Country and rap music have both experienced considerable scrutiny and hostility from members of society, often being perceived as revolving around hillbilly rednecks and gun-toting black rappers respectively. Unfortunately, stereotypes surrounding them remain present and hold back broader acceptance within society.
Though both genres often carry negative connotations, there are more similarities than one might initially assume. A little cross-pollination can bring many benefits for artists and listeners alike.
Sound
Rap and country both share deep-seated traditions in music history, but both utilize rhythm to convey emotion and meaning – whether its slow love songs or celebration barn burners, both styles engage listeners. While country rap remains an obscure subgenre, its rise in popularity illustrates how genre lines continue to blur between culture and music.
Though music genres like pop, rap and hip hop have long been considered distinct entities in the industry, that hasn’t stopped artists from borrowing from different genres to broaden their appeal and broaden their audience base – evidenced by Eminem and 50 Cent’s inclusion of country songs on their albums despite being considered rappers.
Morgan Wallen and HARDY take inspiration from alternative rock and punk to modernise their country-rap music, some may see this as cultural appropriation, others see country-rap as reflective of how popular music has changed over time.
Since Bubba Sparxxx first made his mark as an eclectic country/rap artist with Deliverance in the 1980s, its hybrid composition has been an ongoing topic of conversation. Although some found this album controversial at first, it eventually earned platinum status and made history for this particular artist genre hybridization. Today there are numerous similar artists mixing genres into their music repertoire.
Country-rap artists had difficulty breaking through due to racial barriers in the past. Country rap was predominantly dominated by white artists and black country-rap artists struggled to gain industry notice. That changed when Lil Nas X released Old Town Road in 2018. With its easy blend of iconic cowboy imagery on top of an infectious trap beat beat, Old Town Road quickly became an international success story.
Blending two genres might seem unexpected to some listeners at first, but it is essential to remember that genre boundaries were never as defined as they appear on media platforms – country music actually evolved out of African folk traditions!
Lyrics
Rap music typically relies on an infectious beat, provided either by a DJ or live performer using a turntable. Rapper artists sometimes create their own beats as well. Rap songs may incorporate sampled music from other genres, such as rock or jazz; rappers may use words to evoke specific emotions such as anger or sadness through lyrics that flow creatively over one another and give the song its unique identity.
A great rap song should have two elements that help it stand out: an irresistibly catchy hook and rhythm that stands out. The hook serves as the first line of each verse and should convey its intended message effectively. Rappers should pay special attention to how their hooks are delivered; try slowing or speeding up delivery as needed or switching up phrases and syllable length, starting on unexpected beats etc. to keep listeners interested.
Word choice differs according to genre and artist; country rappers generally avoid using vulgarity when writing lyrics. They frequently employ slang; in fact, many groups of rappers have developed their own lexicon; the Wu-Tang Clan in particular has developed an extensive slang dictionary used exclusively among its members.
Rap and country music can be contentious due to their often negative themes. Some rap songs mention drugs, or substances considered dangerous; additionally, many lyrics focus on violence or related events and this type of music may turn off some individuals. Furthermore, it has even been criticised as contributing to society violence.
Some have taken to generalizing country and rap music, believing it’s only for white people. Although this can be true to an extent, both genres can be enjoyed by individuals from diverse backgrounds – there are even well-known white country singers as well as black rappers that enjoy both forms of music!
Audience
Rap and country singers are both immensely popular among young people, often targeting them with their music. Both artists utilize their art to motivate, educate and promote good values through song. Both genres also enjoy wide popularity among women and minorities; both can also boast large followings among women and minorities alike. While both styles share many characteristics in common – for instance rap tends to contain vulgar language while country is usually more romantic and soothing without explicit language being included – there are differences between them as well. Rap tends to be more aggressive while country is more romantic while both genres use these characteristics when communicating their messages through song.
Even though country and rap may appear different at first glance, the two genres share more in common than might initially seem apparent. Both music genres possess storytelling abilities as well as melodies with emotional depth that can stir feelings – whether singing about life’s hardships or celebrating a great day, both genres can engage people’s emotions with music that touches everyone differently.
Both genres are equally beloved among minority audiences and many stars have crossed over between them. Rappers like Eminem and 50 Cent have included country songs in their albums while Kid Rock and Jay-Z have performed alongside country legends; even some marriages between genre-crossers exist!
Hip-hop was created and continues to draw its audience from cities. Country, on the other hand, is more prevalent among rural America audiences and often uses personal narratives of struggle and triumph to connect with fans; country icon Alan Jackson famously spent much of his childhood working as an auto mechanic before going on to become one of the top selling artists of his era. Meanwhile rapper Beanie Sigel from South Philadelphia eventually rose up as one of today’s most revered performers.
Rap and country both address issues central to American culture in their own ways; however, their approaches differ significantly: Rap is more aggressive genre that frequently references drugs, violence, and other controversial issues; while country music uses lyrics with positive values to convey similar messages.
Collaborations
Collaborations in music are an effective way to broaden audiences and reach new ones, and also serve as an efficient marketing strategy. From rappers collaborating with pop singers or country artists collaborating with hip-hop stars to working with multiple genres at once, collaborations usually create something surprising and unexpected that turns into something fun – not to mention quicker and cheaper than trying to create the song on one’s own! The ultimate aim is for these collaborations is creating genre-defying records that stand out among their competitors.
Country stars have not hesitated to experiment with pop and rap influences in recent years, and many of their most beloved artists have collaborated with non-country rappers on crossover hits that have helped reshape the industry while drawing in new fans who might otherwise not have known about country music before.
Morgan Wallen collaborated with Nashville-based rapper ERNEST to produce “Cowgirls,” an infectious country rap track which blends both styles seamlessly. Boasting energetic verses and catchy melodies, this track will satisfy fans of both hip-hop and country alike.
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus collaborated on another country-rap hit song in 2018 called “Old Town Road”, which went viral on TikTok and helped revitalize country rap genre. This collaboration showcases how both genres can come together to form something fresh that speaks directly to a younger demographic.
Rappers often turn to country music because it allows them to showcase a different side of themselves musically. While rap is typically associated with street culture, country offers them the chance to explore themes related to family and tradition – offering new perspectives on classic country songs in the process.
Country and rap may appear distinct genres, yet Black artists have made significant contributions to both genres over time. From soul icons like Toni Braxton to contemporary artists like K. Michelle there has been an ongoing dialogue between them that spans generations and genres.