mental_floss question of the day.
A: This is one of the trickier questions we’ve tried to answer. It seems every time we’re about to arrive at an easy explanation someone throws in a different opinion. Some maintain that rap is a kind of music, whereas hip-hop is a lifestyle — one that includes rap, break dancing, DJing, and graffiti art. Rap pioneer and sage KRS-One says simply, “Rap is something you do, but hip-hop is something you live.”…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - musability
The difference between rap and hip hop is like the difference between shiite and sunni muslims.
27 - musability
The difference between rap and hip hop is like the difference between shiite and sunni muslims.
28 - loryz
u got some goood info kinda
29 - loryz
hip hop is goood
30 - Duncan
hip hop is really a way of life that came aboout bse a black man wanted his voice heard.more to this a black man lost track and begun talking about violence, sex, drugs coz that was all he could do.therefor hip hop is bad but rapping id good-hate it or love it!
31 - Dj slim
As for the difference is simple between rap and hip-hop,i call rap those kind of niggas who said cursed words direspecting other specially women and killinkg each others but hip-hop is like poetry,meaningful words thatmake people feel comfortable between one another.
32 - Salideen Theory
Hip hop is the culture, Rap is one of the arts in the culture. comparing the two is like comparing kungfu to side kicks.
In the art of rap (which is from the culture of hip hop) you have to factions the MC's and Rappers.
The MC takes it upon himself to represent the hiphop community by a display of excellent skills incorperating, the principles of rapping which include originality/sharp wordplay/knowlege of current slang/ and most importantly a message that applies to the culture of hiphop, the state of the people, conditions of the world. The MC is an esoteric artist of hiphop who follows the inner ways of rapping (renamed emceeing) to an occult level.
The rapper is a representative of his neigbor hood who represents hiphop from the perspective of the "Ghetto" superstar. His main focus is to put his neighborhood/city/squad on the map. The rapper is focused on popularity and money (not really focused on the cultural side of rapping like the MC). The rapper focuses on creating catchy slang and setting the new fad of dressing.
the rapper does not feel the need to be obligated to the laws of hiphop and tent to even lean on the pop side.
in truth the MC and the Rapper are both representative of the Black experience, which a lot of Hiphop head try to forget is the origin of this culture called hip hop and this art called rapping. As the art of MCing has started to spread through out the world, the focus on the african american people has been neglected by the MC. As a result of this neglect, the rapper has been representing the african american people and have recieve popularity fame and wealth for it.
I am a MC(jedi) but hiphop is my culture, rap is my art African americans are my people. The rapper is not my enemy, he is the yin force that will dominate whenever the MC is sleeping.
PEACE
33 - Salideen Theory
What kills me is the so called MCs have not created anything inovating since the mid 90s.
truth is what it is, The MCs have become so
stiff in concept of rapping that he can not move
into the 21st century.
The reason that "soldier boy" is so hot is that he represents a "posible" future for the african american youth. He is presenting his image of the 21st century slave who is happy working for his owner, dancing and singing like a happy slave. Though most of us in the hiphop community are sickened by this, at least it is a possible future.
Most MC are so ingulfed in the past that the young people can not even identify them.
1.the "Black panther" MC - The constitution is Dead so is your whole revolution, so how do you expect the kids to get online with a lost cause.
2. The "poetic" MC - beautifully written but so far from the african american cause or the hiphop culture that nobody wants to hear it but you.
3. the "teacher" MC -(i am stuck in this catagory) guess what, the kids today don't read! they are failing out of school like its the new style. You think that they are going to read the books that you reference.
4. The "copy cat" MC - stop byting! yo, this is a fundamental rule of rapping. these are the MCs who copy the style of there favorite MC as if they can be RAkim better than rakim. when the last time you seen rakim getting shine? IF he can't do it with his style than your doomed.
Yo, My fellow Jedi, lets step into the future and make rapping the Art of the MC again! stop tripping about titles and words and start making inspiring music.
