Is Mumble Rap Punk?

Lucem Ferre · 06-15-2017, 11:37 PM

So I've seen discussion on the webs lately about how artists like Little Yaghty are this generations version of punk music. Not necessarily in a sonic sense or even in the anarchist sense but more so in the way that they challenge the 'rules' of hip hop as a genre the same way punk did with rock. So punk was a bunch of guys who could hardly play guitar just slamming on the strings while belligerently screaming lyrics. And that of course upset a lot of the rock and roll culture. People hated it and didn't think it was 'real' music. Until it became a revolutionary thing. Now we have these kids who could hardly rhyme intentionally putting together horrible lyrics over simple beats where you can hardly understand them. And it has pissed off the hip hop culture in the same exact way. What are your thoughts?

Now, I would like to point out that not all 'mumble rappers' are horrible rappers. Travi$ Scott definitely has bars that go unappreciated simply because of his association.

Tristan_Geoff · 06-15-2017, 11:47 PM

I guess I'd have to agree just in the sense that as with the equivalents of the generic groups/artists that come with the run of the mill punk groups, there are also mumble rappers who rise above the rest and make much more artsier and endearing music out of the constraints of the genre.

OccultHawk · 06-15-2017, 11:55 PM

From what I've seen artists called "mumble rap" are what I more respectfully call Trap.

I've listened to Lil Yachty, the example you cite. Like most of those guys he relies on a hypnotic style that doesn't seem very easy to pull off to me. I don't think they're rebelling against older hip hop. I don't think they care about having anything to rebel against. So no I don't think it's like punk which was a back to basics backlash against prog basically. I also think the stereotype of popular punk musicians being incompetent instrumentalist is greatly exaggerated. They couldn't do what Yes and Pink Floyd did but the bands that caught on could construct reasonable songs.

Lucem Ferre · 06-16-2017, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

From what I've seen artists called "mumble rap" are what I more respectfully call Trap.

I've listened to Lil Yachty, the example you cite. Like most of those guys he relies on a hypnotic style that doesn't seem very easy to pull off to me. I don't think they're rebelling against older hip hop. I don't think they care about having anything to rebel against. So no I don't think it's like punk which was a back to basics backlash against prog basically. I also think the stereotype of popular punk musicians being incompetent instrumentalist is greatly exaggerated. They couldn't do what Yes and Pink Floyd did but the bands that caught on could construct reasonable songs.

Mumble rappers rap under the trap genre but I wouldn't just call them trap because then people would just think trap is mumble rap.

I think they are rebelling against older hip hop. Lil Yaghty said he didn't give a damn about 2Pac or Biggie, says he doesn't care about lyrics he just cares that it sounds good. He himself is essentially breaking the rules of what people say a rapper needs to do. Like I already mentioned though, it's not so much about the rebellion but the idea that they push the conventions of hip hop that is forced down upon us. The same way Death Grips pushed those conventions. Or ****, half the hipster rappers that people adore seem to push those conventions. Moore Mother. NAH. Won't include Run The Jewels or Danny Brown because even though both push the limits of what can be rapped over neither really stray from the conventional flows or rapping patterns and keep the technical ability that the hip hop community demands.

OccultHawk · 06-16-2017, 12:51 AM

When he says he doesn't care I think it's sincere apathy. Wiki says he's 19. I don't think he's doing anything in contrast to Biggie. He's doing what he likes without considering the roots. These guys aren't held to restrictions like artists in the 70's were. He records a song and releases it on MP3 or whatever the intangible digital medium is. The only connection to punk is that it's a new genre.

Lucem Ferre · 06-16-2017, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

When he says he doesn't care I think it's sincere apathy. Wiki says he's 19. I don't think he's doing anything in contrast to Biggie. He's doing what he likes without considering the roots. These guys aren't held to restrictions like artists in the 70's were. He records a song and releases it on MP3 or whatever the intangible digital medium is. The only connection to punk is that it's a new genre.

You really don't know **** about hip hop then. He's gotten tons of hate and backlash for being just about everything hip hop says you shouldn't be. And like I said twice before. It's less to do with the rebellion and much more to do with trying to push the limits of the genre.

OccultHawk · 06-16-2017, 01:01 AM

Death Grips is entirely different because they're obviously trying to break ground. In fact, their music lacks sincerity because it's overly conscientious.

Moor Mother is a well grounded talented artist on a higher level.

Run the Jewels and Danny Brown are searching for new ways to recycle. They're both better than Lil Yachty by far but neither seem like serious pioneers to me. They don't need to be but since it seems they want to be it could be considered a shortcoming.

Lucem Ferre · 06-16-2017, 01:06 AM

I feel as though Danny Brown's new album was basically Esham's idea for DMT Sessions but done a bit better.

Edit: Oh, and Esham MUST be considered one of the people that pushes the genre.

Edit again: And Danny Brown's album was much more jazz influenced while Esham's was more electronic music.