No matter your musical taste or background, testing your knowledge of hip hop music can always be fun and entertaining. Who are some of the rappers that have co-starred with Jonah Hill in movies, or can you name the Notorious B.I.G’s posthumous album release name?
What are some of the key aspects of hip hop music? Take this quiz and find out!
1. Origins
Hip hop culture and music has spread globally over time. Beginning as informal block parties with an MC (short for mcinator) calling out and amplifying audience reactions while DJs played beats using turntables, many early hip hop artists were members of gangs in their home neighborhoods which allowed them to produce music that reflected social and economic conditions in inner city areas through turntablist beats. From there hip hop was quickly transformed into global phenomenon through popularity of its music as well as dance moves developed alongside it.
Early rappers like DJ Kool Herc of Brooklyn developed a style of rap that was rhythmic and rhyming, using short drum breaks and scratches as part of an aural beat, helping DJ and MC duos establish a unique rhythm and flow in their songs. As hip hop became more popular, vocal skills improved along with using more complex rhyme schemes in songs by rappers such as Kool Herc.
As artists from Los Angeles and other cities joined the movement, lyrical content within hip hop became more explicit, leading to the birth of gangsta rap as artists such as Ice-T and NWA made use of sampling funk rhythms while rapping about street violence, drug use and gangs in their hometowns. This gave way to subgenre known as gangsta rap.
Hip hop rose to worldwide popularity in the 1990s as it transcended race barriers. By the end of this decade, it was dominated by artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy and the Beastie Boys – an era which saw fast vocal styles developed by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Tech N9ne and Twista.
2. Styles
Rappers utilize various ad-libs to add variety to their vocal styles, such as these examples from one rapper:
Which rapper used to go by the stage name ‘Skrrt’?
What popular dance craze was popularized by hip hop music?
Whose hit single was “It Ain’t Hard to Tell?”?
Which 1990s hip hop subgenre incorporates jazz samples and soothing beats?
What style of DJing involves cutting between two identical records to extend instrumental breaks within songs?
How is “Turntablism” defined within hip hop culture?
What rapper wore a clock around his neck as part of their stage attire?
What year was The Notorious B.I.G’s hit song ‘Juicy’ released?
Which member of Wu Tang Clan shot their older brother when both were 12?
What type of car features in Drake’s music video for his song ‘Started From the Bottom’?
Which artist had a top hit single with “Gangsta Rap?”
Rappers often wear what type of clothing?
What 1980s hip hop group popularized African medallions and dashikis as part of their image?
What element of hip hop combines rhythmic music and lyrics rapped together into one?
Hip hop artists draw from an eclectic background when crafting their music. Which genre combines elements of both hip hop and electronic dance music?
Rappers often possess an amusing sense of humor, often using their music as comedic vehicles. Can anyone name the rapper who played a detective on Criminal Minds?
3. Lyrics
Rappers use words and rhymes to communicate a message and build narratives, adding rhythm and style with rhymes that add rhythm and style. Rap has quickly become one of the most beloved music genres worldwide and even its creator Keith Cowboy was famously said to have invented rap; today however, with Wu-Tang Clan and Kanye West serving as leaders within hip hop culture – its popularity and culture have evolved far beyond mere party beats.
Hip hop music can be both funny and serious; some rappers use their lyrics to make political statements through song. Many famous rap artists are known for their clever wordplay and catchy hooks that make up part of their signature sound.
But some of hip hop’s greatest lyrical moments come from deeper sources than just clever wordplay. Take Tupac, for instance. He uses this song as an opportunity to criticize America for spending billions on war while thousands live in poverty across its borders.
“Hell no!” It is one of the most iconic lyrics ever in hip hop and one of the most quoted lines from any rapper ever.
If you want a challenging rap trivia quiz to test your knowledge of some of the greatest names in rap music – from the “King of New York” to ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, this one’s sure to do it! Packed full with questions from some of rap’s biggest stars (King of New York” through to The Fresh Prince), including:
No matter your taste in music, whether hip hop or rap is one of your favorites, or a trivia challenge is all it takes for this quiz to bring it all. Use it during a coronavirus lockdown or just to see how well-versed in one of today’s most beloved genres you are!
4. Instrumentation
Instrument selection for hip hop music production is one of the hallmarks of its unique sound. Drum machines and synthesizers play a pivotal role in hip hop production, enabling producers to craft the signature beats that define this genre. Many different synthesizer models exist from classic analog models like the Moog Minimoog to software-based instruments such as Native Instruments Massive; each type provides its own distinct sound for creating basslines, chords, or lead melodies.
Other common hip hop instruments include guitars, bass and keyboards. Guitars and bass often provide rhythmic backbone for hip hop tracks while keyboards add melodic flair. If you’re starting out as a producer of hip hop music or simply exploring production options more broadly, it is vitally important to familiarize yourself with all of the musical instruments used for hip hop production and learn what sounds and styles can be produced using them; doing this will allow you to craft your own distinctive sound!
Hip hop music is an expansive form, one which encourages experimentation and exploration through experimentation and exploration in its playing style. There are silly ballads alongside mournful laments; fun songs alongside more serious ones – each person who listens to this genre adds their own flavor, making its music truly remarkable.
5. Dance
No matter who or where your musical tastes lie, hip hop has something for everyone to appreciate. From funny ballads to gravely meaningful tracks and from party beats to thoughtful dirges – there’s an array of musical genius to discover in hip hop’s rich heritage. Take this quiz and test your knowledge on some of the biggest rappers and hip hop artists worldwide!
Although most of these questions focus on the history of hip hop music, there’s still much to discover regarding contemporary genre. Do you know which rapper has released the highest number one albums of all time or which rap artist used an alias generated from Wu-Tang Clan name generator to gain fame or who became one of the first white rappers to break racial barriers when entering hip hop scene?
As you answer these hip hop questions, you’ll be amazed to witness just how much hip hop has changed over the years – from dance styles to fashion trends, the genre has had an immense influence on our culture. So whether you want some questions for use in a pub quiz or want to challenge your friends with a hip hop music round on Houseparty or Whatsapp – this quiz is ideal!