Abstract hip hop

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Abstract hip hop is a subgenre of alternative hip hop that differs from other hip hop music largely in the content of the lyrics. In stark contrast to gangsta rap, which deals with living in poor urban neighborhoods and real or imagined aspects of gang life, abstract hip hop deals with topics that usually have no association with the hip hop culture. In fact, the lyrics know virtually no boundaries, ranging to the completely abstract (hence the name). Many see it as more of an experiment in the rapping art form than an integral part of the hip hop scene.

Instrumentally, abstract hip hop features especially frequent lo-fi and jazz samples. Arrythmic and noise elements are also incorporated.

One might expect that abstract hip hop, being less associated with a particular subculture, would be more widely accessible to the general public. On the contrary, due to a lack of commercialization, abstract hip hop is largely unknown outside the alternative hip hop scene. However, critics outside the hip hop community often see abstract hip hop as an overwhelmingly positive influence, lacking the perceived misogyny and violence popularized by another subgenre of hip hop: gangsta rap. However, several abstract MCs have been referred to as misogynistic.

Some abstract hip hop labels well-known in the underground scene are Definitive Jux, Anticon and Rhymesayers. Many underground artists produce some, but not exclusively, abstract tracks; for example 3 Melancholy Gypsies's songs like "Armageddon", "Chant", and "Landing", P.O.S. and almost all of Eyedea & Abilities's First Born album (especially "...Powdered Water Too (Part 1)").

[edit] Music samples

No Jumper Cables (sample) (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Short sample of No Jumper Cables, by Aesop Rock - harsh language advisory
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Ox Out The Cage (sample) (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Short sample of Ox Out The Cage, by Cannibal Ox - harsh language advisory
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.