British Rap

Genre research

British Rap origins

• British rap is a genre of music containing various subgenres that all fall under the term of “urban” music.

• British rap originates from the 1960’s from Jamaican migrants, who would “toast” (chant in rhyme and make lyrical noises such as “skrrrrrr”) over reggae beats.

• This style of song developedthrough the 80’s into a fast paced more aggressive rap thatpromoted violence, crime, and drugs.

British rap in the 80’s

• Hip hop made its way to the UK after the success it generated in the USA. Along with this came styles of graffiti and break dancing

• Kinnetic effect was a popular rapper of this time. American influence is obvious here, as he puts on an American accent.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNZ_apEGsM

Modern British rap

Modern rap can be classified in various categories…

Grime

• Grime is a fast, usually aggressive rap. Beats are usually electronic sounding and lyrics revolve around the artist speaking highly of himself.

• A popular Grime artist is stormzy

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7xA8Hzuyac

Road rap

• Road rap is also known as British Hip Hop, therefore contains most characteristics of normal Hip Hop, but the rappers are British. Rappers usually talk about where they are from and their upbringing.

• An example of a road rapperis Giggs

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxl22OsRjF8

Garage

• UK Garage is a very fast paced, electronic style of music. This is similar to the 80’s style Jamaican music, but more developed and produced.

• An example of a popular jungle artist is general levy

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL2Bgj-za5k

trap

• This consists of a highly produced beats. This genre usually gives a chilled out beat where typically rappers talk about money and girls

• J-Hus is a popular British trap rap artist

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rk6_Ax0mQo

Big names in British rap

• Stormzy• Skepta• JME• Dave • AJ Tracey• 67• J HUS• Krept & Konan• Giggs• Wretch 32

Styles & clothing

• Rap is associated with money, as this is one of the main topics that they rap about. Therefore rappers are usually seen wearing expensive clothing such as:

• Stone Island• Supreme• V-lone• CP company• NIKE lab• Adidas • Gucci• Balenciaga• Fendi

Attitude

• English rap usually focuses on subjects such as:

• Money

• Girls

• Clothes

• Hard upbringing

• Drugs

• “beef” - fights

growth

• From the early 2000’s to this day, it is notable that British rap has grown in size tenfold, and has caught the attention of world famous artists such as Drake, who has collaborated with less known artists such as Giggs and Dave.