Mumble Rap Kills Rap’s Legacy in Hip-Hop Culture

Rap is a de rigeur element in the hip-hop culture. A culture where the majority of the components are linked into music in one way or another. Hip-Hop, it can broadly be defined as: DJing, Graffiti Art, B Boyz (breakdancing), and Rapping. Some even see hip-hop as a way of living. In the lyrics of Kris One’s “Rap vs Hip-hop” he emphasises;

“Rap is something you do Hip-Hop is something you live.”

Hip-Hop is an Afro-American and Latin-American culture that emerged from the Bronx in New York City during the early 1970s. From being an outlet for fun of “underprivilege,” this music culture has undergone a number of transformations and become a corner of the movement against racism, oppression and for equality in that era. MCs began to use lyrics as a vehicle for criticism and aspiration. One such example is the highly controversial song “Fuck The Police” by the rap group N.W.A.

There was also a time when ‘Gangsta Rap’ first emerged, and it was all about rivalry between different groups of hip-hop artists on the streets.

This was seen with the emergence of the Wu-tang Clan, NWA, and the long-lasting conflict between Tupac Shakur from the Westside, and Biggie Smalls from the Eastside. The peak of the rage from that period came when Tupac and Biggie were killed nearly around the same time. The case is still remains unsolved, with no clear idea who was behind the killing of these two well-known rappers.

Furthermore, As more and more artists came to the forefront of hip-hop, like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Big L, Big Pun, Nas, 50 Cent, Hopsin, AZ, Rakim and Jay-Z, the popularity of hip-hop continued to grow. The genre just kept on growing, and hip-hop is now a billion-dollar industry. It has given musical industry a whole new colour that’s still evolving til today. And finally, we’ve came to the new chapter back from a few years ago; the rised of the “Mumble Rap.”

The term ‘rap’ which was famous knownly in the scene stands for ‘Rhythm and Poetry’ and this is the kind of aspect that these mumble rappers did not fulfill; the true aspect of ‘rap’ in hip-hop.

In the past, we had rappers like Tupac Shakur; for example, one bars that he raps in the song “Changes” (1992)

I see no changes all I see is racist faces misplaced hate makes disgrace to races, we under, I wonder what it takes to make this one better place, let’s erase the wasted

And then nowdays we have “Rappers” like Lil Pump, with his most famous song “Gucci Gang” which the majority of the entire lyrics is

Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang), Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang), Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang), Spend three racks on a new chain (Huh?)

That is it.

If you’re looking for metaphors and wordplay in this bars, you really have to put that aside, this Lil Pump bars doesn’t even has more than five kind of word.

Basically, the soul of rap music is the message. It’s been that way since the beginning of this culture. For one example, Tupac Shakur in his songs “Changes,” expressed how Tupac was frustrated with the discrimination of black people that live in poverty and don’t get as many opportunities as they deserve; so instead they turn to crime to get by.

Unlike the “Gucci Gang” songs from Lil Pump and any others mumble rappers thats only “mumbling” in their songs, which surely has no message, and doesn’t even have a good rhythm. It’s fair to say that the philosophy that has made this culture solid and thriving is no longer reflected in the kind of music that these mumble rappers are making.

They’re claims that “mumbling technique” is a new evolution of rap in order to bring rap into the realm of the mainstream, so that ‘hip-hop music’ can be enjoyed by a wider audience.

But if we talk about “mumble rap” under the name of the origins rap and hip-hop culture, this ‘mumbling’ technique is certainly unacceptable. Because at its core, hip hop is all about lyrics and rhymes.

Mumble rap doesn’t really fit with this aspect of hip hop. It’s not really part of hip hop because it goes against its own foundation. Mumble rap is more of a subgenre that doesn’t pay much respect to its roots. It should get its own name and definition just like any other subgenre, like Punk Rock and Metal did.

And lastly, I’d end this with the infamous quotes that spread throughout the scene.

Hip-hop is more than just a music.

Hip-hop has crossed cultural boundaries that other music genres never crossed.

Hip-hop is not only the music you listen to, but the way you walk, talk, dress and act.

I’ve always believed that hip-hop is a state of mind, its about movement, social empowering, political inclining, and about overcoming oppression.

I love hip-hop and I mean that dirty and grimmy, hard hitting boom bap, made in a basement type of hip-hop.

Rap was lots better back then, cause today’s too many rappers but not enough poets.