/r/altrap
A place to discuss, share and enjoy alternative rap and hip-hop.
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WELCOME TO ALTRAP
A place to discuss, share and enjoy alternative rap and hip-hop.
We have but one rule; keep the focus on alternative.
If your submission gets caught up in the spam filter just give me a shout.
Keep listening to music that moves something inside of you instead of what the radio feeds you.
If you want to post your own content - please use the 'self-post' monthly thread stickied on the front page instead of posting a new link directly into the subreddit.
Also, be sure to check out:
/r/altrap
11,641 Subscribers
POST YOUR OWN MATERIAL HERE - NOVEMBER 2024
This monthly thread is the place for anyone wanting to share their own content - music, blogs, articles, podcasts, etc!
Please note that any self-made content posted outside of this thread will be removed.
Previous posts:
2024
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2020
16:39 UTC
Buck 65 - Phil
13:29 UTC
Nujabes - battlecry (ft. Shing02)
07:38 UTC
Captain Murphy - Mighty Morphin Foreskin
13:26 UTC
Any cool Alt Rap Record Labels I should check out?
Up and coming or established?
22:22 UTC
The Beauty of Ambient Hip Hop
Ambient music is atmospheric and immersive in nature, playing with dreamlike or eerie tones. The minimalist production of ambient music allows for a spacious sound and feel, enhancing the immersion and allowing the listener to fit into the music.
But what happens when you fuse the spacious and atmospheric nature of ambient music, with the beats and raps of hip hop?
808s in ambient music is nothing new. Downtempo and trip hop had already experimented with ambient textures, mixed with chill beats.The trip hop scene in the mid to late 90s very much pioneered the atmospheric fusion with hip hop. Folks like DJ Shadow and DJ Krush took the hip hop template and decided to make it more cinematic and meditative. The 90s was also a time when ambient fusions were at an all time high. Genres like Intelligent Drum & Bass, Ambient house, Ambient techno, Chill-out and Downtempo were rocking the underground scenes.
So, it was about time that hip hop and rap music joined the spaced out corners of ambient music.
Ambient hip hop (which would become interchangeable with cloud rap) is a match made in surreal heaven. Not only the sound, but also the aesthetic. Breakbeats and raps over ambient melodies made for such a surreal fusion, as all the grit from Golden Age Hip Hop was washed clean with atmospheric soundscapes, as well as dreamy or eerie imagery.
And the aesthetic of ambient hip hop is also interesting. Despite the cleaner and otherworldy sound, album covers would still look grimy and the artists would still be rocking informal streetwear. Except, these ambient hip hop artists wouldn't be gangsters, wearing luxurious jewelry and driving lowriders. Instead, they would be a bunch of stoners, street artists, and skaters carrying around their drum machines & backpacks, as well as crate digging like it's a part time job.
While gangsta and hardcore rap was meant to raise awareness of the ghetto hard ships and the oppression of African-Americans, ambient hip hop was meant to take you on a surreal journey and clear your mind with the same tools used to make those hardcore records.
10:39 UTC
Flying Lotus - Zodiac Shit
15:28 UTC
I'm looking for obscure 2000's alt rap that I might have not heard.
I'm well versed in Def Jux stuff ie CanOx, Mr Lif, El-P, Aes, Murs etc. I'm looking for even more underground stuff as I love this era of alt rap and want to find more. Drop me some links please!
10:55 UTC
Deca & Dealz - "Caught in the Fray"
19:05 UTC
Saul Williams - Black History Month
15:04 UTC
POST YOUR OWN MATERIAL HERE - OCTOBER 2024
This monthly thread is the place for anyone wanting to share their own content - music, blogs, articles, podcasts, etc!
Please note that any self-made content posted outside of this thread will be removed.
Previous posts:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
15:02 UTC
slowsigh - WAY OUT
19:49 UTC
Some Alt Rap For The Summer
• Hieroglyphics - You Never Knew
• Souls of Mischief - '93 Til Infinity
• JPEGMAFIA - Grimy Waifu
• JPEGMAFIA - WHAT KINDA RAPPIN' IS THIS?
• Tyler, The Creator - Glitter
• BROCKHAMPTON - JOHNNY
• BROCKHAMPTON - Big Pussy
• Watsky - Don't Be Nice
• Mos Def - Speed Law
• A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour
• A$AP Rocky - Kids Turned Out Fine
• MF DOOM - One Beer
• Niko B - Who's That What's That?
