Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Midwestern hip-hop
Music genre From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Midwestern hip-hop, also known as Midwestern rap, is a style of hip-hop that originated in the Midwest region of the United States. The genre initially gained popularity in the mid-1990s thanks to extremely fast rappers known as "choppers", such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (Cleveland), Twista and Da Brat (Chicago), Tech N9ne (Kansas City), Atmosphere (Minneapolis), and Eminem (Detroit).[1][2]
However, while these artists were the first to introduce Midwest rap which rivaled the popularity of West Coast and East Coast styles, a new wave of groups and artists began to emerge, such as Nelly, D12, Common, and Kanye West, although they shared very few similarities with their predecessors. Other notable rappers and producers from the Midwest include Brother Ali, Lupe Fiasco, Royce Da 5'9", J Dilla, and Elzhi, Kid Cudi, Freddie Gibbs, and Obie Trice.[3][4]
Remove ads
Style
Although the Midwest hip hop scene encompasses a wide range of local styles, several recurring characteristics are commonly associated with the region. One of the most notable elements is the tempo, which often varies between 90 and 180 beats per minute, reflecting a broad rhythmic spectrum.[5] A particularly distinctive feature is the use of fast-paced and rhythmically complex vocal delivery, commonly referred to as chopper style. This technique, popularized by artists such as Eminem, Twista, Da Brat, and Tech N9ne, is characterized by rapid articulation, intricate rhyme schemes, and precise control of timing and breath. In addition to its technical emphasis, Midwest hip hop frequently integrates melodic components, such as sung hooks and harmonized vocals, into its structure. The combination of accelerated lyricism and melodic expression has contributed to a stylistic identity that is both rhythmically dynamic and musically adaptable. Nevertheless, significant regional variation persists across the Midwest, and differences in production, themes, and delivery between cities and states often prevent the formation of a singular, unified musical aesthetic.[5][6]
Remove ads
Scenes
Summarize
Perspective
Depending on the geographical location of the city (north or south), Midwest rappers draw from different influences, which results in a wide diversity of sounds.
Chicago
Chicago (Illinois), the largest city in the Midwest and the third-largest in the United States, was not immune to the rise of hip-hop culture in the early 1990s. During the golden age of rap, a number of talented artists emerged, such as Common, whose music is characterized by a heavy use of jazz and soul samples, as well as a thoughtful writing style. The charismatic Twista, widely recognized as the rapper with the fastest flow, also gained prominence, along with Da Brat, a rapper who achieved great success during this period, discovered in part by producer Jermaine Dupri of the So So Def label. Other notable names from the scene include Lupe Fiasco, Crucial Conflict, Rhymefest, Do or Die, Snypaz, Bump J and GLC. Chicago is also home to many underground rappers who remain largely unknown outside the borders of Illinois, or even outside the city itself.[7][8]
Chicago has a thriving underground rap scene. Blogs like Fake Shore Drive, SBG (See Beyond Genre), and Midwest Live have become the "central nerve" of the local underground rap community.[9] A 2009 film, I Am Hip Hop: The Chicago Hip Hop Documentary, chronicles Chicago’s underground rap scene between 2004 and 2009.[10] That same year, the song Legendary, released by Chicago rappers Saurus and Bones, Twista, and AK-47 of Do or Die, showcased a Midwest style featuring rapid-fire lyrics and a dark beat. Kevin Beecham, also known as Formless, compiled and wrote The Chicago Hip Hop Story, which is featured on the Chicago-based hip-hop label Galapagos4’s website.[11]
Drill music
Chicago drill music, which emerged in the early 2010s, quickly established itself as a defining subgenre within the Midwest hip-hop landscape and gained significant influence across the United States. Chief Keef is widely credited as a pioneer of the genre with his breakout 2012 single "I Don’t Like", which brought drill music to national attention and inspired a wave of artists in and beyond Chicago. His debut album Finally Rich further solidified his influence, introducing a broader audience to the sound of Chicago drill.[12]. His early work helped define the sound with its minimalistic yet menacing production and his confrontational style. G Herbo, another key figure emerging from Chicago's drill scene, gained critical acclaim for blending aggressive lyricism with introspective storytelling, notably on albums like Humble Beast and PTSD, which have helped expand the emotional range of drill music[13]. Lil Durk, originally one of the pioneers of the drill movement in the early 2010s, has since evolved into one of its most influential figures, distinguished by his ability to incorporate melodic structures and emotional introspection into the genre’s traditionally abrasive sound. By 2019, with the release of projects such as Love Songs 4 the Streets 2 and Just Cause Y'all Waited 2, he had effectively expanded his reach beyond the Chicago scene, establishing a prominent presence on the international hip-hop stage.[14][15]. His collaborations with high-profile artists such as Lil Baby and Polo G have helped drill transcend Chicago, pushing it into the mainstream hip-hop scene[16]. King Von, a protégé of Lil Durk and a key figure until his tragic death in 2020, became known for his vivid storytelling and authentic depiction of street life, further adding emotional and narrative depth to the drill sound. With Welcome to O’Block, he cemented his legacy as one of the genre’s most compelling voices, blending raw lyricism with cinematic intensity.[17]. Together, these artists represent a generation that both honors drill’s raw, confrontational roots and pushes its boundaries by incorporating melodic elements and broader themes, ensuring the genre’s continued evolution and cultural relevance[18].
Cleveland
The most popular group from this Ohio city is Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.[19] Their style follows the Midwest tradition with fast flows, similar to rapper MGK, while remaining highly effective. However, their musical influences lean more toward the West Coast.[20]
Detroit
.jpg)
Detroit is one of the key cities that put the Midwest on the map (largely thanks to Eminem). The style closely resembles East Coast rap, but often with a darker and more unhinged twist, as exemplified by Eminem and D12.[21] Detroit is home to a good number of classic artists (including the already mentioned Eminem) such as Royce da 5'9", Trick-Trick, and Obie Trice, as well as emerging stars like J Dilla, the legendary figure, and newcomers like Elzhi from Slum Village, PPP, Frank-N-Dank, and Black Milk. Curtis Hanson's film 8 mile, featuring Eminem, explores the rap scene in Detroit. "Lose Yourself", featured on the film's soundtrack, won the Oscar for Best Original Song.[22]
St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri has always been a lively city that has adapted to the music that has been created there. While several artists like Nelly, Murphy Lee, and Chingy have achieved national and international fame, the city has also produced a number of local successes and rappers, such as Sylk Smoove, Da Hol 9, Taylor Made, County Brown, Pretty Willie, Out of Order, Raw Reese, Vic Damone, Spaide Ripper, and Ruka Puff, along with some of the best rap songs from St. Louis like My Life Is Like a Whirlwind, Mobb Out, Nina Pop, Nikki, and Catch 22.[23]
Kansas City
For the city of Kansas City (Missouri), Tech N9ne is the iconic ambassador. Other artists from the city include Fat Tone. Eminem, meanwhile, was born on the outskirts of Kansas City but spent most of his life in Detroit (Michigan).[24]
Minneapolis
Sandman stands out, as he released two albums, The King of Hallucination and No Secrets No Lies, which are simply massive but quite difficult to find in France. In the underground rap scene, Sandman is one of the most talented artists. However, it is primarily the group Atmosphere that put the city of Minneapolis (Minnesota) on the map of rap. Rhymesayers Entertainment has made a significant contribution to the development of rap in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–Saint Paul) by producing quality artists such as Brother Ali, Atmosphere, Toki Wright, and others.[25][26]
Remove ads
See also
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads