Rap Genre in Music

By Sara García 

Rap is a musical genre and form of expression based on rhythmic spoken rhyme over a musical beat. It originated in the 1970s in the African-American and Latino neighborhoods of New York City, within the hip-hop cultural movement. Over time, rap has evolved and diversified into different styles and fusions.

Characteristics of Rap

* Rhyming lyrics: These are the central element of rap, with themes that can range from social criticism to personal experiences.

* Rhythm and flow: The rapper must maintain a fluid and rhythmic cadence when delivering lyrics.

* Instrumental beats: These are based on percussion, powerful bass, and samples from other genres.

* Improvisation: Freestyle, an improvisation of rhymes over a musical base, is common in rap.

Rap Subgenere

1. Boom Bap: Classic 90s rap sound, with heavy drums and profound lyrics (e.g., Nas, Wu-Tang Clan).

2. Trap: More electronic rhythms and use of autotune (e.g., Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, Anuel AA).

3. Freestyle: Improvised rap during battles or competitions (e.g., Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos).