Genre mixing tends to cause plenty of controversy; for instance, when LL Cool J and Brad Paisley collaborated on Accidental Racist in April it caused considerable ruckus regarding race relations and cultural concerns.
Hip hop’s influence on country music has long been evident, yet now this effect has grown more evident. This article investigates its roots through musical and sociological analysis.
What’s the Difference?
As much as some may assume otherwise, country and hip hop music do not share much in common. While both styles share similarities, each genre differs significantly when it comes to how it’s created and its message.
Rappers usually utilize freestyle lyrics to influence the beat and communicate their point, while country musicians typically utilize more traditional instruments and embrace more appreciation of life’s small pleasures while being less vulgar than its hip hop counterpart. Hip hop typically supports criminality while country supports positive changes within society.
Though seemingly disparate genres, hip hop has actually had more of an effect on country than vice versa due to digital streaming and independent artist platforms that enable artists to build audiences independently. Therefore, including hip hop into country can introduce it to new listeners who may otherwise not have experienced its musicality before.
As such, country stars have increasingly employed hip-hop influences into their music and videos to appeal to a younger audience. Artists such as Colt Ford and Lil Nas X have found great success both on country charts as well as making waves within rap culture.
A hybrid of country and hip-hop music has caused some consternation among fans, yet can actually prove beneficial to both genres. Hip-hop remains the dominant form of American music right now and incorporating elements of hip-hop can give country more exposure among young audiences who may otherwise avoid the genre altogether.
One major way that hip-hop has had an effect on country is with “clap or snap tracks.” These looped drum machine loops contain canned finger snaps or hand claps to emphasize even beats, similar to what one might hear in hip-hop and R&B music. Mainstream country songs have begun using these kinds of beats more frequently, even recording with rappers!
Some are concerned that mixing country and rap may dilute both genres and make them too similar, since country music tends to focus on rural America while rap can reflect urban life, which often differs greatly from what happens there.
Hip-Hop Origins
Hip hop emerged during the turbulent 1970’s from inner city youth in response to limited economic opportunity and inadequate municipal services. Urban youth found new ways to express themselves – through music, dance, poetry writing and visual art that revealed their innermost thoughts and emotions – all coming together into what has since been coined ‘hip hop culture’. This movement eventually came to be known as such among its supporters – including younger people today who refer to it by its initial name: hip hop culture.
Country artists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Chapel Hart and OutKast took inspiration from their southern roots when crafting original renditions of hip-hop style and beats. By doing this, these musicians sought to counter the segregated nature of music industry which segregates genres into distinct racial categories.
Genre mixing often causes controversy among fans; some fear the distinct sounds of different genres will converge into an indistinct monogenre while others view it as an opportunity to bring genres closer together and break down barriers between them.
There’s nothing wrong with mixing genres, but it is crucial to recognize their distinctions. While they share some DNA, country and hip-hop have historically had very distinct identities that go beyond simple sound differences – they actually contain different cultural backgrounds.
One obvious sign of this can be seen in the musical instruments used by each genre. Country musicians usually rely on string instruments like banjo while hip-hop relies on electronic equipment like drum machines and synthesizers for its music.
Basic rhythms between these genres are strikingly similar. Both rap and country songs typically use what’s known as a snap beat – this consists of an electronic drum machine playing an uptempo beat featuring canned finger snaps or handclaps to emphasize each measure’s beat.
As such, hip-hop has often been likened to the pulsing backbeat of country songs; hence why some country artists are beginning to incorporate hip-hop elements into their work. Although this may seem surprising at first, keep in mind that hip-hop originated as an international culture with roots in urban areas; it should come as no surprise that its rhythms and aesthetics find their way into other forms of music.
Hip-Hop Styles
Hip hop and country are very distinct musical genres with distinct histories and cultures, each possessing its own sound and culture. But hip-hop can influence country music by evolving it further in ways unique to that genre – acting as a dynamic force to encourage artists in both fields to produce great work! Black creativity provides inspiration and advancement within all corners of country music genres alike.
Modern country songs take inspiration from hip-hop production in their production. Trap beats and 808 claps are common features in party-oriented pop-country songs. Acoustic instruments such as guitars and banjos have increasingly been replaced with synthesized sounds with an urban edge, reflecting hip-hop’s influence on country music. These trends demonstrate its influence.
One of the most exciting developments in country music has been the rise of Southern rappers. Alabama-born Yelawolf embraced both her white and Cherokee heritages by depicting poverty in rural South, while Killer Mike disproved hip-hop stereotypes by candidly speaking out about depression and drug addiction struggles. Generation Z-era kids are adopting these Southern voices by adopting fashion, slang and dance moves from Southern rappers into their daily lives; hip-hop has taught them that the South isn’t some relic from another era but vibrant, colorful, diverse – passionate about being proudly South.
With these trends in place, country music now enjoys an expanded audience that encompasses not only traditional country fans but also hip-hop and R&B listeners. This bodes well for the future of country music as it will allow it to evolve further while remaining distinct from other popular genres.
Remembering the culture behind rap music is of equal importance as its music. While rap has evolved into more of an entertainment style and partying platform than social awareness, conscious rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and J Cole remain among the mainstream. Furthermore, trends like incorporating hip-hop elements into country music may come and go but will likely stay put for some time to come.
Hip-Hop vs. Country
Though it may seem counterintuitive to describe country music using terms such as “trap beats” and 808 kick drums, Nashville has long drawn inspiration from hip hop culture. Even traditional country songs often incorporate elements from hip hop songs into them or feature some kind of cadence similar to that used by rappers as part of their lyrics or even include short bits from gangsta anthems in them.
Recent controversy regarding Old Town Road is an excellent case in point. When country singers and critics labeled rapper Lil Nas X’s version as not being country music, this prompted widespread discussion on how country music should be classified. Furthermore, their decision to exclude Old Town Road from country charts and radio play due to lyrical changes from being an old cowboy anthem into an uptempo rap track seemed both arbitrary and potentially racist.
Nashville music scene’s controversial decisions to support country rap and Bro-Country caused widespread outrage from true country fans who view such genres as an attempt at appeasing trendy pop listeners rather than actual country fans.
Truth be told, country music has increasingly been influenced by hip hop over the last decade. Even traditional artists relying on string instruments are turning more frequently towards synthesizers in favor of string instruments – something hip hop uses heavily in its beat machines.
Pandora conducted an in-depth analysis of every song in their Country Top 100 chart over eight years and determined that hip hop’s presence has grown exponentially in that genre over that period.
This trend can be partially attributed to a shift in power from music executives and towards fans, demonstrated by the rising popularity of young country artists like Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll and Ernest. Consumers are voting with their dollars for songs with purpose that tell a narrative over simple love songs or cowboy anthems; as a result, country music’s future looks promising, welcoming hip hop’s contribution with fresh ideas for its genre.