Southern Rap

Towards the end of the gangsta rap era, hip hop culture was beginning to blend a lot of styles together and this was happening more towards the sense, hence this broad umbrella term "southern rap." With this type of terminology, it is the first time there is not a coast centric ideal within the hip hop and rap community.

Although it is counted "Southern Rap," there are many different subgenres throughout different geographic locations in the South.

Arrested Development was an alternative hip hop group who released a song called "Tennessee." The group was formed in Atlanta and had an afrocentric vibe. There were visually similar to A Tribe Called Quest, and their music was more about identity and social awareness.

In Texas, a prominent group was Three 6 Mafia, with a record called "Sippin' On Some Syrup" which was a much slower record with a hazy type of production. Bounce music also existed under the Southern Rap umbrella. Bounce music was found in the New Orleans area with a Mardi Gras vibe. This music seemed more juvenile with its lyrics and was built on heavy drumline styles.

Southern gangsta music also existed under "Southern Rap." The Geto Boys were a southern gangsta group out of Houston, Texas. The Geto Boys gained popularity because of their controversial lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences and necrophilia.

As you can probably tell, all these groups are quite different, yet were labeled under this "Southern Rap" umbrella. Take a listen to Arrested Development's "Tennessee."

#hiphopculture #southernrap