Dance music rap is an uptempo genre that marries hip hop production and lyrics with danceable beats for an exciting listening experience. Although other uptempo genres also incorporate rap lyrics into their tunes, dance music rap takes it one step further.
Tampa rapper Doechii seamlessly mixes pop, dancehall and rap into her infectious “What’s Your Name?” beat. In New York producer Channel Tres draws inspiration from both Compton’s hip hop history and house music traditions for this production.
1. Lil Nas X
Montero Lamar Hill, more commonly known by his stage name Lil Nas X, made headlines when he released the “Old Town Road” single in 2019 and broke country music records. At 21 years old, Lil Nas X became the first openly gay male rapper to reach number one spot in an industry which emphasizes masculinity; and was even named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People list due to this success.
Montero (2021), was an enormous success for young rapper Nas. Despite criticism over his use of “niggas” in its title, this project proved an undoubted triumph for Nas. According to him, his last name “Nas” derives from being known by people on Twitter who knew him as a dedicated fan of Nicki Minaj.
Lil Nas X’s latest music video is an absolute riot, showing him in various mythical worlds inspired by history and pop culture. From Marie Antoinette-style stonings to lap dances with Satan himself in hell, this unapologetic yet wildly queer execution has garnered tremendous praise on social media. Lil Nas X shows no intention of backing down and is leading by example for other young queer artists; its release was met with criticism from conservative media such as Fox News and Tucker Carlson but its positive response shows how the music industry is shifting.
2. Offset
Offset has emerged as an indelible force in mainstream rap with his catchphrase of “rain drop, drop top” or his introspective verses about his turbulent past. Born Kiari Kendrell Cephus of Migos fame, Offset won over crowds with his impressive triplet flow and electrifying on-record exclamations during three Billboard 200 albums before transitioning into solo releases such as Father of 4 (also charting), featuring top singles including Cardi B’s “Clout”.
Offset is gearing up for an impressive 2019. On Thursday (Sept 14), he unveiled the cover art and release date for his sophomore album Set It Off as well as a new music video for “Fan.” Directed by Kai Cenat, this visual takes inspiration from Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking 1987 film Thriller.
Offset and his girlfriend can be seen strolling around their neighborhood when he unexpectedly transforms into a werewolf when alone. The visual is packed with MJ references from Offset wearing a suit similar to Michael Jackson’s iconic single rhinestone-encrusted glove to him doing his own version of “Moonwalk.” Fans have taken notice and many are hailing him as “MJ 2.0.” Watch below!
3. Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa cemented his reputation in dance music rap with his 2014 single, “Down on My Luck,” produced by Stefan Ponce. NYC native Princess Nokia explored dance rap with her debut single “Versace Hottie,” pairing hard-hitting verses by Princess with Christopher Lare beats; this track quickly made waves online and gained her an ever-growing following.
Mensa achieved considerable underground renown as both a member of Kids These Days and founder of SAVEMONEY – which featured frequent collaborator Chance the Rapper as one of its members – as well as founder. His vibrant lyrical style drew on influences from positive ’90s hip-hop as well as rock and pop music for inspiration; soon enough major labels like Roc Nation took notice and released his 2017 debut The Autobiography with widespread praise.
Mensa’s raps straddle the sacred and profane. From his husky delivery and chillingly meaningful lyrics on $WISH to porny jokes with Ty Dolla $ign on Eastside Girl and porny barbs between tracks (such as on Blue Eyes or LVLN UP ) that touch upon colourism, self-hatred, suicide and political issues–Mensa stands out among his peers with his innovative exploration of new sounds that makes him one to keep an eye on in his future work.
4. Princess Nokia
Princess Nokia has become one of rap’s premier artists through her alluring flow and provocative lyrics. Born Destiny Frasqueri in New York City, she personified Spanish Harlem ball culture in 2016 songs “Brujas” and “Kitana,” while also showing a spiritual side attributed to her Puerto Rican roots. Now Princess Nokia has debuted a video for “No Effort,” in which she poses alongside several friends wearing North Face puffer jackets at an East Harlem park – she raps “Reclaim the co-opted aesthetic and bring it back home,” while noting it represents her own “puffer girl culture”.
Nuyorican rapper Ivy Rose rose to prominence in 2014 with her debut album Metallic Butterfly and subsequent mix-tapes such as Honeysuckle and 1992 Deluxe mix tapes, but has become best-known for her hard-hitting verses on topics including feminism and self-love on recent projects like A Girl Cried Red and Everything Sucks, Everything Is Beautiful. Influenced by both emo and pop punk music genres as well as Afro-Nuyorican styles of alternative hip hop hip hop punk experimental trap or trap music – she bridges alternative hip hop, punk rap experimental trap and trap music genres into Afro-Nuyorican hybrid styles described as Afro-Nuyorican that bridge alternative hip hop hip hop with alternative hip hop influences like alternative hip hop punk punk experimental trap. Her unique fashion sense has caused endless amounts of fashion envy – most recently she gave Orchard Beach dreams with her Coke-a-Cola one piece worn alongside red sambas!
5. Shygirl
Blane Muise, known professionally as Shygirl, creates catchy pop songs with an edge. Based out of London and co-heading NUXXE with producer Sega Bodega as well as working with SOPHIE, Arca, and Zebra Katz – she pioneers an entirely new form of dance music combining postindustrial hip-hop, grime, and experimental club styles into one soundscape.
Shygirl, a genre-bending rapper, blended disparate worlds into a bold Spring concert that was both sensual and seductive. Opening with Woe from her debut album Nymph – featuring deep R&B grooves mixed with sexualized rap lyrics – the energy and appeal of Shygirl’s music lies precisely here.
Shygirl kept the audience moving throughout her set with singles and album tracks from Cleo and Wildfire being particularly well received by audiences. Shygirl’s ability to fuse basslines with vocal ethereality allowed fans to easily sing along and feel connected with her music.
Shygirl’s music exudes an irresistibly sexual, postcolonialist vibe that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her sensual storytelling and sensually seductive aesthetic are perfect for today’s culture – as evidenced by her debut album Nymph. Shygirl shows she understands what inspires listeners with each new release!
6. Disclosure
Disclosure, comprised of Surrey-born brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence formerly known as Disclosure, have become one of dance music’s premier production duos over a span of 13 years. Emerging during a time when EDM artists had come under scrutiny, their distinctive blend of styles ranging from house, garage, dubstep, bass as well as vocal collaborations made an impressionful first impression upon critics and followers alike.
Results included stunning, carefully assembled pop songs – such as 2012 global hit “Latch,” featuring then-unknown singer Sam Smith. Over time, they’ve continued to evolve their distinctive brand of electronic music and broaden awareness of underground dance forms dating back to disco era dance forms.
Over their career that has produced two UK number-one albums (2013’s Settle and 2015’s Caracal) as well as five Grammy nominations, they have collaborated with Lorde, AlunaGeorge, The Weeknd, Kelis and slowthai among many other artists – most notably Lorde and AlunaGeorge of course; The Weeknd; Kelis; slowthai as well as rapper Shygirl who they recently collaborated with on “Freak”, further demonstrating that their thumping beats work just as well with hip hop as R&B!
Disclosure’s 2019 album Energy showcased their unique sound with everything from sensual Afrobeat and futuristic funk, to classic soul. Additionally, Energy featured a collaborative track with Amine and slowthai that demonstrated dance and rap could coexist without losing either one’s integrity; rather they can bring out each other’s best attributes when combined together.