Alt-Rap

alternative rap/R&B, hold a very special place in my heart, and is in my opinion the most influential genre of all time. Getting into this genre started as a like of modern day rap. Artist such as Lil Baby, Kendrick Lamar, and a couple other artists in 2018 through 2020 were my main listening. Through artists such as Tyler, The Creator, I found joy and relatedness in a more specific genre. Quickly learning more about the alternative rap genre, I found many aspects to prove very interesting and joyful. I feel the most comfort in the music compared to anything else and I feel like the diversity expresses all the ways I feel on a daily basis.

One thing I love about alternative rap is it separation from raps hard thug aspect. It tends to stray away from gang rap and mumble rap and focuses on lyrics and melodies a little more. In that way, it ties into R&B while also retaining some of the quicker more upbeat, rap style songs. I think with that trade off it drops a lot of what people dislike about rap and what people generalize all subcategories to be.

Another great aspect of alternative rap is its meaning and target audience. A lot of the music in this genre point out problems in all shapes and forms and feels like a comforting music type in a catchall sort of situation for outcasts and people that fit in alike. I feel like the artists in this genre know the feeling of not wanting to fit under a single personality category, but rather to be diverse in their personality.

I think the diversity in alternative rap is what makes it such an influential category. With a drive nowadays to not be afraid of your differences and past struggles, this genre is comforting for many that need comfort.