Experimental Hip Hop
Hip hop is a genre that has been around for many decades. During this time, it has undergone numerous changes and has been transformed into many sub-genres. One of the most recent of these sub-genres is Experimental Hip Hop.
Experimental Hip Hop is a sub-genre of hip hop that is known for its unconventional approach to songwriting and production. This sub-genre is characterized by the use of abstract and unusual sounds, as well as the incorporation of elements from other genres such as jazz, rock, and electronic.
To fully understand Experimental Hip Hop, it's important to understand its origins. This sub-genre emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during a time when other experimental genres such as IDM and glitch were also gaining popularity. At this time, hip hop was starting to become somewhat stagnant, with many artists using similar beats and patterns in their music.
Experimental Hip Hop arose as a response to this stagnation, with artists seeking to push the boundaries of what was possible within the genre. One of the most influential early Experimental Hip Hop acts was the Anticon collective, which included artists such as Doseone and Why?. These artists were known for their unconventional song structures, obscure lyrics, and the use of distorted and manipulated sounds.
Another key figure in the development of Experimental Hip Hop was El-P, who released a series of groundbreaking albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s. El-P's music was notable for its heavy use of electronic instrumentation and its dense, layered production style.
One of the defining features of Experimental Hip Hop is its embrace of the avant-garde. Many Experimental Hip Hop artists take inspiration from contemporary art movements such as postmodernism and surrealism, and incorporate elements of these movements into their music. This leads to a sound that is often disorienting and challenging, but also deeply rewarding for those who are attuned to it.
Another key aspect of Experimental Hip Hop is its political and social commentary. Many artists in this sub-genre use their music to critique societal ills such as racism, police brutality, and economic inequality. This has led to the emergence of a thriving underground Experimental Hip Hop scene, with many artists eschewing commercial success in favor of staying true to their artistic vision.
One of the most prominent Experimental Hip Hop acts of recent years is Death Grips. This band, which consists of MC Ride, Zach Hill, and Andy Morin, has gained a devoted following thanks to its confrontational lyrics and abrasive sound. Death Grips' music is notable for its use of distorted sounds and aggressive drum programming, as well as MC Ride's unconventional vocal delivery.
Other notable Experimental Hip Hop acts include Shabazz Palaces, clipping., and JPEGMafia. Shabazz Palaces, led by Ishmael Butler, gained critical acclaim for its 2011 debut album Black Up, which featured intricate beats and esoteric lyrics. clipping., which features actor and rapper Daveed Diggs, is known for its use of harsh noise and glitchy soundscapes. JPEGMafia, meanwhile, has been gaining critical acclaim for his boundary-pushing, politically charged music that blends elements of Experimental Hip Hop with noise, punk, and other genres.
In conclusion, Experimental Hip Hop is a fascinating sub-genre of hip hop that is characterized by its use of unconventional sounds and song structures. This sub-genre has emerged as a response to the stagnation of traditional hip hop, and has since become an important avenue for artists to explore new creative possibilities. While Experimental Hip Hop may not always be immediately accessible, it is a rewarding and vital part of contemporary music culture.