• Flying Lotus - More (ft. Anderson .Paak)
• De La Soul - Eye Know
• Shabazz Palaces - Fast Learner
• Captain Murphy - Between Friends (ft. Earl Sweatshirt)
• Earl Sweatshirt - 2010
• Earl Sweatshirt - Inside
• Pink Siifu - Lng Hair Dnt Care
• Devon Hendryx - Generation Y 1989
• Devon Hendryx - Montebello High School Prom
• Samiyam - Hummus (ft. The Alchemist)
• VRITRA - FRENDZ
• Pyramid Vritra - Like Summer
• twenty øne piløts - Lavish
• twenty øne piløts - Lane Boy
• Del The Funky Homosapien - No Need For Alarm
• Topaz Jones - D.I.A.L
• Topaz Jones - Buggin
13:52 UTC
Fly Anakin - Sean Price (Official Video)
08:59 UTC
Upcoming Eyedea book announced
The Many Facets of Eyedea: Selected Writings & Oral History.
Published by Parker Pubs in collaboration with Kathy Averill.
More info coming soon...
00:01 UTC
Del The Funky Homosapien - Chunkin' [Manik Mondaze]
15:09 UTC
Saian Supa Crew - experimental 90s hip hop from France
09:42 UTC
Flying Lotus - More (feat. Anderson .Paak) [Official Video]
10:43 UTC
RIP Lux - The Quezon City Broadcast
19:56 UTC
Noah23 - Forever in a day
15:18 UTC
Leftside Deafinit (Bulleaf) - Half way saint
15:01 UTC
Thoughts on psychedelic hip hop & stoner raps?
For someone who doesn't use psychedelics, or any recreational drugs & alcohol for that matter, I have this weirdly passionate relationship with psychedelic music.
I'm very much into surrealism and the dreamlike experience, which makes the psychedelic aesthetic strike a certain chord with me.
So, the idea of fusing psychedelic music with raps or hip hop beats has always led to the microgenre being one of my top favorites in the world of alternative hip hop.
How do guys feel about the trippy adventures of psych-rap?
18:16 UTC
Flying Lotus - Between Friends (ft. Earl Sweatshirt)
A nice little throwback to one of my favorite psychedelic bops.
18:05 UTC
POST YOUR OWN MATERIAL HERE - SEPTEMBER 2024
This monthly thread is the place for anyone wanting to share their own content - music, blogs, articles, podcasts, etc!
Please note that any self-made content posted outside of this thread will be removed.
Previous posts:
2024
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2021
2020
14:39 UTC
Saafir - Light Sleeper
01:53 UTC
Understanding Alternative Hip-hop (a discussion)
I was bored and so I decided to analyze what I know about alternative hip hop, as an alt-rapper myself who loves this subgenre with a passion - I feel at home.
Definition
A subgenre of hip hop that mostly relies on fusing with other genres that aren't traditionally affiliated with mainstream hip hop. Also known as experimental hip hop, alternative hip hop is left-field and eccentric in its production and lyrical nature.
The subgenre was birthed when hip hop finally established itself within the mainstream.
Mainstream hip hop was publicly known for its gangster, luxurious and club aesthetic - which is still the mainstream image and stereotype today. But, alternative hip hop mostly subverts or defies these expectations and stereotypes. The aesthetic of alternative hip hop ranges from skaters & stoners to surrealists & punks.
And while the mainstream stuck to fairly simplistic, catchy and upbeat tunes, alt-rap was unorthodox and inspiringly diverse within in its many styles and fusions that teared down the walls of hip hop boundaries.
Culture & Movement
Alternative and underground hip hop are almost synonymous in terms of cultural lifestyle and aesthetic - similar to alt and indie rock - in that they are mostly anti-commercial or mildly luxurious in their approach, settling for more DIY and artistic efforts.
But while underground rappers mainly stay in line with hip hop's meaningful tradition, alternative rappers are a lot more flexible in terms od fashion and lifestyle. Hell, there are many alt-rappers that don't even look like rappers.
Because of that, the alt-rap movement is a lot more relatable than most mainstream hip hop spaces, and more appealing to fans who aren't into traditional hip hop - which is why you’ll see many indie/alternative music fans gravitate towards folks like Hieroglyphics, Odd Future, BROCKHAMPTON, Def Jux and Deathbomb Arc.
It all starts with the lyrical nature and themes, as well as the sound and fusions within alternative hip hop.
Alt Styles
The term "alternative hip hop" is a broad umbrella of a large variety of left-field and unconventional styles, therefore it is very vague.
