Discover the Best Alternative Hip Hop Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Discover the Best Alternative Hip Hop Music is a site that helps you find new and upcoming hip hop artists that are making waves in the industry.

Defining Alternative Hip Hop

There are a lot of different definitions for alternative hip hop music. Some people say it’s music that breaks the mold of what is considered mainstream hip hop. Others define it as music that is created outside of the traditional record label system. Whatever the definition, alternative hip hop is a genre that is constantly evolving.

What is alternative hip hop?

Alternative hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop that encompasses a wide range of styles and influences. While it is often experimental and experimental, alternative hip hop often incorporates elements of other genres, including jazz, funk, rock, and even electronic music. Alternative hip hop artists are often united by their DIY ethic and their commitment to social and political issues.

The history of alternative hip hop

Alternative hip hop is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, characterized by a more experimental sound than that of mainstream hip hop. Some of the key artists associated with the genre include Afrika Bambaataa, De La Soul, Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys.

The term “alternative hip hop” is used to describe a wide range of styles, from more experimental and abstract music to down-tempo and jazzy beats. In general, alternative hip hop is less focused on traditional rap tropes such as gang violence and materialism, and more on social commentary, personal expression, and creative experimentation.

While the genre is often thought of as being synonymous with underground hip hop, there have been many alternative hip hop artists who have enjoyed mainstream success, such as Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest, and Kendrick Lamar.

The Best Alternative Hip Hop Artists

There are a lot of great alternative hip hop artists out there who are making some great music. In this article, we will discover some of the best alternative hip hop artists and their music.

Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock is one of the most successful and prolific alternative hip hop artists of all time. His unique and innovative style has earned him critical acclaim and a huge following among fans of independent and underground music. Aesop Rock’s lyrics are highly intelligent and often dense, making his music challenging and rewarding in equal measure. If you’re looking for something different in hip hop, Aesop Rock is well worth checking out.

El-P

El-P, born Jaime Meline in Brooklyn, New York, is a producer, label head, and emcee who has been involved in the alternative hip hop scene since the early 1990s. He is the founder and CEO of independent record label Definitive Jux (Def Jux), home to artists such as Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, and Cannibal Ox. He has released three solo albums – Fantastic Damage (2002), I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead (2007), and Cancer 4 Cure (2012) – as well as two collaborative albums with rapper/producer Killer Mike under the name Run the Jewels. El-P’s music is characterized by dark beats and lyrics that often tackle social and political issues.

MF DOOM

MF DOOM is one of the most prolific and enigmatic rappers of our generation. His unique style, which blends elements of alternative hip hop, nerdcore, and horrorcore, has earned him a cult following among underground rap fans.

Born in London to a Zimbabwean mother and a Jamaican father, MF DOOM (real name Daniel Dumile) moved to Long Island, New York as a child. He began his rap career in the early 1990s as a member of the trio KMD. The group’s debut album Mr. Hood (1991) was a critical success, but its follow-up Black Bastards (1993) was shelved by their record label and never officially released.

Following the disbandment of KMD, Dumile retreated from the public eye for several years. He resurfaced in the late 1990s as MF DOOM, donning a metal mask inspired by the Marvel Comics character Doctor Doom. This persona became his trademark, and he has used it to release some of the most innovative and respected hip hop albums of our time.

Notably, MF DOOM’s 2004 album Mm..Food is entirely composed of food-related puns and references. His 2006 album Killah Saucey Pack includes tracks like “Rice Krispies” and “Chicken & Waffles.” In 2009, he collaborated with indie rock band Madvillain on their critically acclaimed album Madvillainy.

MF DOOM’s most recent album is 2013’s Doomsday. It is one of his darkest and most personal releases, with tracks like “Gazzillion Ear” exploring his current feelings about fame and fortune. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just getting into alternative hip hop, MF DOOM is an artist that you need to check out.

Odd Future

Odd Future is an American hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California. The group is composed of rappers, singers, songwriters, and producers who are all signed to Odd Future Records. The collective was founded in 2007 by Tyler, the Creator and Hodgy Beats, and has since grown to include Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, Mike G, Domo Genesis, Left Brain, Syd tha Kyd, Matt Martians, and others.