34 - nathan
actually when you look at the development of both rap and hip hop you can clearly tell that hip hop is a cultural movement while rap, or rapping is something you do-a verb
35 - Mcsyntax
from what i read on these forums rap is just a subgenre of the hip hop culture Hip hop Is a culture supported by breakin,graffin,Turntablism,mcin and in my opinion 5th element beat boxing Now with regards to rap i don't believe this should be a subgenre of hip hop it should be it's own genre cuz all the rap i hear of nowadays is little babies scratching their voices over the beat singing screaming rapping about their girls jewelery cars money houses clubs type of drinks guns getting shot all that crap is way over rated and should not be supported by any industry where hip hop the realest emcees create lyrical wisdom and backs their tracks up with a meaningful message
a sweet boom bap beat with breaks, and scratches by the Dj is the only real music i can backup for example J dilla, Mf doom, People under the stairs, Immortal technique, Madlib, Big L,Gangstar,Jeru tha damaja, Jedi mind (Violent by design) Oldschool wutang and way more are the emcees that stay real to the music and just do it for the love of music not the money!!! don't wanna show off or nothing just make beautiful music for everybody to nod there head 2
36 - Marcia Neil
'Rap' is when a person has something original to say; 'hip-hop' is where a person is trying to go. If many people have the same rap to express, then a music-theme can be created; if many people have the same place to go, then a music-theme can be created.
37 - soun bwoy killa
hip hop the father and rap is the son
38 - elvia
man dats a dumb question because to me they're hand in hand if u like rap u like hip hop or am I wrong I love both 2pac n cris brown they both know wats up and how 2 get down if u know what i mean pimpin aint ez to everyone posting comments let me know if I am wrong I may be!!!!! I love all types of music exept for country and opera!
39 - teelah
rap is where its at
40 - nancy
I read all of the comments. Sad, but seems like another topic designed to seaparate our Black people. Why can't we as human beings take a thing for what it is? Maybe rap IS bad as far as message and meaning are concerned. But you must have some form of measurement to determine where the bottom is. Right? Hip-hop seems to be the artistic way of expressing a feeling, where rap is raw and non-poetic. We as a people are NOT STUPID! We don't need to dis each other if we DISagree! Shallow vs deep...decide what you prefer and move along.
41 - RB-Productions
Rap is something you do, Hip Hop is something you LIVE. In my opinion Hip Hop is very close to EXTINCTION, but we still have the REAL MC's like Immortal Technique, and Nas. Someone like Soulja Boy and Lil Wayne is simply something ELSE, not Hip Hop. They are simply hungry for cash, feeding the Record Companies at the same time.
42 - sam
gets sum aus hip hop into ya
43 - James
I don't think, I know, HIP HOP and rap are different because rappers are full of shit and Hip Hoppers tell whats going on. And yes some have to protect them self's by getting out of line with what they say. Rap:: lil wane, 50 cent, Bone, Snoop, Dre, and so on. Hip Hop:: Gangstar, Tribe, The Roots, Mos Def, Black Sheep, Out Kast, The Fugees, Common Sense, And Many more.
Jdog
44 - Kubes
All this discussion is getting away from the original question. The question is not which is better, but simply what are the differences in musical elements between hip hop music and rap music. Can someone PLEASE tell me how the musical elements, rhythm, chords, meter, harmonies, tones, etc. differ between hip hop music and rap music. If there is no sonic difference between rap and hip hop, then why claim there is a musical difference between the styles?
45 - MC Dictionary
rapport n. Relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity.
hip adj. Keenly aware of or knowledgeable about the latest trends or developments.
hop n. An informal dance
46 - D.Maine
I see it like this; Hip hop is the culture with rap being a part of it, so all rap is hip hop but not all hip hop is rap, because hip hop also includes the fashions, graffiti, and dances or w.e
Then under rap their are MCs who rap about society and are like a sign of the times because they comment on current real world stuf then their are jus rappers who rap bout girls n money n ice n w.e with no tru meaning behind em
47 - Your Mom
Rap and Hip Hop both suck so bad its not even funny. They require no skill what so ever. Get a life and go listen to some REAL music
48 - blankityblank0
hey old school teacher that is a completely incorrect statement that no good hip hop has come out since before 2000 it just may be hard to find. and some good hip hop got big for example gym class heroes.
49 - Marcia Neil
They're both 'discovery' modes of tonal expostulation.
