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Mainstream Period of Hip Hop
The mainstream ranged from the early 1990s to the end of the decade. Within this time period, we see the integration of unique words and the development of sounds into the general public wave. -
Ice Cube - AmeriKKKA Most Wanted
Ice Cube's diction in this early time within the mainstream era added emphasis to the social injustices and storytelling of the "block". He spoke on the system that has failed many young black men and leaves them in either the prison system or dead at the hands of the people who enforce the "law". With the start of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted project, Cube has used nearly 4,500 unique words. -
Wu Tang Clan - Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)
As hip-hop reaches the mainstream media, the emergence and representation of other boroughs were presented. With the introduction of the Wu-Tang Clan, Staten Island was able to be put on the map like other boroughs. The Clan was able to shift the jazz-influenced music to more hardcore music and with the diversity of the clan, they were able to rap on various topics such as urban life, martial arts, and comic books. The Clan collectively averaged over 6000 unique words -
Nas - Illmatic
Nas's Illmatic brought the stories of the block into a real-life discography which speaks on the gang rivalries and urban poverty. With this album release, Queens was put on the map, and the stories of those who were growing up in the "trenches" were highlighted. Through his storytelling, Nas was able to average over five thousand unique words. -
DMX - Its Dark and Hell is Hot
DMX's debut album of "Its Dark and Hell is Hot" brought a new aurora to the hip hop industry. Before the aggressive music would've asked for a person to be more vocalized with rhetoric but with DMX's album he was able to demand it through the aurora of his music. This pioneered the new sound for the following eras. Due to this style, he was unable to be the same as his peers when it came to the uniqueness of the words. This has him averaging at less than three thousand unique words. -
Jay Z (H.O.V) - Hard Knock Life
In Jay Z's third album Hard Knock Life, we see the exponential growth of commercialization in the Hip-Hop industry as well as the intersectionality of other groups. Jay Z in this album sees himself as more of a rapper but as the voice of the people. Jay Z has averaged around four thousand or more unique words. -
The Present Period of Hip Hop
Through the paved way of the eras before we currently indulge in the current sound wave in our industry. This period has a mixture of all eras and provides a range of versatility and simplicity at the same time. -
Tyler the Creator - Goblin
In Tyler's piece the Goblin, we see the self-production of a studio album by the newer acts. This introduces a new sense of versatility of the rappers themselves. This piece also followed the dialogue of his fictional therapist in his first piece Bastard. -
Kendrick Lamar - Section .80
Like Cole, Kendrick has followed the path of the previous generations and kept the flow of storytelling through unique word choices that allowed the listener to enter his life and the life of the music. Through his wordplay and story telling he was able to average over four thousand words. -
J.Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
Like his elder generation, Cole followed the storytelling of Nas and Cube. In his piece, Cole World: The Sideline Story, Cole speaks on his upbringing in the rap industry and his trials and tribulations that got him there. He follows this theme in other pieces such as 4 Your Eyez Only. Through these pieces, he has averaged over three thousand unique words. -
Lil Uzi Vert - Luv is Rage
Lil Uzi Verts mixtape Luv is Rage introduces a new sound into the audio wave of Hip Hop. There is an emphasis on the background music and beats other than the word choices. We see the decline of the uniqueness of the words. With Uzi discography, he has averaged less than two thousand and five hundred words. -
NBA - Young Boy - Top
In NBA - Young Boy's album, he draws influences in his music from storytelling as the previous rappers before and embraces the new beat/sound in this era. There is a heavy influence on beats and street storytelling that draws his audience. Just like Uzi, NBA Young Boy focuses on his attracting his fan base through sound.
