What is backpacker Rap? Why do brehs hate it?

[IllmaticDelta]

Also, it's a myth that backpack rappers didn't rap about b1tches or street stuff....they just did in a way that was different from the ultra-mainstream/top 40, scene.

 

[Tryna Makit]

The only Rapper I ever listened too that could be considered backpack is
Lupe Fiasco.


Is he a backpack rapper?

 

[darealvelle]

Why is it y’all call everyone who ain’t a gangster a square? shyt is corny. It reduces down to two categories, street or square.

Square is actually not a negative term. Square means your on the right path and got direction and avoiding mischief.

 

[DOSDUMUNI]

Y'all nikkas don't even know what y'all are talking about.

Backpack rap had nothing to do with subject matter. It was a derogatory term for nikkas who did nothing but rap and make beats.

Y'all nikkas is stupid

 

[Harry B]

Y'all nikkas don't even know what y'all are talking about.

Backpack rap had nothing to do with subject matter. It was a derogatory term for nikkas who did nothing but rap and make beats.

Y'all nikkas is stupid

What? It was a derogatory term for a certain type of rap fan and rap music. It wasn't the subject of matter, but the style of the music was similar.
Basically it was exactly what a "hipster" is today but limited to rap music.

 

[DOSDUMUNI]

I'm passionate about this subject because I'm an avid hip-hop head and the real story need to be told about this shyt. The first backpack rap nikkaz was REAL nikkaZ. They just didn't hit the clubs n shyt or try to look flashy. They rapped they ass off and made it their whole universe like a student taking "rap class" would on that type of shyt. Always with they backpack full of raps. Or always with they backpack full of vinyl. Backpackers.

 

[DOSDUMUNI]

What? It was a derogatory term for a certain type of rap fan and rap music. It wasn't the subject of matter, but the style of the music was similar.
Basically it was exactly what a "hipster" is today but limited to rap music.

They called cats backpackers back then "backpackers" because they'd always bring backpacks to the studio...and would rather write they raps, go to battles, or be in cyphers or cop new vinyl instead of hit the club (shiny suit/bling bling era) or ride out on nikkaz (gangsta rap)

It was a new community within rap who did nothing but RAP. And make beats the traditional way. And yes they were labeled as "corny" or lyrical miracles because they saw no purpose in anything outside of the essential elements of rap being in hip-hop. This was the beginning of the "rap purist" term.

That nickname then became a term of endearment. Yeah so what you can call us "backpackers" on the subway. U can call us "backpackers" on the block. But you know what? We rap better than you. And our beats ain't washed down. We'll run the underground.

It never meant the subject matter. It labeled a culture within the culture. Nothing more.

That college rap / "intelligent rap" shyt has NOTHING to do with the term backpack rap.

 

[EA]

Man thank god for back pack rappers. Because being black isn’t just street shyt or hood shyt. I’m glad there’s a lane for regular “squares” as myself to express ourselves with hip hop. The blog era was dope and everyday you found new and original artist from all over doing their thing. They try to make it a bad thing because nikkas from the hood have a chip on their shoulder about blacks from the “burbs”. Back pack rap saved hip hop because it was getting stagnant. We need another form of it now with all these drill rappers sounding the exact same.

I’d argue the likes of Saba, Mick Jenkins, Smino, Vic Mensa and other Soulection-adjacent type rappers are this generation’s version of backpack rappers.

 

[Urbanmiracle]

Why is it y’all call everyone who ain’t a gangster a square? shyt is corny. It reduces down to two categories, street or square.

Because people want to try to quantify you and place you in a box. A category. The fukking reason we calling it street rap vs back pack rap. It should all be just rap. No matter where it comes from or it’s form. It just be hip hop.

 

[Pop123]

Square is actually not a negative term. Square means your on the right path and got direction and avoiding mischief.

Right…but in rap being a square is like having cooties. Being on the wrong path, directionless and getting into mischief is cool in hip hop.


Imagine if being a square was cool and being a criminal/gangsta/pimp/demon was corny cornball shyt…. Beautiful thought.

 

[CrimsonTider]

Right…but in rap being a square is like having cooties. Being on the wrong path, directionless and getting into mischief is cool in hip hop.


Imagine if being a square was cool and being a criminal/gangsta/pimp/demon was corny cornball shyt…. Beautiful thought.

The world doesn’t work that way

 

[Pop123]

The world doesn’t work that way

Yes it does, lol, in the real world squares run everything. The gangstas and goons and derelicts be broke, unemployed and incarcerated champ.

In hip hop tho, the place where everyone…even the adults…are childish and immature, it doesn’t work that way.

 

[CrimsonTider]

Yes it does, lol, in the real world squares run everything. The gangstas and goons and derelicts be broke, unemployed and incarcerated champ.

In hip hop tho, the place where everyone…even the adults…are childish and immature, it doesn’t work that way.

Squares don’t dictate what’s cool or pop culture

 

[KingsOfKings]

 

[xiceman191]

Squares don’t dictate what’s cool or pop culture

The squares are the ones making the money though. Black people make shyt cool all the time but black people ain't the ones profiting off of it.