50 - MuthaTrukcas
Hey Your Mom, if you tell other people to get a life; why did you specifically search for hip hop to insult people in your spare time. You get a life! I came here because I like hip hop more than rap. It is music, music is an art, and art is anything one makes from his or her creativity. Dont troll please.
51 - Empty Space
Is a beat with no vocals considered rap or hip hop??? I ask this because there is no difference 2 me. The vocals are just another melodic instrument, so anyone with a voice can "rap". The thing is there's always been heavy opinion about a rap song being GOOD or BAD within HIP HOP. Just like religion, science, or whatever, it ALL links back to a way of thinking or proven techniqe. You have so many faiths and sciences just like rap songs!!! Personally, I like AND dislike rap songs ranging from the cypher/message type to the poppin bottles/bling/club type, but its all HIP HOP LOVE... (Now I'm bout to go smoke, drink, party, and try 2 make the world better at the same time, a true hip hopper, peace!!!)
52 - millio.p
whatever they say(obscenities),we gon keep it real.issues affecting society is prioty coz the future lies in respect of humanity
53 - mith
since there is so much controversy about what the difference is...you can make a difference between the artist....
HIP HOP: NAS, Jadakiss, 2pac, Biggie, etc
RAP: lil wayne, T-pain, 50 cent, etc
get the idea...
54 - me
if your on a mic rhyming to a beat, your rapping, not hip hopping lol
if your dancing to the rap music your usually hip hop dancing, or you can dress hip hop.
BTW i like lil wayne hes a cool person but he cant rap, not trying to pick a fight its just my opinion
55 - Dj KDM
Well, get ready because now that dance music is making it's way back into the mainstream, this "new" electro-pop and dance sound will be the type of stuff people will once again be rapping over. To all the younger generation kids born 1988 and later, this whole dance trend will be the "new futuristic sound", similar to what the late 90's Timbaland and Missy beat style was to my (or our) generation when we were in our late teen years. Now we have now become the parents of this new generation of kids who are currently 15-24. By the time today's 15 year olds turn 28 or 29, hip hop would have evolved into a new sound, and who knows what kind of beats people would be rapping on by then. Just keep in mind that by that time, there will probably be more or about the same amount of classic hip hop stations as there are regular hip hop stations, just like we have classic rock and oldies today for genres that were once the "next big thing". Hip hop has already passed its peak and is currently in a state of decline as the next generation sound slowly takes over. Remember, we are now the parents, so it's no longer as "cool" to the kids as it used to be. 2010 - 2020 will breed an entirely different sound. Just wait and see what old school will sound like in 2020 as that generation too, becomes the parents, and we the...... yes, grandparents!!
By then, there'll probably be a completely new genre of music, and hip hop will sound like what 60's and 70's and some early 80's music sounds to us (25-30 year olds) now.
I just wonder what the game will be like when most of our (or my) generation of superstars get old and no longer rap or are all gone? Dr Dre and Snoop are getting up there... Madonna is pretty much done.... Eminem is already in his 30's... It all shows you how short life really is...
I remember almost being Soulja Boy's age and listening to Bone Thugs & Harmony or Coolio. I remember when Lil Bow Wow was just a little kid! I remember back in 3rd and 4th grade when everyone was trying to figure out what the last P in OPP stood for and the teachers sending us to the restroom to put our clothes on the right way instead of backwards like Kriss Kross... I remember back when Salt & Peppa and MC Hammer were the times for when my parents were transitioning from being "young and hip" to becoming "the older people", as we 10- 14 year old kids were preparing for Dr Dre and Snoop to pop up and be the ones who kicked things off for us! Now look at what 10 - 14 year olds are being introduced to!!! Completely different...
So, lets see how this evolution in rap and hip hop unfolds throughout the years, as people begin to rap in various genre styles and hip hop changes. Would the answer to this question regarding the difference between rap and hip hop remain the same
in 10 to 20 years? Or would the definitions have been changed to adapt with the modernized sound?
Notice how the recent Eminem and Dr Dre stuff now seem a bit out dated! Times are already changing...
56 - Ruvy
Dj KDM,
Would you like a cane to go with the false teeth and rug on your head, maybe?
57 - ojijo virus
for real its been a great debate where every one gives an opinion.to my opinion,WITHOUT hiphop there would be no rap.
