Distinguishing Hip Hop & Rap

Hip hop and rap are terms that have been frequently interchanged, leading to a debate about their differences in terms of music genre and culture. The two have become almost synonymous as the music industry continues to evolve. However, music enthusiasts often argue that one is not the same as the other.

Hip hop originated in the early days in Bronx, New York, where the majority of the residents were African-American and of Hispanic lineage. It was in the 1970s that this music genre was conceived, emerging from the block parties that were prevalent in Harlem at the time. Hip hop is often defined as the main backbone that paved the way for other means of self-expression.

Rap is often considered one of the forms of self-expression that developed as the culture of hip hop was emerging. Initially, rap surfaced during those Bronx parties when DJs began to speak along with the beat to highlight a specific thought or deliver a socially conscious message. It is viewed as a combination of prose and poetry interwoven in a song.

Key Takeaways

• Hip hop is the main backbone that paved the way for other means of self-expression, originating from block parties in Harlem in the 1970s.
• Rap is one of the forms of self-expression that developed alongside the culture of hip hop, consisting of a combination of prose and poetry interwoven in a song.
• While hip hop and rap share similar beats, they differ in that hip hop is a reflection of light-heartedness and resilience, while rap can portray serious ideas or provide an outlet for thoughts that might be too offensive to be spoken directly.