-
Period: to
1970's
In the beginning there wasn't really a lot of rap artists. It started to evolve in the late 1970's with The Sugar Hill Gang and The Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. -
DJ Kool Herc
DJ Kool Herc is known as being the inventor of rap. It all started when he extended an instrumental beat for people to dance longer and started MC'ing (rapping) over the extended part. Most of his music doesn't have rap verses or anything but he did rap at a back-to-school party which birthed rap. -
The Sugar Hill Gang
The Sugar Hill Gang had a very influential impact on the rap scene in the late 1970's. With their release of their most popular album "Rappers Delight" unleashed a flurry of new and hip sounds that painted the base rap. They were also one of only groups that produced rap music in the 1970's. Sugar Hill Gang -
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
The Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five had a very similar sound to The Sugar Hill Gang. One of their popular hits "Superappin" that set the stage for how rap is supposed to sound.
The Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five -
Period: to
1980's
Since we are in the 80's a ton of rap music contains the synthesizer. Rap music at the time gained sort of disco vibes. Rappers also started using drum machines since they were recently invented. -
LL COOl J
LL COOL J had a large impact on rap and how it sounds. One of his songs "Rock the Bells" sounds a lot like what you would expect old rap songs to sound like. In the recording you can hear the hip-hop/DJ vibe to it like hearing the classic record scratch sound for a fill in the song.
LL COOL J -
Kool Moe Dee
Kool Moe Dee was another rapper that had an impact on rap. His song "I Go to Work" has a weird funk sound to the groove which was very popular at the time. Also, since it's the 80's there was a lot of sounds in the mix which for me is pretty confusing but at the time that was very popular.
Kool Moe Dee -
Period: to
1990's
The 1990's is where rap really kicked off from being a genera that nobody talked about to being the only genera people talked about. Artists like Jay-Z, Snoop Dog, Dre, Eminem, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G. The amount of talent that came to the rap scene in the 90's is massive and too large to cover but I will cover what I deem most important. -
The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie's voice is by far the most nostalgic sounds in rap history. Biggie is known for merging gangsta rap with his hometown's hip-hop traditionalism. Most of his music had rugged beats, witty rhymes and an earthy street-corner worldview. His song "Juicy" talks about some of his struggles growing up.
Biggie -
Snoop Dog
Snoop Dogg first got his fame after collaborating with Dr. Dre. Snoop paved the way to a genera called G-Funk (gangster funk) but also added very illicit lyrics to his songs that involve smoking weed and also the use of the N word which is still used in rap today. His song "Still A G Thang" added new instruments like synths and deep bass grooves.
Snoop Dogg -
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre was one of the greatest producers in the 90's who produced for Eminem, 50 Cent, Eminem and 2PAC. Dr. Dre helped popularize gangster rap and also founded the group N.W.A in 1986. By far his most popular song "Still Dre" made one of the most popular riffs in rap history. The staccato piano style and mixing by Dre made the song a legendary classic.
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre -
Period: to
2000's
In the 2000's rappers started to incorporate different music styles to their music. Kid Cudi for example started using rock elements in his music. -
Eminem
Eminem is considered one of the greatest rappers in history because he was able to freestyle and craft creative rhymes that tell a story with ease. At the time rap was dominated by black artists and the fact that Eminem was white made it very difficult for him to gain followers. He signed with Dre and made "Till I Collapse". How fast Eminem could rap became a staple on his name and is one of the techniques he uses in a lot of his music. Eminem -
50 Cent
50 Cent is known for taking other peoples records and flipping them and redoing the hooks and verses making them his own. 50 Cent first came to fame after signing with Dre and releasing his "Get Rich or Die Tryin" album in 2003. One of his most popular songs "Many Men" speaks about an attempt on his life in 2000 where he was shot 9 times.
50 Cent -
Jay-Z
One way Jay-Z changed rap was by raising awareness about issues like police brutality, mass incarceration, and education reform in his music which had a large impact on society. His song "Numb/Encore" depicts the struggles faced by individuals in a society that pushes conformity and denies individuality.
Jay-Z -
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne had a significant impact on rap by using mixtapes to promote albums and how he would implement freestyles into song. He also combines intricate wordplay and clever metaphors into his freestyles. Wayne's song "Lollipop" is an example of his freestyle capability and general creativity.
Lil Wayne
I would also recommend listening to his more recent music to see how his music evolved. -
Period: to
2010's
Social media and streaming gave artists a greater opportunity to connect with their audiences. As well as new sounds and techniques gave artist unlimited creativity. -
Drake
Drake has brought exciting elements to rap that combines softer melodic sounds with more aggressive production elements. Drake has influenced many other rap artists. Drakes' song "One Dance" displays his ability to make catchy rhythms and creative lyrics.
Drake -
Kendrick Lemar
Kendrick Lamar is another highly praised influential artist. Kendrick Lamar is known for his cinematic storytelling, melodic cadences and artistic reinventions. His song "All the Stars" shows off his immense creativity.
Kendrick Lamar -
Kanye West
Kanye changed the culture of rap by breaking the stereotype that all rappers are gangsters and that they only rap about crime, money and drugs. Kanye is by far the greatest influence in rap history because of his revolutionary style and sound. His song "Ghost Town" adds new and creative elements that other artists would never have tried.
Kanye West -
Period: to
2020's
As of 2020 rap has become one of the most popular genres around. There are so many rap artists at the moment it became difficult who to pick. Rap has exploded into a rap/hip-hop supernova. -
Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow is the most popular white rapper since Eminem. Jack Harlow has a very good understanding of music and melody, but what drew most of the attention was just how down to earth he is. He is known for being very confident and humorous. His song "WHATS POPPIN" displays his deep lyrical understanding and powerful musical knowledge.
Jack Harlow -
Polo G
Polo G is known for his lyricism. He is able to sound strong and confident in one song then able to transition to sound sad and heartbreaking in the next. His song "RAPSTAR" is an example of him sounding confident and strong and "Through Da Strom" is an example of him sounding more sad
Polo G
Polo G -
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X is known as the most popular gay rap artist. Ever since coming out as gay he has inspired many people and in a lot of his music he talks about being free and having space to grow. His song "Industry Baby" was a number one hit for over a week and still stands as one of the best rap songs of this decade.
Lil Nas X -
DaBaby
DaBaby is known for his signature deep voice and bumping bass. His song "Rockstar" displays his loud bass and creative lyrics.
DaBaby