still don’t hear about them. That’s what makes both rap and hip-hop very important music, it opens up and talks about things that people should know about but don’t.