How Hip Hop is Changing Video Game Music

Many video game music fans are also fans of hip hop. So it’s no surprise that the two genres are starting to influence each other. Here’s how hip hop is changing video game music.

The Birth of Hip Hop in Video Games

Hip hop first began appearing in video games in the early 1980s with classics like “Street Fighter II” and “Contra.” The genre has come to be strongly associated with the gaming culture, particularly with popular franchises like “Grand Theft Auto.” However, hip hop’s presence in video games extends beyond just the music. The culture and values of hip hop have also had a significant impact on the way video games are designed and marketed.

One of the most significant ways hip hop has changed video game music is by broadening the range of styles that are used. In the early days of video gaming, most games featured either synthesized music or rock tracks. However, as game developers have become more attuned to the tastes of their player base, they have begun to experiment with incorporating a wider variety of musical genres into their soundtracks. Hip hop has been at the forefront of this shift, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper lending their talents to some of the most popular games of recent years.

In addition to diversifying game soundtracks, hip hop has also had an impact on how video games are marketed. In particular, hip hop-influenced advertising campaigns have been used to target African American and Latino audiences who were previously underserved by the gaming industry. These campaigns have been incredibly successful in promoting inclusion and diversity in video gaming.

All in all, hip hop has had a profound impact on video game music and culture. As the genre continues to evolve, it will likely continue to shape the way we think about and experience video games for years to come.

The Evolution of Hip Hop in Video Games

The hip hop genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino topping the charts. This increase in popularity has also led to a change in the way that hip hop is used in video games. In the past, video game music was mostly orchestral. However, more and more video games are now incorporating hip hop into their soundtracks. This change can be attributed to the growing popularity of the genre.

8-Bit and 16-Bit Eras

The first era of hip hop in video games began in the 8-bit and 16-bit era with classics like Double Dragon, Streets of Rage, and Ninja Gaiden. These games featured chiptune soundtracks that often took inspiration from early hip hop and electronic music. While the tunes were catchy, they didn’t have the same kind of lyrical depth or cultural significance as the hip hop we know today.

The 32-Bit Era

The 32-bit era of video game consoles marked a shift in the use of video game music. Prior to the 32-bit era, video game music was largely limited to beeps, bloops, and simple melodies. However, with the release of the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn, video game music started to become more complex. These new consoles allowed for CD-quality audio, which meant that video game developers could now include fully-fledged songs in their games. This resulted in a new genre of video game music known as hip hop.

Hip hop in video games can be traced back to the 1996 release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. This game featured a hip hop remix of the classic Super Mario Bros. theme song. Since then, hip hop has become increasingly prevalent in video games. Some notable examples include the Grand Theft Auto series, NBA Live 2005, Def Jam: Icon, and Rez HD.

Despite its growing popularity, hip hop in video games has not been without its criticisms. Some have argued that the use of hip hop is nothing more than pandering to a youthful demographic. Others have accused it of promoting negative stereotypes about black culture. Whatever one’s opinion on the matter, there is no denying that hip hop has become an integral part of video game culture.

The 64-Bit Era

The 64-Bit Era is where video game music started to take on a more serious note. This is the era where video game music truly became its own genre, with artists like Theolonious Monk, Art Tatum, and Duke Ellington becoming popular among gamers. This is also the era where we saw the birth of some of the most iconic video game soundtracks of all time, including those for Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

The Current Era

The current era of hip hop in video games can be best defined by the term “trap.” Trap is a subgenre of hip hop that emerged in the early 2000s in the southern United States. It is characterized by its hard-hitting, often aggressive beats and its lyrical content, which typically revolves around drug dealers and other street-level criminals.

This era of trap-influenced hip hop has given rise to some of the most popular video game soundtracks of all time, including those for the Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row, and NBA 2K franchises. In recent years, trap has also begun to influence mainstream pop music, with artists like Cardi B and Lil Uzi Vert incorporating elements of the genre into their hits.

What started as a niche subgenre has now become one of the most popular genres in music, both in terms of video game soundtracks and mainstream pop music. The influence of trap can be heard all over the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

The Future of Hip Hop in Video Games

Hip hop has been a significant force in the video game industry for years, with artists like Run-D.M.C. and Kendrick Lamar lending their talents to some of the biggest games franchises around. In recent years, we’ve seen an even greater push towards incorporating hip hop into gaming, with popular games like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption 2 featuring original tracks from big name artists. But what does the future hold for hip hop and video games?

The Indie Game Scene

The hip hop scene in video games has been blowing up lately, with more and more independent games featuring dope tracks by up-and-coming artists. This is a huge development for the game industry, which has long been dominated by big-budget titles with big-name soundtracks.

The indie game scene is full of creativity and diversity, and its music reflects that. There are so many great artists making incredible hip hop tracks for games, and it’s only going to get better from here. Here are just a few of the artists to keep an eye on in the world of video game music.

Clipping
This experimental hip hop group from Los Angeles has been making waves in the video game world with their amazing tracks for the game “Hotline Miami 2.” Their style is unlike anything else out there, and their music perfectly sets the tone for the ultra-violent gameplay. If you’re looking for something new and different, definitely check out Clipping.

DOOMSQUAD
This Toronto-based trio creates dark, atmospheric hip hop that is perfect for gaming. Their 2016 album “Pageants of the Sun” featured several tracks that were used in games like “Destiny” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops III.” DOOMSQUAD is definitely a group to watch if you’re a fan of video game music.

Run The Jewels
This critically acclaimed hip hop duo has been taking the world by storm with their aggressive beats and politically charged lyrics. They have released several tracks for games like ” Gears of War 4″ and ” Sunset Overdrive,” and their music always seems to perfectly fit the tone of the game. Run The Jewels is definitely one of the hottest names in video game music right now.

The AAA Game Scene

In the past decade or so, we’ve seen hip hop become one of the most mainstream genres of music. In terms of video game music, this is relatively new territory. For the most part, video game music has been dominated by rock and electronic genres. However, in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the inclusion of hip hop in video games. This is especially true in the AAA game scene.

AAA games are the big budget titles that are produced by major studios. These are the games that have million dollar budgets and feature A-list celebrities. When it comes to music, AAA games tend to go for blockbuster soundtracks. In other words, they want songs that will get people hype. And what gets people more hyped up than some good old fashioned hip hop?

In recent years, we’ve seen a number of AAA games feature hip hop soundtracks. Some notable examples include Grand Theft Auto V, NBA 2K16, and Madden NFL 17. It’s safe to say that hip hop is becoming increasingly prevalent in video games.

So what does this mean for the future of video game music? Well, it’s hard to say for sure. However, it seems likely that we’ll see even more hip hop in video games moving forward. With its huge popularity and massive appeal, hip hop is simply too big to ignore. So whether you love it or hate it, it looks like hip hop is here to stay in the world of video games!