rap

Rap is a musical form and cultural practice characterized by rhythmic vocal delivery, often with rhymes, over a beat or instrumental track. It originated in African American communities in the United States during the 1970s as part of hip-hop culture. Early innovations by DJs and MCs in the Bronx—such as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa—helped establish rapping as a performative technique that accompanied breakbeats and party-oriented DJing. The genre gained mainstream exposure with the Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 single "Rapper’s Delight" and evolved through the 1980s into diverse regional styles.

In rap, verses typically carry the narrative or message, delivered in time with a rhythm, and are often joined by a chorus or hook. Common features include rhyme schemes, wordplay, alliteration, internal rhymes, and storytelling. Production emphasizes a beat or instrumental, created with sampling, drum machines, and digital software; lyrics are delivered with attention to rhythm and cadence over the track’s tempo. Flow refers to the delivery’s speed, articulation, and rhythmic pattern.

Rap is a central element of hip-hop, alongside DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti. It has spawned numerous subgenres and regional scenes, including old-school, gangsta, conscious, alternative, trap, and drill, with stylistic variation across eras and geographies. The genre has had substantial cultural impact and global commercial success, while also attracting critique regarding lyrical themes and industry practices. See also: hip-hop, MC, DJ.