Subtle introduction to a genre: trip-hop
Talbs
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Entertainment
Let's face it, the major contributing factor as to why most white kids don't listen to hip-hop is because they can't relate to the lyrics and stories being told. I say "most" because there are exceptions.
For example, those crowds of young adults that rock out with the perfectly brimmed baseball caps and gold necklaces. There's nothing wrong with that, I just have a problem with the kids who think they're gangsters who stare down strangers in the Massena mall.
But let's get back to the point: hip-hop has awkward lyrics for white folk to listen to. For this recipe, we're going to start with the genre of hip-hop, subtract the lyrics, screw around with the instrumentals to make it a bit more complex, and somehow inject a bearable melody into it. What you are left with is a genre which goes by many names: abstract hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, downbeat, and more commonly by the name "trip-hop." The name suggests its typical downbeat nature, but let me tell you it is no more influenced by slow ambient beats and Pink Floyd than hip hop.
In fact, trip-hop can be just as upbeat and dance-able as your typical rap song instrumental.
Trip-hop was first introduced in Bristol, England in the 90's when American hip-hop really started to take influence over seas.
As with anyone, and Americans do this best, the locals will try to put a spin on a new genre so they can try their hand at emerging in the scene. Britain faced a big problem in that they couldn't really come up with solid lyrics let alone rap artists. Because of this, a wonderful thing happened, Bristol spun it another way and created a new genre rather than continue trying to imitate Americans.
Two big names you might have heard that emerged from this scene are Portishead and Massive Attack. It wasn't long until the separate genre was recognized and it spread back overseas. Years later, we can now enjoy the influence of trip-hop in the music of artists such as Radiohead, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Sigur Rós, Pheonix, and many more. See if you can pick out the giant influence of Bristol's music in those popular artists.
If you are unfamiliar with the genre be sure to check out the Bristol artists mentioned above as well as others such as Air, Moby, Blockhead, Mingle, Bonobo, The Avalanches, Tricky, and Morcheeba. Listen well and you will not be disappointed.
For example, those crowds of young adults that rock out with the perfectly brimmed baseball caps and gold necklaces. There's nothing wrong with that, I just have a problem with the kids who think they're gangsters who stare down strangers in the Massena mall.
But let's get back to the point: hip-hop has awkward lyrics for white folk to listen to. For this recipe, we're going to start with the genre of hip-hop, subtract the lyrics, screw around with the instrumentals to make it a bit more complex, and somehow inject a bearable melody into it. What you are left with is a genre which goes by many names: abstract hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, downbeat, and more commonly by the name "trip-hop." The name suggests its typical downbeat nature, but let me tell you it is no more influenced by slow ambient beats and Pink Floyd than hip hop.
In fact, trip-hop can be just as upbeat and dance-able as your typical rap song instrumental.
Trip-hop was first introduced in Bristol, England in the 90's when American hip-hop really started to take influence over seas.
As with anyone, and Americans do this best, the locals will try to put a spin on a new genre so they can try their hand at emerging in the scene. Britain faced a big problem in that they couldn't really come up with solid lyrics let alone rap artists. Because of this, a wonderful thing happened, Bristol spun it another way and created a new genre rather than continue trying to imitate Americans.
Two big names you might have heard that emerged from this scene are Portishead and Massive Attack. It wasn't long until the separate genre was recognized and it spread back overseas. Years later, we can now enjoy the influence of trip-hop in the music of artists such as Radiohead, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Sigur Rós, Pheonix, and many more. See if you can pick out the giant influence of Bristol's music in those popular artists.
If you are unfamiliar with the genre be sure to check out the Bristol artists mentioned above as well as others such as Air, Moby, Blockhead, Mingle, Bonobo, The Avalanches, Tricky, and Morcheeba. Listen well and you will not be disappointed.
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