The Regional Rap

An exploration of the various components which make up the contemporary rap scene in the United States of America

Atlanta

Atlanta is best known for trap music, proficiency with autotune technology, and triplet flows. In terms of lyrics there is a heavy emphasis on material goods, the sale and consumption of recreational drugs, and partying. Much of mainstream hip-hop is heavily influenced by the Atlanta sound, and music from Atlanta artists can be heard in a variety of places ranging from the club to television commercials.

Chicago

Chicago's primary musical export is drill music. This subgenera of hip-hop is categorized by its dark, violent and nihilistic lyrical content and trap-influenced beats with harsh tones.

Detroit

Detroit has a very unique style. Production features beats composed of signature bass-lines and percussion patterns, while the raps typically consist of hectic verses heavy on non-sequiturs.

Fayetteville/Charlotte

The current scene in North Carolina is divided, with the most prominent artist from the region being known for delivering thoughtful lyrics over complex and soulful production. However, many of the other artists here, notably those from Charlotte are known for their punchy and bombastic lyrics, which are delivered over bass heavy production.

Houston

The Houston sound is a mix of many different styles. Most notably the screw sound, which features prominently slowing effects and low pitches. This in conjunction with other Southern influences makes the Houston sound familiar yet very individualistic.

Los Angeles

The rap scene in Los Angeles is heavily influenced by electronic music, due in part to the origins of the music scene. Rap in California originated from DJing rather than rapping, thus an emphasis on less traditional production such as boom bap is prevalent. In Los Angeles particularly, there can be seen heavy influences of gang culture, such as the Crips and Bloods.

Memphis

Memphis rap has been characterized by its punchy but repetitive production. Artists often employ double time flows over a variety of samples from a bevy of genres, in addition to interpolated hooks. Production without sampling is common as well, despite this tendency to incorporate other sounds.

Miami

The sound of Miami features high tempos, explicit lyrics of a sexual nature, and booming baselines. Lyrics are often energetic, loud, and reflect the voice of the streets.

New York

The contemporary sound of New York is torn between two prevalent subgenera. The first is a more refined iteration of Chicago drill. The second is infuses melodic, heartfelt lyrics with trap beats.

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia has a rich musical history, the influences of which can be seen even in rap music. From jazz to opera to soul to R&B the production used is varied and rich. Similarly, lyrics are heartfelt and typically paint a vivid picture of the realities of living in the city. On the other side of the spectrum, Philadelphia has a vibrant music scene that, while still employs vivid imagery, depicts a lifestyle of fun and luxury.

Sounds of Atlanta

Notable Artists: 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, Donald Glover, Lil Baby, 2 Chainz, Migos, Mulatto, Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Future

Sounds of Chicago

Notable Artists: Lil Durk, G Herbo, King Von, Coonye West, Chief Keef, Juice Wrld, Polo G, Noname, Famous Dex, Chance the Rapper

Sounds of Detroit

Notable Artists: Eminem, Big Sean, Tee Grizzly, Danny Brown, Sada Baby

Sounds of Fayetteville/Charlotte

Notable Artists: J Cole, DaBaby, Cordae, Stunna 4 Vegas, Toosii, Rhapsody

Sounds of Houston

Notable Artists: Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, Maxo Kream, Ugly God, Don Toliver

Sounds of Los Angeles

Notable Artists: Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler, The Creator, Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Tyga

Sounds of Memphis

Notable Artists: Moneybagg Yo, BlocBoy JB, Blac Youngsta, NLE Choppa, Yo Gotti, Pooh Shiesty

Sounds of Miami

Notable Artists: Rick Ross, Smokepurpp, City Girls, Denzel Curry, Ski Mask The Slumpgod

Sounds of New York

Notable Artists: Fivio Foreign, Pop Smoke, A Boogie With Da Hoodie, Lil Tjay, Sheff G, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil Tecca, Bobby Shmurda, Sleepy Hallow

Sounds of Philadelphia

Notable Artists: Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert, PnB Rock, Kur, Tierra Whack, Pop Hunna, Blvck Sheep

Atlanta

Atlanta is best known for trap music, proficiency with autotune technology, and triplet flows. In terms of lyrics there is a heavy emphasis on material goods, the sale and consumption of recreational drugs, and partying. Much of mainstream hip-hop is heavily influenced by the Atlanta sound, and music from Atlanta artists can be heard in a variety of places ranging from the club to television commercials.

Key terms:

Trap/Bando: A place of residence where drugs are made/sold

Slatt: Slime Love All the Time

Slime: Someone who is like family

Chicago

Chicago's primary musical export is drill music. This subgenera of hip-hop is categorized by its dark, violent and nihilistic lyrical content and trap-influenced beats with harsh tones.

Key Terms:

Drill: To shoot someone

63rd: A prominent street in Southside Chicago

Foe nem: Foes and enemies, a way to refer to opps

Opps: The opposition, your enemies

Detroit

Detroit has a very unique style. Production features beats composed of signature bass-lines and percussion patterns, while the raps typically consist of hectic verses heavy on non-sequiturs.

