The (Rap)idly Changing Rap Music
Mrunmayee Mainkar & Bhakti Rupika Anand
FY BSc Economics (2024-28), SY BSc Economics (2023-27)
Estimated reading time ~ 5 minutes
If you haven’t heard rap or about rap, how does it feel to be the sole resident of Jupiter? In this day and age, it is genuinely impossible to be unaware about it.
Rap or Rhythmic Poetry (a backronym for the popular form of music), is now one of the most listened-to styles of music, having evolved from its humble beginnings in the hoods of Bronx in the late 1970s. Brought to the forefront by Sugar Hill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight in 1979, rap is now commonplace in the music industry across countries and languages, each song a perfect mix of rhythm, beats and storytelling.
Started as a fusion of African-American, Afro-Caribbean and Latin-American influences providing a voice for under-privileged communities, rap’s journey is a reflection of society itself—a mix of progress, challenges and endless creativity. It was a medium to keep youth away from drugs, trafficking, and gang violence, while also highlighting societal struggles. Artists like Tupac (the GOAT), Queen Latifah and Snoop Dogg used rap to discuss social injustice, racism, and the challenges faced by minorities. Even today, Eminem’s lyrical genius (if you haven’t heard Rap God what have you been doing?) and Kendrick Lamar’s powerful storytelling resonate with audiences worldwide.
As rap gained momentum, with the accompaniment of deejaying, graffiti painting and break dancing it gave rise to the broader cultural movement of Hip-Hop.
Despite its global success, rap music continues to face stigmatisation and censorship due to its unfiltered nature. A notable example is the FBI’s intervention with the rap group N.W.A. In 1989, the FBI sent a letter to N.W.A’s record label expressing disapproval of their song “F*** tha Police“, stating it encouraged violence against the police while it was only a reflection of their personal experiences with law enforcement. This action was perceived by many as an attempt to censor artistic expression and highlighted the challenges rap artists faced during that era. Additionally, the genre has had to contend with cultural appropriation, as its origins in marginalised communities are sometimes overshadowed by commercial interests.
Rap music has come way ahead from its classical period (1979-93) of building social consciousness to a more well known style: Gangsta Rap which is accessorised with rings, chains, violence, sexual innuendos and overall explicit undertones. This shift reflected not just artistic freedom but also the commercial potential of rap in mainstream entertainment.
Its influence extends beyond music, shaping fashion, language, and societal attitudes. Rap has created a global cultural phenomenon, inspiring movements in non-Western countries where artists use rap to address local issues. For instance, Indian rappers like Divine and Naezy have brought attention to urban struggles, while Korean rappers have popularised K-Hip-Hop worldwide. With nearly a quarter million listeners of rap (in 2023) the influence of their music on society cannot be ignored.
However, modern rap is not without criticism. Given the popularity of the rappers, it does have quite an impact on the youth, inadvertently or so. Glorifying drugs, smoking, drinking can induce many youths to indulge in them, as they tend to idolise the artists. Earlier, rap music used to be about the lifestyle of people, the aforementioned problems, social injustice and racism faced by the minorities. It was the type of music that was appropriate for all age groups, something everyone could resonate with. However, overtime, it has lost its individuality and expression to a generic explicit mix of lyrics.Yet, there remains hope in the rise of artists who stay true to rap’s essence, using their platform to inspire change.
Having undergone a rap-id (pun intended 😉 ) transformation since its inception in the 70’s, rap has gone from being the voice of marginalised coloured communities in America to becoming a global cultural phenomenon, growing in both influence and diversity. While the messages have changed, ranging from social issues to the glamour of the contemporary lifestyle, rap still retains the ability to connect with listeners through raw, unfiltered expression. As we continue to celebrate rap’s artistic freedom, it is crucial to recognize the impact it has on society and the power it holds to inspire change, both for better and worse.