Rap rock is a cross-genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock is often confused with rap metal and rapcore, subgenres that include heavy metal-oriented and hardcore punk-oriented bands, respectively. These styles became the basis for nu metal.

[edit] History

Proceeding the development of rap rock, some rock bands had experimented with old school hip hop influences, such as Blondie and The Clash.^[1][2] 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 remake helped bring hip hop into popularity with a mainstream white audience.^[3] 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.^[4] Detroit rapper Esham became known for his "acid rap" style, which fused rapped metal-influenced lyrics with a sound that was often rock and heavy metal-based,^[5][6] and is considered to be an influence on the development of rap rock and rap metal.^[5] Rappers who sampled rock songs included Ice-T, The Fat Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Whodini.^[7]

Rap rock began to enter the mainstream arena in the 1990s. Rock bands such as 24-7 Spyz, Faith No More, Living Colour, Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers fused rock and hip hop influences.^[7][8] The soundtrack album for the 1993 film Judgment Night featured 11 collaborations between hip hop and rock musicians.^[9] Urban Dance Squad mixed funk, heavy metal, hip hop and punk.^[10] Biohazard is also considered to be a pioneering act in the genre.^[11] 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.^[12] Beck's successful 1994 single "Loser" incorporated hip hop influences,^[5] including an imitation of Chuck D's rapping style.^[13]

Rap rock gained mainstream popularity in the late-90s. Among the first wave of performers to gain mainstream success were 311,^[14] Bloodhound Gang,^[15] and Kid Rock.^[16] Rap rock would become the basis for the nu metal genre.^[17] Although the popularity of these styles is believed to be declining,^[8] some believe that rap rock may regain popularity, with younger music fans discovering bands in the genre.^[18]

[edit] Characteristics

Rap rock is varied in sound, with performers incorporating influences from various genres, including alternative rock,^[7] funk,^[19] hardcore punk,^[20] hard rock,^[7] heavy metal,^[7] or pop.^[7] In The Violent World of Moshpit Culture, Joe Ambrose describes rapcore as "a mixture of white rap and hardcore".^[20] 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",^[19] and described rap rock as having a more organic sound,^[19] characterizing many songs in the genre as rock songs in which the vocals were rapped rather than sung.^[19] Allmusic also states that the rhythms of rap rock are rooted in that of hip hop, with more funk influences than normal hard rock.^[19]

Hed PE, which fuses punk rock with hip hop, sometimes incorporates reggae and heavy metal influences.^[21] According to Rolling Stone writer Rob Kemp, Incubus' 1997 album S.C.I.E.N.C.E. "links funk metal to the rap metal".^[22] Kottonmouth Kings perform a style which they refer to as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock".^[23] Kid Rock incorporates country and Southern rock influences,^[24] and is backed by a 10 piece band, while Everlast fuses blues and rock with hip hop,^[25] performing with a live band that includes a DJ.^[26][27]

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".^[28] Although some alternative metal and nu metal bands incorporate hip hop beats, rap rock bands were always fronted by rappers.^[28] Rap metal vocalists mix rapping and screaming.^[3]

[edit] References