Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genre of popular music: Rap music is a genre of African-American music that emerged prominently in the 1980s and 1990s. It is characterized by rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted or spoken over musical accompaniment, typically featuring beats and samples.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Rap music often addresses social and political issues.
  • He is a big fan of 1990s rap music.
  • The evolution of rap music has influenced global culture.

Advanced Usage

• "The golden age of rap music": A period, often cited as the late 1980s to mid-1990s, noted for its innovation and diversity within the genre.
  • Many classic albums were released during the golden age of rap music.

Variants and Related Words

• Rap (n): Often used as a shorter form of "rap music." It can also refer specifically to the vocal style.
  • He prefers rap to other genres.
• Rapper (n): A performer who raps.
  • The rapper is known for his complex lyrics.
• Hip-hop (n): A broader cultural movement that includes rap music, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. Rap music is a key component of hip-hop culture.
  • Hip-hop culture encompasses more than just rap music.

Synonyms

• Hip-hop music: While often used interchangeably, "hip-hop" can refer to the wider culture, with "rap" specifically denoting the musical and vocal style.
• MCing: An older term emphasizing the role of the Master of Ceremonies or vocalist.

Related Phrases

• To rap (v): The action of performing rap lyrics.
  • He can rap very fast.
• Rap battle (n): A contest in which rappers compete by improvising or reciting insults and boasts against each other.
  • The rap battle was intense.

Related Idioms

• Drop a rap: To perform or release a rap song.
  • The artist is about to drop a new rap.
• Spit rhymes: To rap, emphasizing the lyrical content.
  • He can spit rhymes for hours.

Noun

1. genre of African-American music of the 1980s and 1990s in which rhyming lyrics are chanted to a musical accompaniment; several forms of rap have emerged