Key Terms:

The D: The city of Detroit

6 Mile: A dangerous neighborhood in the city of Detroit

Fayetteville/Charlotte

The current scene in North Carolina is divided, with the most prominent artist from the region being known for delivering thoughtful lyrics over complex and soulful production. However, many of the other artists here, notably those from Charlotte are known for their punchy and bombastic lyrics, which are delivered over bass heavy production.

Key Terms:

Smoke: Beef or a confrontation

Stick(s): An AK-47

Blank: To take what one's doing to extreme measures

Houston

The Houston sound is a mix of many different styles. Most notably the screw sound, which features prominently slowing effects and low pitches. This in conjunction with other Southern influences makes the Houston sound familiar yet very individualistic.

Key Terms:

Chopped and screwed: a technique involving slowing the tempo of a song and applying techniques such as skipping beats as well as affecting portions of the original composition to create a "chopped-up" version of the song

Purple/Dirty: Lean, a drink made with codeine and promethazine

Los Angeles

The rap scene in Los Angeles is heavily influenced by electronic music, due in part to the origins of the music scene. Rap in California originated from DJing rather than rapping, thus an emphasis on less traditional production such as boom bap is prevalent. In Los Angeles particularly, there can be seen heavy influences of gang culture, such as the Crips and Bloods.

Key Words:

Piru: A street gang alliance based in Southern California, Bloods

Gangbang: Violence involving members of a criminal gang

Memphis

Memphis rap has been characterized by its punchy but repetitive production. Artists often employ double time flows over a variety of samples from a bevy of genres, in addition to interpolated hooks. Production without sampling is common as well, despite this tendency to incorporate other sounds.

Key Words:

Wipe his nose: To kill someone

Wok: Promethazine Hydrochloride and codeine phosphate syrup

Miami

The sound of Miami features high tempos, explicit lyrics of a sexual nature, and booming baselines. Lyrics are often energetic, loud, and reflect the voice of the streets.

Key Terms:

Broward: A county in southeastern Florida

Zoes: People of Haitian descent

Jit: A young gangster, someone younger than you

New York

The contemporary sound of New York is torn between two prevalent subgenera. The first is a more refined iteration of Chicago drill. The second is infuses melodic, heartfelt lyrics with trap beats.

Key Terms:

Son: A close friend

Gully: Real/Raw

Buggin': To act crazy

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia has a rich musical history, the influences of which can be seen even in rap music. From jazz to opera to soul to R&B the production used is varied and rich. Similarly, lyrics are heartfelt and typically paint a vivid picture of the realities of living in the city. On the other side of the spectrum, Philadelphia has a vibrant music scene that, while still employs vivid imagery, depicts a lifestyle of fun and luxury.

Key Words:

Jawn: A person, place, or thing

12 o'clock: To do a wheelie

North: The neighborhood of North Philadelphia

Drawn: To act in an inappropriate or unusual manner

Sounds of Atlanta

Notable Artists: 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, Donald Glover, Lil Baby, 2 Chainz, Migos, Mulatto, Playboi Carti, Young Thug, Future

Notable Record Labels: Grand Hustle Records, Quality Control Music, 1017 Records, Laface Records

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Sounds of Chicago

Notable Artists: Lil Durk, G Herbo, King Von, Coonye West, Chief Keef, Juice Wrld, Polo G, Noname, Famous Dex, Chance the Rapper

Notable Record Labels: Only the Family (OTF), Glory Boyz Entertainment (GBE)

Scan the code for a curated playlist of music from Chicago

Sounds of Detroit

Notable Artists: Eminem, Big Sean, Tee Grizzly, Danny Brown, Sada Baby

Notable Record Labels: Shady Records

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Sounds of Fayetteville/Charlotte

Notable Artists: J Cole, DaBaby, Cordae, Stunna 4 Vegas, Toosii, Rhapsody

Notable Record Labels: Dreamville

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Sounds of Houston

Notable Artists: Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, Maxo Kream, Ugly God, Don Toliver

Notable Record Labels: Cactus Jack

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Sounds of Los Angeles

Notable Artists: Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler, The Creator, Schoolboy Q, Vince Staples, Tyga

Notable Record Labels: Top Dawg Entertainment, Odd Future

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Sounds of Memphis

Notable Artists: Moneybagg Yo, BlocBoy JB, Blac Youngsta, NLE Choppa, Yo Gotti, Pooh Shiesty

Notable Record Labels: N/A

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Sounds of Miami

Notable Artists: Rick Ross, Smokepurpp, City Girls, Denzel Curry, Ski Mask The Slumpgod

Notable Record Labels: N/A

Scan the code for a curated playlist of music from Miami

Sounds of New York

Notable Artists: Fivio Foreign, Pop Smoke, A Boogie With Da Hoodie, Lil Tjay, Sheff G, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Lil Tecca, Bobby Shmurda, Sleepy Hallow

Notable Record Labels: Roc Nation, Worldwide Mob, Dream Chasers

Scan the code for a curated playlist of music from New York

Sounds of Philadelphia

Notable Artists: Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert, PnB Rock, Kur, Tierra Whack, Pop Hunna, Blvck Sheep

Notable Record Labels: N/A

Scan the code for a curated playlist of music from Philadelphia