Hipster Hop or Renaissance Rap?

April 28, 2008 3:03 PM
by Marcos Colón [email]

[Article written by Richie Cruz]

From “gangster rap” to “conscious rap” to “ringtone rap,” the hip-hop industry has always had a predilection for labeling itself, especially when a new trend, sound, or look reaches the surface. Sure, some categorization is necessary (specifically when making a regional or periodic distinction), but some are just absurd: “backpack rap”, “trance-hop”, and other sorry tags are segmenting what are essentially different manifestations of the same art. Hip-hop media has taken it too far with their latest moniker: “hipster rap,” which tries to describe the sounds coming from the underground and progressive street culture.

While it may be difficult to pinpoint what “hipster rap” exactly is and to whom it refers (no hipster by nature would refer to being one), one thing is for sure: the experimentation and genre bending emerging from these artists are refreshing and reminiscent of a time when hip hop was all about style, swagger, and enjoying life. Here are a few rappers who have conquered the underground and are set to have iPods, clubs, and MySpace pages poppin’ this summer:

The Cool Kids

Chicago’s Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish have been hailed by Rolling Stone as the city’s “next great duo” and for good reason. Heavy bass, feel-good flows reminiscent of early ‘90s hip hop make their EP, The Bake Sale, a must-cop for this summer. (Due out May 29 on Chocolate Industries Records).

Click here to hear more from Cool Kids.

Kid Cudi

Hailing straight out of Cleveland, Kid Cudi is a paradigm for successfully turning an online buzz into national acclaim. His song “Day N Night” is reality seen through the eyes of a “lonely stoner” (and rapped over a very hypnotizing synth). His debut album Man on the Moon is due out soon on Fool’s Gold Records.

Click here to hear more from Kid Cudi.

Wale

The pride of Washington, DC, Wale (an acronym for “We Ain’t Like Everyone”) recently inked a joint venture deal with Interscope and über-producer Mark Ronson’s Allido Records. Although people originally likened his sound to his hometown’s prevalent go-go, Wale has proved that he can spit with the best of them. His next mixtape, the Seinfeld-inspired Mixtape About Nothing is set to hit the Internet this May.

Click here to hear more from Wale.

The Knux

Recently appearing on MTV’s Sucker Free to dispel the entire notion of “hipster rap,” LA-by-way-of-New Orleans duo The Knux have risen above mediocrity, buzzing with their lead single, “Cappuccino.” Incorporating live instrumentation into their production, The Knux is a refreshing, and fun, addition to the industry. Their Interscope debut, Remind Me in 4 Days, is due out this summer.

Click here to hear more from The Knux.

Mickey Factz

It’s only right that one of hip hop’s new wave of artists come from hip-hop’s birthplace: Bronx-bred Mickey Factz is 50% lyricist, 50% tastemaker, 100% hip-hop. The last few months have been good to Factz, whose last Internet mixtape, Heaven’s Fallout, was tremendously well received (we hear he killed it at this year’s SXSW). This summer, Mickey prepares to release the follow-up to Fallout; catch him performing anywhere from local colleges to SOB’s in Tribeca, NYC.

Click here to hear more from Mickey Factz.

Izza Kizza

When you’re cosigned by one of the most successful producers of our time, and brought into one of the most powerful folds in the industry for your debut, you have to be something. Timbaland's praise of Georgia’s Izza Kizza was well deserved: his stuttering flow and choice sound (electro/synth/bass) are a perfect match for Timbo’s left-of-field style. Kizza’s debut--untitled as of yet--is due out this year on Interscope/Mosley Music Group.

Click here to hear more from Izza Kizza.