Occult Hip Hop Music: What You Need to Know
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If you’re a fan of hip hop music, then you may have heard of the term “occult hip hop.” But what is it, exactly? In this article, we’ll explore the basics of occult hip hop music and what you need to know about it.
What is Occult Hip Hop?
Occult hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music that focuses on themes related to the occult, supernatural, and esoteric. This includes topics such as numerology, alchemy, magick, and Spiritualism. While there is no one defining sound of occult hip hop, artists often incorporate elements of trap, cloud rap, and witch house into their music.
The origins of occult hip hop can be traced back to the mid-2000s with the rise of streetwear brands like Supreme and Bape. At the time, these brands were popular among skaters and graffiti artists in New York City. Some of these artists began using occult imagery in their work, which led to a growing interest in the occult among young people in the city.
In the 2010s, occult hip hop began to enter the mainstream with artists like Kid Cudi and Tyler The Creator incorporating occult themes into their music. In 2012, Kid Cudi released his album WZRD which featured songs about astral projection and lucid dreaming. Tyler The Creator’s album Goblin also prominently featured occult themes.
Since then, more and more artists have begun incorporating occult themes into their music. Some notable examples include A$AP Rocky’s song “LSD” which is about taking acid (a powerful psychedelic drug), Travis Scott’s song “Sicko Mode” which features references to Aleister Crowley (a famous British magician), and Rihanna’s song ” 666 ” which is about Satanism.
The popularity of occult hip hop has led to the creation of festivals and events dedicated to the genre. In 2017, the first ever Occult Music Festival was held in Brooklyn, New York. The event featured performances by Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and many other top names in the genre.
History of Occult Hip Hop
Occult Hip Hop is a sub-genre of Hip Hop music that began in the early 1990s. It is characterized by its dark, often demonic or satanic themes. The first group to gain notoriety in this genre was Gravediggaz, who released their debut album 6 Feet Deep in 1994. Since then, many other artists have followed suit, creating a style of music that is both unique and controversial.
Origins in the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade of great change for the music industry. With the rise of disco and the popularity of soul and R&B, hip hop began to emerge as a new genre. Although it would take a few more years for hip hop to truly break into the mainstream, the 1970s saw the beginnings of this now-popular style of music.
One of the earliest examples of occult hip hop can be found in the song “Black Magic” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force. This song, which was released in 1982, features lyrics that speak of black magic and other occult concepts. Although it is not outright stated, it is implied that these lyrics are meant to be taken literally.
As hip hop continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1980s, so did its Occult connections. Songs such as Run-DMC’s “Peter Piper” and LL Cool J’s “I Need Love” both contain references to Occult concepts such as Alchemy and Tarot Cards. By the end of the 1980s, there was no denying that hip hop had fully embraced its Occult roots.
The 1990s saw Occult hip hop reach new heights, thanks in part to artists like Dr. Dre, who often incorporated dark and violent lyrics into his songs. One of the most famous examples of this is Dre’s track “Deep Cover”, which tells the story of a police officer who turns to drug dealing in order to make ends meet.
While Occult themes were nothing new in hip hop by this point, they reached a whole new level with the release of Death Row Records’ The Chronic album in 1992. This album, which was written and produced by Dr. Dre, featured numerous references to Satanism, witchcraft, and other dark subjects.
Since the release of The Chronic, Occult themes have become increasingly commonplace in hip hop music. In recent years, we have seen albums such as Kanye West’s Yeezus and Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN., which both contain overt references to Satanism and the dark side of life. AsOccult Hip Hop continues to evolve, we can only speculate as to where it will go next.
The influence of Afrika Bambaataa
In the early 1980s, Afrika Bambaataa, a leader of the Bronx-based Zulu Nation, began using elements of Haitian Vodou and Eastern philosophies in his music. He sampled percussion tracks from Cuban, Dominican and Brazilian records, and his hit song “Planet Rock” featured a looped sample from the German electronic band Kraftwerk.
Bambaataa’s approach to music was influential in the development of what would later be known as “occult hip hop.” By blending traditional Haitian music with electronic beats, he created a new sound that was both danceable and mystical.
The influence of Afrika Bambaataa can still be heard in the work of contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus. Lamar’s song “Alright” features a sample of Bambaataa’s track “Planet Rock,” while Flying Lotus’ 2014 album You’re Dead! includes a track called “Never Catch Me,” which is based on a sample of Bambaataa’s song “Egypt, Egypt.”
The influence of Public Enemy
Public Enemy is one of the most influential and controversial hip hop groups of all time. They are often credited with helping to bring about a political consciousness in hip hop and their music has been heavily informed by their experiences as African Americans living in the United States.
One of the things that made Public Enemy so unique was their use of Occult symbolism and imagery in their music. This was something that was relatively new in hip hop at the time and it helped to make them stand out from other groups.
Public Enemy’s use of the Occult was something that was inspired by their leader, Chuck D. He is a self-proclaimed follower of the Five-Percent Nation, which is an organization that believes that black people are the true descendants of Moses. As such, they believe that white people are ” devils” who have stolen black people’s true heritage.
This belief system informed much of Public Enemy’s music and helped to make them one of the most political and social conscious groups in hip hop. Their use of Occult imagery was also seen as a way to subvert the dominant white culture.
