Pop music and rap share a strong bond, making them inextricably linked. That’s why it can be difficult to distinguish one from the other in today’s society – even though their genres differ.
Rap music originated from African American culture and has gained global acclaim due to its catchy rhymes and catchy beats.
The Differences
Pop music is an upbeat genre with catchy hooks and lyrics, while hip hop music takes an aggressive approach with rap songs and beats. Both styles have become immensely popular with young people and have had a major impact on the entertainment world.
The music industry is one of the most lucrative and dynamic sectors in global economy. Every day, different genres of music are created with distinct styles and messages. Three major types exist: rock, rap and pop.
Though these three music genres differ significantly, they all share a similar goal of telling stories and conveying social messages that resonate with listeners. Each genre’s music tells an intimate tale about someone’s life.
Rap and Country, for instance, both share the story of someone’s life. These songs can speak to various experiences and emotions that shape who someone becomes as they navigate this journey through life.
Both songs possess an intimate connection with their listeners. Indeed, they can help foster a deep and lasting connection between listeners and artists alike.
Pop and rap differ in that rap music has been heavily influenced by social and political issues. For instance, it was created as a response to racial inequality, becoming an integral part of modern society.
Rap and pop have distinct stylistic elements, yet both genres convey a powerful message that can impact people’s lives worldwide.
Rap, unlike Pop music which tends to be commercial and less artistically driven, emphasizes storytelling. It can address topics like poverty, gang violence and sex as well.
Pop music stands out from other genres due to its focus on musical elements. It often uses various instruments and moves faster than other styles, while having more words but having a simpler message than Rap music does.
The Origins
Pop music and rap music are two genres of popular music that evolved separately over time. Pop music began in the 1950s and 1960s, while rap music emerged more recently. Both styles are immensely popular around the world due to the invention of the gramophone which enabled recording sound on flat discs.
Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner invented the gramophone in 1877, ushering in a revolution in music production. Their invention allowed recordings to be produced on tapes at lower costs than before using cylinders – leading to more affordable recordings overall.
In the 1950s and 1960s, many musicians ventured away from traditional genres of music to explore pop music. Groups like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Kinks revolutionized pop music by bringing it to a wider audience.
Jazz began to gain momentum around this time, though it wasn’t originally a pop genre, jazz artists began adding more melodic elements to their songs.
This style of music is very diverse, often drawing inspiration from various genres like urban, rock, Latin, country and more. Generally short to medium in length, it consists of repeated choruses and melodic tunes with catchy hooks.
Music with a strong rhythmic component often contains rhyming words. This rhythmic music is typically accompanied by drumbeats or other rhythmic instruments.
Pop and rap music share many similarities; both originated from African-American culture. Unlike whites, blacks were less accepted into American society and thus could express themselves through song.
Rap was invented in the 1970s by youths in New York City, inspired by Jamaican deejays who had originally drawn inspiration from West African folk poets. This style also utilized spoken-word poetry which was recited or loosely chanted over a musical accompaniment.
Music itself is a form of spoken-word poetry accompanied by electronic beats played by DJs, percussionists and sometimes beatboxers. These beats serve to convey a message while the MC (rapper) creates and recite the lyrics.
The Style
Pop music and rap music have distinct styles that set them apart. Additionally, the genres differ in terms of their influences, genres, and target audiences.
Pop music, originating in the 1950s and 1960s, incorporates elements of rock, jazz, folk, country and other styles into its songs. Songs tend to be short to medium length with repeated choruses, melodic tunes and hooks.
This style of music combines lyrics with fast-paced rhythms, often exploring common relationship issues. It may also take into account pop culture or politics.
Hip hop or rap is a musical genre that emerged during the 1970s and ’80s. It consists of stylized rhythmic music to accompany its rapping, which is rhythmic and rhyming speech that’s chanted. Its musicians perform over beats and percussion instruments with many using synthesizers or electronic sounds for added effect.
Rap music began with DJs and MCs from New York’s music scene. These artists employed percussion instruments like bass drums to tell stories with an intense level of energy.
In the 1980s, a new style of hip hop known as “gangsta rap” emerged on the West Coast. Its lyrics often tackle social issues such as violence and drug use with strong messages. Although sometimes contentious, this music remains popular today.
In the 1980s, artists such as Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force began to incorporate electronics and synthesizers into their music. This created an electro-funk sound which would later influence rap music’s development.
By the 1990s, rap had established itself as an essential form of popular music. It had become a staple on radio stations and featured numerous commercially successful artists.
Rap, once associated with negative aspects of society, evolved into a positive force in the 2000s when artists such as Common and Mos Def began infusing messages of social conscience into their songs.
Rap was initially born out of the South Bronx area of New York but has now spread worldwide and been translated into various languages. Its elements such as MCing, DJing, graffiti and breakdancing all contribute to a larger hip-hop aesthetic that includes clothing, slang and attitude.
The Audience
Pop music is the most beloved genre worldwide, with artists like Taylor Swift selling millions of records annually. Songs tend to be short, sweet and easy-to-listen-to; additionally, record companies often target teenagers and pre-teens with their offerings.
Pop music has achieved commercial success despite lacking artistic quality or depth. Its short songs tend to have little time for reflection and are better suited for dancing or romantic purposes rather than the longer, more deeply felt pieces found elsewhere.
Hip Hop/R&B stands as a more sophisticated genre than other music, though it still lacks the depth. Its cadences and inflections have the ability to convey deeper messages than other genres, while its lyrics may reflect real-life experiences or concerns.
The genre has become more accessible, with young people enjoying singing along and dancing along to the songs. Additionally, it boasts an immense audience – over one billion listeners worldwide.
According to IFPI’s Global music market survey, 26% of all music listeners worldwide listen to rap/hip-hop. This genre is especially popular among 16-24 year olds and those from black communities.
This fan base is highly engaged, with 41% attending live concerts. Furthermore, they are diverse; males 18-24 make up the largest segment of fans relative to other age groups.
There is an established correlation between race and hip-hop consumption, with research finding that consumers from black communities were more likely to identify with the genre when watching videos featuring Afrocentric elements. Furthermore, watching such videos was linked with higher levels of self-esteem among black viewers.
It is essential to recognize that rap/hip-hop consumption has been studied from various perspectives, both academically and through consumer behaviour research. Research has focused on several aspects of this music genre such as social identity, personality traits and perceptions; most research was done within psychological, sociological and marketing disciplines.