raprock

Rap rock, also known as rap metal or rapcore, is a fusion genre that combines hip hop vocal delivery with rock instrumentation. It typically features electric guitars and drums with sampled loops or DJ scratching, and often includes guest rappers or MCs performing verses over rock arrangements. The style emerged in the late 1980s and gained mainstream attention in the 1990s, when bands such as Rage Against the Machine combined dense guitar riffs and politically charged rap. Early examples drew on funk, metal, and punk influences, and some bands incorporated hip hop production techniques.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the genre achieved commercial success through acts like Limp Bizkit, Korn, and Linkin Park. Linkin Park in particular fused rap verses by Mike Shinoda with melodic vocal hooks by Chester Bennington and electronic textures, helping bring rap rock to a broader audience. Other notable acts include P.O.D., Papa Roach, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who integrated rap-like phrasing into rock. The style contributed to the broader nu metal and crossover movements and influenced later bands that blended genres.

Reception to rap rock has been mixed. Proponents cite its energy and accessibility, while critics point to stylistic clichés and occasional lack of musical cohesion between rapped verses and rock choruses. Today, rap rock remains a recognized subgenre within rock and metal, with artists continuing to experiment with rap-influenced vocal delivery and rock instrumentation.