The Musical Artistry of Rap

For years Rap artists have met with mixed reception--acclaimed by fans yet largely overlooked by scholars. Focusing on 135 tracks from 56 artists, this survey appraises the artistry of the genre with updates to the traditional methods and measures of musicology.
Rap synthesizes rhythmic vocals with complex beats, intonational systems, song structures, orchestration and instrumentalism. The author advances a rethinking of musical notation and challenges the conventional understanding of Rap through analysis of such artists as Eminem, Kanye West and Jean Grae.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments deletevi

Foreword by Kyle Adams

Introduction

1.¿Rhythm

2.¿Melody

3.¿Motivic Development

4.¿Structure and Performance Practice

5.¿Texture and Orchestration

6.¿Instrumentalism

7.¿Masters of the Form

Epilogue

Afterword by Ilan Zechory

Appendix: Songs Analyzed

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Martin E. Connor is a leading musicological expert and journalist on rap music who has contributed interviews, research materials, voiceovers, and articles to Harvard University and the University of Colorado, and has written for HipHopDX, Complex, The Source and BET. He lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Product details

• Authors: Martin E. Connor
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 26.01.2018
• EAN: 9780786498987
• ISBN: 978-0-7864-9898-7
• No. of pages: 227
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 12 mm
• Weight: 290 g
• Illustrations: Raster,schwarz-weiss
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > Miscellaneous; Rap and Hip Hop, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Rap & Hip Hop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Popular Music