How Heavy Metal Music Has Influenced Hip Hop
How Heavy Metal Music Has Influenced Hip Hop
Heavy metal music has had a profound influence on hip hop music. This is evident in the way that many hip hop artists incorporate metal elements into their music. In this blog post, we take a look at how heavy metal music has influenced hip hop.
The Birth of Hip Hop
Heavy metal music has always been about rebellion. It’s about being loud, aggressive, and most importantly, different. For years, metalheads have been looked down upon by society. They’ve been called outcasts, Satanists, and every other name you can think of. But what many people don’t know is that without metal, we wouldn’t have hip hop.
Hip hop’s roots in Jamaican dub and toasting
Hip hop’s roots are in Jamaican dub and toasting, two popular forms of Jamaican music that were both heavily influenced by American R&B and jazz. Jamaican toasting, which was originally developed as a way for DJs to entertain crowds at parties, is a form of rapid-fire spoken word rhyming that sounds a lot like rap. Dub is a type of Jamaican music that arose in the 1970s and is characterized by its heavy use of bass and drums.
Hip hop’s debt to African American oral traditions
Hip hop is undeniably one of the most popular music genres in the world today, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is also one of the youngest genres, having emerged from the African American oral traditions of the Bronx in New York City in the 1970s.
While there are many elements that contribute to the sound and feel of hip hop, one of its most important influences is heavy metal music. From the early days of hip hop, DJs and MCs often used heavy metal records to provide the soundtrack for their parties and performances. Heavy metal’s aggressive sound and attitude meshed perfectly with the energy and spirit of hip hop.
In addition to being a musical influence, heavy metal has also been a major source of inspiration for many hip hop artists. Rap groups like Run-DMC and Public Enemy drew heavily from metal bands like Metallica and Slayer in both their music and their image. Hip hop artists have also been known to sample metal songs or use samples from metal albums in their own tracks.
While it is clear that hip hop has been heavily influenced by heavy metal, it is important to remember that this is just one element of the genre’s vast and diverse history. Hip hop has been shaped by many different styles of music, from jazz and soul to pop and rock. At its core, hip hop is about creativity, self-expression, and having fun. Whether you’re a fan of Drake or Death Grips, there’s a little bit of hip hop for everyone to enjoy.
The Influence of Heavy Metal
The aggressive sound of metal
It’s no secret that hip hop has been influenced by heavy metal music. From the early days of Public Enemy and Beastie Boys, to the more recent emergence of hardcore rap artists like Eminem and Wiz Khalifa, metal has had a significant impact on the development of hip hop.
There are several reasons for this influence. First, metal is an aggressive andrhythmic genre of music that is often characterized by loud, distorted guitars and pounding drums. This sound fits well with the energetic and often violent lyrics of many rap songs. Additionally, both genres share a DIY sensibility and a rebellious attitude that appeals to many young people.
Metal also offers rappers a wide range of sonic possibilities to explore. The use of effects like echo and reverb can create an otherworldly feeling, while the heavy guitars can provide a powerful backdrop for the rapper’s vocals. In some cases, metal musicians have even collaborated with rappers, as on Eye Empire’s “I Pray” which features guest vocals from Corey Taylor of Slipknot.
So next time you’re bouncing along to your favorite hip hop song, take a moment to appreciate the heavy metal influences that helped make it possible.
The use of metal samples in hip hop
Heavy metal music has had a significant influence on hip hop music. Sampling is one of the most common ways that hip hop artists have incorporated metal into their music. Metal samples can be found in songs by some of the most influential and popular hip hop artists, including Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and Eminem.
One of the earliest examples of metal sampling in hip hop comes from Run-DMC’s “Rock Box.” The song samples Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law.” Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise” samples Slayer’s “Raining Blood.” The Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right” samples Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song.” Eminem’s “My Name Is” samples Rage Against the Machine’s “Killin in the Name.”
These examples show how metal samples have been used to create some of the most memorable and iconic hip hop songs. Metal sampling has helped to create a unique sound for hip hop music and has contributed to its popularity.
The Impact of Heavy Metal on Hip Hop
Heavy metal music has had a profound influence on hip hop. Early hip hop artists were heavily influenced by the sounds and aesthetics of metal bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. This influence can be heard in the music of early hip hop artists like Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy. The heavy metal influence on hip hop is still evident in the music of contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator.
The popularity of metal-influenced hip hop
Since the early 1990s, metal-influenced hip hop, or rap metal, has been increasing in popularity. The genre combines elements of hip hop and heavy metal, and is often characterized by aggressive lyrics and rhythms. While metal-influenced hip hop is not as mainstream as other genres of hip hop, it has had a significant impact on the music industry.
In the early 1990s, groups such as Rage Against the Machine and Limp Bizkit popularized the genre with their mix of rap and metal. Since then, numerous other artists have followed suit, including Kid Rock, Linkin Park, and Eminem. The popularity of metal-influenced hip hop has led to the formation of subgenres such as nu metal and rapcore.
While metal-influenced hip hop is not for everyone, the genre has had a significant impact on the music industry. The popularity of the genre has led to the formation of subgenres, and has even influenced other genres of music.
The critical reception of metal-influenced hip hop
Since the early 2000s, metal-influenced hip hop, or rap metal, has been subject to much criticism. Critics have accused the genre of being nothing more than a teenage phase, or an attempt by white artists to appropriate black culture. Others have simply dismissed it as a foolish trend that will never amount to anything.
However, there are those who see value in metal-influenced hip hop. These people argue that the genre is a valid form of expression, and that it has the potential to be a powerful tool for social change. They point to the fact that many of the most popular metal-influenced hip hop artists are young people of color who are using their music to speak out against racism, violence, and other social ills.
Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying that metal-influenced hip hop is here to stay. Only time will tell if it will ultimately be embraced by the mainstream or condemned to the underground.
