Underground Hip Hop Elements
The History, Culture and Elements of Underground Hip Hop
Underground hip hop is an “umbrella term” for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon . The term is almost exclusively associated with independent artists, signed to small independent labels or no label at all. Underground hip hop is often characterized by having more socially conscious, positive, or anti-commercial lyrics than the mainstream ; however, there is no unifying or universal theme – Allmusic suggests that it has “has no sonic signifiers” . “The Underground” can also refer to the community of musicians, fans and others that support non-commercial, or independent music.
Style of Underground Hip Hop
Underground hip-hop encompasses several different styles of music , though it is often politically themed and socially conscious. Numerous acts in the book How to Rap are described as being both underground and politically or socially aware, these include – Akir , Little Brother , Brother Ali , Mr. Lif , MURS, Binary Star, People Under the Stairs, Lifesavas, and Zion I.
Underground artists often have high levels of critical acclaim – acts who have been specifically noted as being both underground and having numerous critically acclaimed albums include Jurassic 5, Aesop Rock, Ugly Duckling, Little Brother, Brother Ali, El Da Sensei, Dilated Peoples, Blackalicious, Non Phixion, Freestyle Fellowship, Binary Star, Planet Asia, The Visionaries, People Under the Stairs, Cannibal Ox, and Zion I.
Additionally, many underground artists are said to have “intelligent”, “intricate”, or “complex” lyrics, these include – Akir, Ugly Duckling, Brother Ali, Cage, El Da Sensei, Blackalicious, Mr. Lif, Andre Nickatina, MURS, Binary Star, Planet Asia, Lifesavas, and Zion I.
Some underground artists produce music that celebrates the fundamental elements or pillars of hip hop culture, such as People Under the Stairs and Blacastan whose music “recalls hip-hop’s golden age”
Also there are many more artist that are part of the Underground Hip Hop community like MF Doom, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Ed O.G., Common Market , Sha Stimuli, MF Grimm and more old and newcomer artist that chose to participate in this community.
History of Underground Hip Hop
Early stages
In hip hop’s formative years, the vast majority of the genre was underground music, by definition. Although the Sugarhill Gang gained commercial success in 1979, most artists did not share such prominence until the mid 1980s. Ultramagnetic MCs debut album Critical Beatdown is seen as one of the earliest example of “underground hip hop”. It was described that the album was characteristic of what would later be known as “underground hip hop”.
In 1991, A Tribe Called Quest’s “Check the Rhime” reached #1 on the Billboard Rap Singles Charts, but did not crack the U.S. Hot 100. Once hip hop music entered the pop sphere, a clear dichotomy began to form between the mainstream and the underground. Underground hip hop “scenes” or communities formed in many major U.S. cities bringing artists and audiences together for concerts, open mics, battles and parties.
2000s
It is important to note that many artists that are considered “underground” today, were not always so. Artists such as De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Wu-Tang Clan, and others all broke the U.S. Hot 100 chart more than once. Yet today, they are more likely to tour with today’s alternative hip hop acts, than with their successors at the top of the hip hop charts. This reflects a general: modern fans of underground hip hop music are more likely to embrace music from the genre’s earlier, or classic periods, than the music on commercial hip hop radio stations. Prominent albums of this decade includes Masters of the Universe, which was described as a “refreshing alternative from the mainstream of rap”.
Underground Hip Hop Radio
College and community radio stations were the traditional incubator of underground hip hop music. The radio charts that track college radio play continue to be one of the most important indicators of success for independent hip hop artists. Beginning in the late 1990s internet radio stations emerged as another powerful alternative tool for artists. Today, satellite radio offers even more venues for artists to find an audience without relying on traditional commercial radio play.
Today’s Underground Hip Hop Are Mainstreamed By Internet Radio Stations, Such As: 4 Elements Radio , True Hip Hop.fm, Radio Mic-Beatz and Rap Monster Radio
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The Underground Hip Hop Review
In the world of today, hip hop artists are under a lot of pressure to stay fresh, original and true to there music. I would define underground hip hop as a genre of of innovative, unique and often self produced rap. Many underground artists having become fed up with the way major labels produce music, have struck it out on their own to produce music in a different way. Some make it big and produce their music in professional studios, while other’s rig up their microphone on their PC to express their creativity.
Underground artists come from all walks of life, on all types of budgets. For the love of their genre they fight to get their music out to the masses. Playing at clubs, sending out demo tapes and just generally getting the word out, they aim to upkeep the good name of hip hop by staying experimental, creative and fresh.
Over the years I’ve devoted much of my time to exploring the depths of underground hip hop, I leave you ( the reader ) a portal to some of the finest underground hip hop online. Enjoy
-Mishak
Underground Hip Hop featured artists
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Stealth Magazine
Timeless stories from underground hip hop’s most brilliant minds
Stealth Magazine was originally printed in Sydney in June 1999. It started as a black and white zine but eventually turned full colour and had a CD attached to it. At one time we were distributed around the world by the likes of Tower Records. September 11 (2001) took out a bunch of our distributors so we re-focused locally (Australia). To date, we have published 14 issues.
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Indiehiphop.net delivers news and information that relates to the business of independent hip hop.
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Gil Scott-Heron
I’m New Here
Styles P & DJ Green Lantern
The Green Ghost
MC Ren
RenIncarnated
Nneka
Concrete Jungle
Indiehiphop.net delivers news and information that relates to the business of independent hip hop.