HIPHOP:GRave diggers,mcren,j dilla
rap/crank:lilwayne,rickross,50 snitch,soulja boy.
that is the reason why ice T told hurricane cris that hiphop is old than THE numbers on his hair n thats real sence.peace
58 - Scott
Technically rap is the music and hip hop is the lifestyle/culture. Nowadays however I believe that they are considered largely within the music industry as separate styles within the same genre. Whilst technically incorrect if someone asked what was the difference between rap and hip hop, I would feel that rap is the heavier stuff like 50 cent, 2pac, eminem anything that seems "gangster rap" hip hop is more laid back like de la soul, binary star, kanye west. In my opinion both have good and bad artists, Its the beat and what they rap about to me. A lot of peoples definition on here it would seem is "rap stuff I don't like, Hip hop stuff I like" spose every1 has a different opinion
59 - Uzi
THE DEFINITIVE EXPLANATION ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIP HOP MUSIC vs. RAP MUSIC...
There IS NO difference! They are one and the same. Every post I've seen on this site has tried to categorize the two based upon a personal aesthetic preference. Some have claimed that it's not even the style of music but rather, it's simply what the artist is talking about. The failure to distinguish one from the other is usually due to attempts at elevating one above the other. One is "real" while the other is "fake". One is "idealistic" while the other is "materialistic". In addition to that, no one can seem to agree which termonolgy refers to the commercial, materialistic, mainstream variety. Some have called it hip hop, while others have called it rap. I agree with those who've said that hip hop is the culture, incorporating the elements of b-boying, djing, graffiti, beatboxing, and yes, rapping. As far as rap music is concerned, "rap" refers to the vocal approach utilized which is basically just rhyming over a beat. Irregardless of what the rapper/mc (they ARE one and the same) speaks about, it is still rap. Since rap is an element of hip hop, ALL RAP, whether underground or mainsteam, whether good or bad, whether positive or negative, whether enlightened or ignorant, whether idealistic or materialistic, whether produced on a Triton keyboard or with an MPC, whether or not it incorporates a DJ, whether or not it utilizes a live band, IS hip hop. Think about it and you'll see that I'm right.
Considering that few emcees consistently promote the same imagery from song to son and that some have enjoyed both underground and commercial success (Outkast, Black Eyed Peas), the overlap between underground and mainstream music is much too entangled to classify rappers into separate categories. All rappers rap about women. Most rap about money. J Dilla has to be the smoking gun in all of this. J Dilla is almost universally refered to as a "true" hip hop artist as a way to detract from his mainstream counterparts. But Dilla rhymes are as materialistic and gun-toting as anyone's.
With Slum Village he had a sone entitled "Get dis Money". Just look at his lyrics from his song "The $" off of his Ruff Draft album.
-Yo, I'm thinkin of a master plan
I'm blingin with the cash in hand
I got a muh'fuckin right to shine nigga
I paid my dues, I earned this cake I abuse
I burn the paper the way I choose
I gotta, handle my B.I., and I do
And hold the T-I-N-Y tool
With a mind of its own, no tellin what it might do
Mess with my loot and it might pop
It might lock, it might not, it might SHOOT~!
And it's not the chance to take, just like it's not the answer
Who out for the paper? Hands UP
Lay back and pay that dancer
Holla if you ever been placed in handcuffs
Survival the name of the game, you wanna play?
You wanna race don't wait for the bang!
Compare 2Pac's "Ambitionz az a Ridah" with "Benda's Got a Baby". Compare Biggie's "Juicy" with "Me and my Bitch". Compare OutKast's "Crumblin' Erb" with "Return of the 'G'".
In conclusion, there is no difference between hip hop music and rap music just as there is no difference between a movie and a film. They are in fact synonyms.
60 - Seanster
People are getting confused about what is hip hop and what is rap. the interpretation between the two doesnt matter. what really matters is being able to distinguish who produces quality music.
Now my personal interpretation is that hip hip, is the quality music, while rap, is just run and produced by a bunch of sell out ignorant ass people.
I could say a lot more on this issue, but i wont. so as long as people are still able to distinguish what is good music vs bad music, then i'm fine.
