The Significance of Emo Rap

People have used their creativity to communicate their feelings for as long as there has been artistic expression. From the grandiose, dramatic, and energetic styles of the Baroque Era to the new, advanced, and developed styles of our contemporary world, expression has become a powerful ability to humankind. In a way, sharing negativity and struggles makes people feel connected, and many have spoken about how listening to sad music, including myself, has helped them feel better, even if it was for a moment. In this article, we’ll dive into a newly established genre, “emo rap”, and explore the significance of a culture of the two worlds that flushed together and presented a new style to the world.

Emo rap is a convergence of hip hop and emo that emerged in the mid-late 2010s SoundCloud rap scene. The genre blends feature of hip-hop music, such as beats and rapping, with the lyrical narratives and vocals typically found in emo music. The link between the two genres have been attempted by the likes of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Aerosmith, and even Eminem, each with different levels of success in the past. In its introspective style, the emo rap movement varies from most other rap song. A complete opposite of Hip-Hop related themes that has been a pattern since the 90s era, the guns and violence isn’t expressed in emo rap. In this genre, Drug use is not about is about getting high, rather masking pain. Relationships are not advocated, but rather approached as heartbreak that eventually leads to loneliness. It is shown to have an influence on the risky habits frequently glamorized in rap.

Although Emo rap is discouraged because of its bleak and melancholic influence with drugs and risky behavior, artists are now more open than ever before and this gives them empowerment to express themselves. Listeners are still exposed to toxic and hazardous chemicals, but they are encouraged by the lyrics to proceed with caution. As a listener of this genre of music, I feel Emo rap has become a global phenomenon, and it’s not hard to see why. Its powerful lyrics, captivating melodies, and large appeal draw in thousands of new listeners a day.