Odd Future’s music is often characterized by its confrontational style, sinuous melodies, and dark humor. The group has been praised for its unique sound and DIY ethic; Pitchfork called them “one of the most exciting groups in music today.” In 2011, the New York Times named Odd Future “one of the most influential groups of the last decade.”

Run the Jewels

If you’re a fan of alternative hip hop, then you’ve probably heard of Run the Jewels. This dynamic duo, made up of rappers El-P and Killer Mike, has been making waves in the music industry since their first album release in 2013.

Run the Jewels emerged on the scene as an independent hip hop group with a fresh sound and an edgy style. Their music is characterized by its hard-hitting beats, intelligent lyrics, and dark sense of humor. Since their debut, Run the Jewels have released three critically-acclaimed albums, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

If you’re looking for something new and exciting in the world of alternative hip hop, then you need to check out Run the Jewels. You won’t be disappointed!

The Future of Alternative Hip Hop

You may be wondering what the future of alternative hip hop music is. With the current state of the music industry, it is hard to say. The industry is ever-changing and evolving, so it is hard to predict what will happen. However, there are some things that we can look at to get an idea of what the future might hold.

Where is alternative hip hop headed?

The term “alternative hip hop” is used to describe hip hop artists that don’t conform to mainstream commercial hip hop. This can include artist that are on independent labels, or artist that have a more experimental or underground sound.

If you look at the history of alternative hip hop, you can see that the genre has always been about pushing the boundaries and expanding what is possible within hip hop. In the early days, alternative hip hop was about creating new sounds and styles that were different from what was being played on the radio. This was done by using different instruments, or by sampling obscure records.

Today, alternative hip hop is still about innovation and expanding the boundaries of what is possible within the genre. However, it has also become about much more than just the music. Alternative hip hop artists are often deeply involved in social and political issues, and their music often reflects this.

So where is alternative hip hop headed in the future? It’s hard to say for sure, but one thing is certain: it will continue to be a genre that challenges convention and pushes boundaries.

The rise of independent hip hop

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of independent hip hop, as opposed to the mainstream variety. This is in part due to the success of alternative hip hop artists like Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar, who have managed to achieve mainstream success while staying true to their independent roots.

Independent hip hop is typically defined as music that is released by small labels or self-released by the artists themselves. This allows for a greater degree of creative freedom, as the artists are not beholden to the demands of a major label.

One of the most notable things about independent hip hop is the DIY ethic that many artists adhere to. This means that they often produce, record, and promote their own music, without the help of a major label. This allows them to maintain complete control over their artistry, and results in a more authentic and personal sound.

There are many reasons why independent hip hop is on the rise. One is that it offers an alternative to the often cookie-cutter music that is churned out by major labels. Another is that it gives up-and-coming artists a platform to showcase their talents. And finally, it provides listeners with an alternative to the mainstream hip hop that dominates the airwaves.

The popularity of alternative hip hop

Alternative hip hop, sometimes known as underground hip hop, is a subgenre of hip hop music that includes artists who don’t conform to mainstream industry standards. These artists often explore unconventional themes and subject matter, and they often have a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to production.

Alternative hip hop began in the 1980s, when artists like Beastie Boys and Run-DMC began to experiment with new sounds and styles. In the 1990s, alternative hip hop really took off, with artists like OutKast, DJ Premier, and A Tribe Called Quest helping to define the genre. Since then, alternative hip hop has continued to evolve, with new subgenres and styles emerging all the time.

In recent years, alternative hip hop has become more popular than ever before. Thanks to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, underground artists are now able to reach a wider audience than ever before. At the same time, mainstream rap has become increasingly experimental, incorporating elements of alternative hip hop into mainstream hits.

As alternative hip hop continues to grow in popularity, it’s sure to have a major impact on the future of music. So if you’re looking for something new and different, be sure to check out some of the best alternative hip hop music today.

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