61 - DKSE
Hip Hop is silly:money, hoes, wiggers. Rap is serious: theft, murder, rough childhood.
62 - Dolly Diddit
I've tried.. REALLY tried to understand what people find so inspiring about rap or hiphop but I've never heard a single creation of either worth listening to. There's no difference between them if it all comes out as raucous word noise, spat down the microphone of some obese black dude or some skinny white virgin wannabe. There's no obvious point to it other than to brag and challenge. There's no talent at all in that. Everyone just copies everyone else and it's meaningless noise.
63 - artist
A hip hop performance therefore, may or may not include a rap song while a rap song may be performed without the hip hop dance and music. Rap is just the vocal part of an entire hip hop performance.
From Difference Between Hiphop and Rap
64 - YounG
Hip Hop is all tha bullshit they play on tha radio (New Boyz,SouljaBoy,GS Boys, all tha otha lames) Rap is tha REAL music over beats such as 2pac's music or BiGGie's music...jus my opinion...oh an GUCCI MANE is tha WORST rapper 2 eva live...he's killn HIP HOP by himself...nt hatn but its tha truth
65 - RC
From what I read here, It just seems like rap is a part of the hip hop culture. So when a rap artist makes a bad song, hes not just ruining rap but hip hop as well... It's like hip hop is the tree and rap is a branch. At least that's how I understand it.
66 - Tha Trump
Ok this is what I'm getting:
RAP is ending! All the best rappers (Tupac, Biggie, etc.) are gone. The only rapper left alive is the Old Skool rappers still alive. And not all of them are good. Ludacris is a RAPPER!
Hip Hop is what you hear today! One thing that i noticed is that hip hop always changes. It changes to fit the generation and the style. And by the way lil wayne is not stupid he just has really good wordplay.
Personally I like both of em
I was able to get this from all the comments i just read but i still dont know the difference.
67 - Tamiqa
Rappers just like to mouth off and showcase their illiteracy. The hip hop culture-lifestyle serves only to highlight all the negative stereotypes.
68 - Tyrell
Finally, the right answer. It is all offensive.
69 - Rasputin
They are both dead, just like punk. However, there is a slight difference, as the hip-hop culture was smothered by the attentions of "underground" rappers, art-school taggers, and the like, who then proceeded to dress its corpse up in a rainbow-colored dashiki, while rap was knocked senseless by a mob of Wal-Mart shoppers, then shanked repeatedly and dressed up in a pimp costume by BET executives.
Another difference is that rap is kept "alive" by the chosen few in order to help raise money for child support payments and Escalades, while those who pretend hip-hop is still alive mainly do so to justify lame Dj-ing, garishly colored shoes, backpacks in clubs, and the occasional stupid hat.
70 - poopymcpoopinstein
rap is evolved from hip hop
71 - ujguyjguyjg
Well to be honest the answer is right cause um lil wayne yes is rap but aton of his songs are labeled as hip hop why because hip hop is rap with a softer message than the rest of rap it's a way of being politically correct
72 - ujguyjguyjg
and if you honestly go back rap was first and came from the prisons and african American soldiers writing poems back to there families where they began to be sung by the families and friends
73 - shut the f'up
Rap is everythin, its deep and its very original.
Hip Hop has more of dancing beats even if it doesnot make sense.
Rap is the soul and hip-hop is just culture.
74 - shut the f'up
if yo ol lookin for a difference bw rap and hip hop then leme telya ol rap is very meaningful and deep.
The main differnece is hip hop makes yo dance caz it got beats and rythem in it but rap is a rhyme combined with a lot of meaning and emotions.
Rap olways tells bout someone's life, motive of anything inspirational.
Hip Hop is a complete culture and rap is compelte music.
75 - fashionlover
Im just annoyed that some ppl are forgetting hip hop like I watched 106 n park today and couldn't believe the audience honestly thought lil wayne was a better legend than tupac like wtf is wrong wit this generation..tupac was a lyricist and eduactional..wayne raps about money sex n weed whoopdee doo! He hasn't done anything to earn that honor...there really isn't a #1 rapper no one has made an impact on me.. rap sucks hip hop is better..its intellectual, its mos def, black thought, common, lauryn hill and so on...that's what hip hop is to me.