Throughout the years, hip hop has merged with many different styles and genres - with some not only gaining popularity, but being accepted in the mainstream as a sort of staple (like jazz rap). But then are other fusions that may seem alternative, but almost immediately broke into the mainstream and became pop-rap mainstays, like emo rap or 2010s cloud rap, even if they are still a bit left-field compared to the regular hip hop scene.
As for the fusions that still remain in the left-field, we have things like rap rock/punk rap, psychedelic hip hop, reggae rap, avant-jazz/drumless rap, industrial hip hop, glitch-hop, rapping on trip hop beats, electro-hop, and ambient hip hop/early cloud rap renditions.
Rap rock/punk rap merges the brash and rebellious nature of rock and punk with the poetic lyricism of hip hop/rap.
Psychedelic hip hop merges all types of psychedelic subgenres into a hip hop structure. Whether it's acid jazz, psychedelic rock, certain renditions of trip hop, or even IDM (intelligent dance music). Cloud rap sometimes also finds its way into psychedelic hip hop, as they both share dizzying and surreal characteristics to similar effects in the hip hop formula.
Reggae fusion with hip hop is personified by its rastafarian-like vocal delivery and the reggae rhythms mixed with hip hop beats and rap delivery.
Avant-jazz rap, or drumless jazz/soul beats, is a recent 2010s phenomenon in the alternative and underground hip hop scene. Rapping over jazz and soulful loops without any notable drums or where the kicks are on the more softer side.
Industrial hip hop, also known as noise rap, is the poster boy of "experimental" hip hop. It's hip hop in its most alienating, abrasive and darkest form. Taking the harsh elements of industrial and noise music and placing them into a hip hop mandate. Leaving you with the question: "Is this even hip hop?" Industrial hip hop sometimes merges with punk rap, as well.
Glitch-hop is rigid and very electronic in its sampling and production. Creating abrasive, digital or sometimes even confusing beats. Glitch-hop is mostly associated with electronic music than it is with hip hop music. But occasionally, some rappers or acts like Injury Reserve or JPEGMAFIA will tackle these glitchy styles.
Trip hop took the atmospheric and more surreal corners of experimental hip hop and branched off into a subgenre of downtempo music. During its heyday, some rappers would try out the trip hop sound - more notably, Kool Keith's Dr. Octagon. Although it was very short lived and barely any rappers take up the trip hop sound anymore.
Electro-hop is the fusion of hip hop and house or dance music. Also known as hip house, electro-hop has kind of died out in the alternative scene and mainstream in some regards. It seems that dub music is the replacement. Although JPEGMAFIA has recently been revisiting this style with projects like SCARING THE HOES and this year's I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU.
Lastly, ambient/cloud rap. Earlier renditions of cloud rap were accompanied by boom bap and off-kilter beats - best represented by cLOUDDEAD. Cloud rap then faded throughout the 2000s and was picked up again in the early 2010s when it was popularized by folks like Lil B, A$AP Rocky and Yung Lean. Cloud rap is no longer an alternative hip hop genre, but certain alt-rap figures blend ambience and hip hop within their works.
There are also some genres that have been long lost, such as hip hopera - which reached its peak with Deltron 3030 - where hip hop and opera composition fuse to create something cinematic and grander than hip hop.
[Verdict] In conclusion, alternative hip hop is a broad concept that houses a diverse load of unique hip hop goodness where there's something for everyone.
You're into indie electronic like Empire of the Sun or Toro Y Moi? Listen to Shabazz Palaces or [Pyramid] VRITRA.
You're into noise and punk-like abrasion like HEALTH or Ministry? Listen to Death Grips or clipping.
You're into those jazzier chords and softer sounds like The Dave Dubreck Quartet or Don Cherry? Listen to Nujabes or J Dilla.
You're into the cyberspace of electronics and plunderphonics like Amon Tobin and Pogo? Listen to El-P or Injury Reserve.
You get the point.
Alternative hip hop has become more than just jazz raps, political cries and reggae tunes. It's become an entire hub of hip hop experiments with left-field and outsider communities and fans supporting it.
And it shall continue.
16:07 UTC
Pop Smoke - Welcome To The Party Ft Skepta (Eenie Meenie Remix)
22:19 UTC
POST YOUR OWN MATERIAL HERE - AUGUST 2024
This monthly thread is the place for anyone wanting to share their own content - music, blogs, articles, podcasts, etc!
Please note that any self-made content posted outside of this thread will be removed.
Previous posts:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
21:42 UTC
CHERRY STONE - Prepare For The Calling
17:43 UTC
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