Boom Bap
Known for its classic, sample-based production and lyrically dense content, often associated with the golden age of hip-hop.
- Notable Musicians: Nas, Big L, DJ Premier
- Nas - "Illmatic"
- Gang Starr - "Moment of Truth"
- Big L - "Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous"
- Pete Rock & CL Smooth - "Mecca and the Soul Brother"
- Jeru the Damaja - "The Sun Rises in the East"
Gangsta Rap
Focuses on street life, crime, and the struggles of Black communities, often featuring gritty and explicit lyrics.
- Notable Musicians: N.W.A, Ice-T, Tupac Shakur
- N.W.A - "Straight Outta Compton"
- Ice-T - "Power"
- Dr. Dre - "The Chronic"
- Notorious B.I.G. - "Ready to Die"
- 2Pac - "All Eyez on Me"
Trap
Features heavy use of 808 drum machines, hi-hats, and dark, atmospheric beats. Known for its sub-bass and lyrics about drug dealing and street life.
- Notable Musicians: Gucci Mane, Future, Migos
- T.I. - "Trap Muzik"
- Gucci Mane - "The State vs. Radric Davis"
- Future - "DS2"
- Migos - "Culture"
- Young Jeezy - "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101"
Mumble Rap
A term used to describe a subgenre of hip-hop characterized by its focus on melodic flows, repetitive lyrics, and the use of auto-tune. While it's a controversial term and not all artists associated with this style identify with it, here are notable musicians within the broader category
- Notable Musicians: Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Playboi Carti, Young Thug
- Future - "DS2" (Dirty Sprite 2)
- Lil Uzi Vert - "Luv Is Rage 2"
- Lil Yachty - "Teenage Emotions"
- Playboi Carti - "Die Lit"
- Young Thug - "Jeffery"
Conscious Rap
Addresses social and political issues, promoting positive messages, and often highlighting themes of empowerment and social justice.
- Notable Musicians: Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Kendrick Lamar
- Common - "Resurrection"
- Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek - "Train of Thought"
- Mos Def - "Black on Both Sides"
- The Roots - "Things Fall Apart"
- Kendrick Lamar - "To Pimp a Butterfly"
Horrorcore
Combines elements of horror and rap, often featuring dark and macabre lyrics, and imagery inspired by horror movies.
- Notable Musicians: Insane Clown Posse, Brotha Lynch Hung, Gravediggaz
- Insane Clown Posse - "The Great Milenko"
- Brotha Lynch Hung - "Season of da Siccness"
- Gravediggaz - "6 Feet Deep" (also known as "Niggamortis")
- Esham - "KKKill the Fetus"
- Three 6 Mafia - "Mystic Stylez"
Alternative Hip-Hop
Incorporates unconventional elements and diverse influences, including rock, electronic, and experimental music.
- Notable Musicians: OutKast, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde
- OutKast - "ATLiens"
- A Tribe Called Quest - "The Low End Theory"
- The Pharcyde - "Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde"
- De La Soul - "3 Feet High and Rising"
- Beastie Boys - "Paul's Boutique"
Southern Hip-Hop
Originating in the southern United States, it includes subgenres like Crunk, Dirty South, and Houston Hip-Hop, known for its heavy bass and regional styles.
- Notable Musicians: OutKast, UGK, Scarface, Three 6 Mafia
- UGK - "Ridin' Dirty"
- Scarface - "The Diary"
- Three 6 Mafia - "Mystic Stylez"
- Goodie Mob - "Soul Food"
- OutKast - "Aquemini"
East Coast Hip-Hop
Hails from the eastern United States, particularly New York City, and is known for its lyricism and boom bap production.
- Notable Musicians: Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z
- Wu-Tang Clan - "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)"
- The Notorious B.I.G. - "Ready to Die"
- Nas - "Illmatic"
- Jay-Z - "Reasonable Doubt"
- Rakim - "Paid in Full"
West Coast Hip-Hop
Originated in the western United States, characterized by a laid-back, funk-influenced sound and G-funk production.
- Notable Musicians: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube
- Dr. Dre - "The Chronic"
- Snoop Doggy Dogg - "Doggystyle"
- Ice Cube - "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted"
- N.W.A - "Straight Outta Compton"
- 2Pac - "All Eyez on Me"
UK Grime
Emerged in the UK, known for its rapid-fire delivery, dark beats, and often politically charged lyrics.
- Notable Musicians: Skepta, Stormzy, Wiley
- Skepta - "Konnichiwa"
- Dizzee Rascal - "Boy in da Corner"
- Wiley - "Playtime Is Over"
- Stormzy - "Gang Signs & Prayer"
- Kano - "Made in the Manor"
Drill
Originating in Chicago, drill music is characterized by its aggressive beats, violent lyrics, and raw storytelling.
- Notable Musicians: Chief Keef, Lil Durk, G Herbo, King Von, Fredo Santana
- Chief Keef - "Finally Rich"
- Lil Durk - "Signed to the Streets"
- G Herbo - "Humble Beast"
- King Von - "Welcome to O'Block"
- Fredo Santana - "Trappin Ain't Dead"
Afrobeat Rap
Combines elements of African music with hip-hop, often featuring Afrobeat rhythms and themes of African identity and culture.
- Notable Musicians: Fela Kuti, Burna Boy, Wizkid
- Fela Kuti - "Zombie"
- Burna Boy - "African Giant"
- Wizkid - "Ayo"
- Afro B - "Afrowave 3"
- Mr Eazi - "Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2: Lagos to London
Experimental Hip-Hop
Pushes the boundaries of traditional hip-hop with unconventional production, lyrics, and avant-garde elements.
- Notable Musicians: MF DOOM, Flying Lotus, Shabazz Palaces, Earl Sweatshirt, Death Grips, Aesop Rock
- Madvillain (MF DOOM & Madlib) - "Madvillainy"
- Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma"
- Shabazz Palaces - "Black Up"
- Death Grips - "The Money Store"
- Aesop Rock - "Labor Days"
- Earl Sweatshirt - "Some Rap Songs"
Trap Metal
Combines elements of trap and heavy metal, featuring aggressive beats, distorted guitar riffs, and intense, emotional lyrics.
- Notable Musicians: XXXTentacion, Scarlxrd, Ghostemane
- XXXTentacion - "17"
- Scarlxrd - "DXXM"
- Ghostemane - "N/O/I/S/E"
- City Morgue - "City Morgue Vol. 2: As Good As Dead"
- ZillaKami - "DOG BOY"
Jazz Rap
Incorporates elements of jazz, such as improvisational instrumentation and complex rhythms, into its musical and lyrical composition, resulting in a fusion of two distinct but complementary musical worlds.
- Notable Musicians: A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, The Roots
- A Tribe Called Quest - "The Low End Theory"
- Digable Planets - "Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)"
- The Roots - "Things Fall Apart"
- De La Soul - "Buhloone Mindstate"
- Guru - "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1"
Reggaeton
A genre of Latin music characterized by its fusion of Caribbean rhythms, dancehall beats, and Spanish-language lyrics, known for its infectious and rhythmic dance appeal.
- Notable Musicians: Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Bad Bunny
- Daddy Yankee - "Barrio Fino"
- Don Omar - "The Last Don"
- Tego Calderón - "El Abayarde"
- Wisin & Yandel - "Pa'l Mundo"
- Bad Bunny - "X 100pre"