While some people saw Public Enemy’s use of the Occult as a positive thing, others were not so sure. There were those who felt that it was being used to promote violence and hatred. This led to some controversy surrounding the group.
Despite the controversy, Public Enemy remained one of the most influential groups in hip hop. Their use of Occult symbolism helped to bring about a new level of awareness in hip hop and their music continues to inspire and influence artists today.
Themes in Occult Hip Hop
Occult Hip Hop is a sub-genre of Hip Hop music that primarily focuses on the dark and supernatural elements of the Hip Hop culture. The lyrics and images in Occult Hip Hop often deal with themes such as death, Satanism, the Illuminati, and other dark subjects. The music is usually dark and atmospheric, and often features samples from horror movies and TV shows.
Social commentary
One popular theme in occult hip hop is social commentary. Artists often touch on topics such as government control, injustice, and inequality. For example, in the song “Mr. President” by Boogiemonsters, the group addresses then-President George H.W. Bush directly, critiquing his handling of the economy and foreign affairs. Other artists have addressed more general topics, such as poverty and racism. Although these themes are not unique to occult hip hop, they are often explore in greater depth than in other genres of music.
Political commentary
Occult hip hop is a subgenre of hip hop music that often includes themes of the occult, supernatural, or mystical. These themes can be expressed through the lyrics, beats, or visual imagery associated with the music. While some occult hip hop is purely for entertainment purposes, other artists use their music to explore more serious topics such as social and political issues.
One of the most common themes in occult hip hop is political commentary. Many artists use their music to express their views on current events or to raise awareness about important issues. For example, Immortal Technique is an Peruvian-American MC who is known for his politically charged lyrics. His songs often focus on topics such as class struggle, police brutality, and the War on Terror. Similarly, Brother Ali is an American Muslim rapper who often addresses issues of race and discrimination in his music.
Otheroccult hip hop artists use their music to explore more personal themes such as mental health, addiction, and relationships. For example, MF DOOM is an MC who often raps about his struggles with depression and anxiety. His lyrics are often dark and introspective, which gives them a unique perspective on these topics. El-P is another artist who frequently explores personal themes in his music. His albums often deal with topics such as loss, betrayal, and loneliness.
Religious commentary
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of hip hop artists incorporating themes of the occult and supernatural into their music. This subgenre of hip hop, often referred to as “occult hip hop,” is characterized by lyrics that deal with topics such as Satanism, the paranormal, witchcraft, and other similar subjects.
While some artists simply use these themes as a way to shock or provoke their listeners, others take a more serious approach and use their music to explore deeper questions about religion, existence, and the nature of reality. Regardless of their intention, these artists are creating some of the most fascinating and thought-provoking music in hip hop today.
If you’re curious about this trend in hip hop music, here are three occult-themed hip hop albums that you need to check out:
1) Wu-Tang Clan’s “The Saga Continues”
2) A$AP Rocky’s “AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP”
3) Chance the Rapper’s “Coloring Book”
Notable Occult Hip Hop Artists
The following list contains some of the most notable and well-known occult hip hop artists in the music industry. These artists have made a name for themselves not only through their music, but also through their promotion of the occult.
Brother Ali
Brother Ali is an American hip hop artist who has been praised for his poetic and introspective lyrics. He has also been open about his Islamic faith, which has led some to perceive him as a Muslim rapper. However, Brother Ali has also expressed interest in the occult, and he has even recorded a song entitled ” Satan ” with fellow hip hop artist Immortal Technique. This song discusses the temptations of Satan and how one can resist them.
El-P
El-P, born Jaime Meline, is an American hip hop artist and producer from Brooklyn, New York. He is the co-founder of the independent record label Definitive Jux, and has released three solo albums and four albums with his group Company Flow. El-P is also a member of Run the Jewels, a hip hop supergroup consisting of himself and fellow rapper Killer Mike.
El-P’s music often contains themes of paranoia, anti-authoritarianism, and dystopianism. He has spoken openly about his interest in the occult, and his music often includes references to occult and horror themes. El-P’s lyrics often touch on subjects such as government control, conspiracy theories, mental illness, and drug addiction.
Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock is an American hip hop artist currently signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment. He has released seven studio albums, two EPs, one compilation album, and one instrumental album. His music often incorporates elements of indie rock, alternative rock, and punk rock. Lyrically, Aesop Rock is known for his dense and abstract wordplay.
Aesop Rock was born Ian Matthias Bavitz on June 5th, 1976 in Northport, New York. He later changed his name to “Aesop” after the Greek storyteller and mythologist. He began rapping at age 18 and started gaining underground popularity with the release of his debut album Music for Earthworms in 1997. In 2000, he released his breakthrough album Labor Days to critical acclaim.
Since then, Aesop Rock has continued to releasing critically acclaimed albums and has become one of the most respected names in underground hip hop. He has also collaborated with a number of other notable hip hop artists, including El-P, Danny Brown, Homeboy Sandman, and Lushlife.
Criticism of Occult Hip Hop
Occult Hip Hop has been criticized by some for being “inauthentic” and “unoriginal”. Some believe that the focus on Satanic and dark themes is simply a way for artists to shock and gain attention, rather than create truly meaningful art. Others argue that the music is derivative of other genres, such as horrorcore rap, and does not offer anything new or unique.
