What is backpacker Rap? Why do brehs hate it?

[DOSDUMUNI]

Backpack rap is called backpack rap because of the producers. The term began to circulate around 1997/1998

They would carry tons of vinyl and whatnot out the record store in said backpacks. This later evolved into the emcees adopting the term because of the dozens of rhyme books they would be holding in their backpack for battles, cyphers, etc. Mainly following the tradition of the Kid Capris, Pete Rocks, DJ Evil Dees, and Q-Tips an era before them (1988-1994)

And being that these types of producers were more eclectic and underground, the name stuck and became the moniker to their sound. Backpack rap.

The name helped set this subgenre apart while other sounds and waves like the "bling bling" and "shiny suit" eras were also popular amongst hip-hop fans.

First groups to adopt this term were the likes of:

Black Star
Binary Star
Da Bush Babees
MF Doom
GZA
BCC
The Beatnuts
Heiroglyphics

etc

 

[DOSDUMUNI]

it was a term created around 2002 or 2003 that symbolized rap like Aesop Rock, 7L & Esoteric, MF Doom, Cage, and a bunch of nonthreatening hip hop that college kids were into on the forums(which were becoming big at the time). Sandboxautomatic and HIphopsite.com made thousands off selling albums and autographed merch of artists that weren't mainstream. Backpack/nerd rap imo was basically rap college kids were into that wasn't really street. Normal guys being themselves. Living Legends were a dope crew that birthed guys like Murs, Eligh, and Grouch and considered "nerd/backpack".

This isn't true.

 

[Buzzed Lightyear]

Backpack rap is called backpack rap because of the producers. The term began to circulate around 1997/1998

They would carry tons of vinyl and whatnot out the record store in said backpacks. This later evolved into the emcees adopting the term because of the dozens of rhyme books they would be holding in their backpack for battles, cyphers, etc. Mainly following the tradition of the Kid Capris, Pete Rocks, DJ Evil Dees, and Q-Tips an era before them (1988-1994)

And being that these types of producers were more eclectic and underground, the name stuck and became the moniker to their sound. Backpack rap.

The name helped set this subgenre apart while other sounds and waves like the "bling bling" and "shiny suit" eras were also popular amongst hip-hop fans.

First groups to adopt this term were the likes of:

Black Star
Binary Star
Da Bush Babees
MF Doom
GZA
BCC
The Beatnuts
Heiroglyphics

etc

Can't forget Jurassic 5.

Another thing about backpack rappers is when they're about to start spitting they hit you with that "Yo, yo, yo, yo" & then jump into their verse.

 

[DOSDUMUNI]

Can't forget Jurassic 5.

Another thing about backpack rappers is when they're about to start spitting they hit you with that "Yo, yo, yo, yo" & then jump into their verse.

lmao

 

[Pop123]

In hip hop, gangsta/street became the Default over the decades...you're almost expected to be that. If you're not, you're kinda considered a weirdo. The weirdo shyt has become a thing too tho so you can have a lane there if you're a youngin. Backpack falls under the "not-gangsta" category so it's weirdo to an extent...but not enough to appease the weirdo fan base. It's really in a bad place, ...I think most backpack types are overseas at this point.

 

[How Sway?]

Do yall consider Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lupe, and Kanye backpackers? Also, I remember when Kanye use to wear backpacks in photos.

Talib and mos def are. Talib for sure.

Lupe straddles the fence of being a backpacker and "street conscious". (i.e. pac, nas, ice cube, common, scarface, etc.) Actually I'd put mos def in this category as well.



Kanye otoh is NOT a backpack rapper.

Which is ironic because he was sort of the unofficial face of "backpack" rappers in the mainstream during the 2000s.

But that's only because his music went against the grain of the conventional rapper at that time, and also because he actually wore a backpack. But like posters have said, the term had been misappropriated.

If anything Kanye is more along the lines of Mase but with more thought provoking content.

 

[Awesome Wells]

I was not a fan of backpack rap. This was the era where corny white boys flooded the underground and watered it down back in the days when the underground was strictly rugged hardcore shyt.

This here.

It started in the mid to late 90's. When the posers came in and started making wack obscure shyt that mostly suburban kids fukked with. Same dudes tried to divide the underground. It was all these new people who didn't really know much about the culture, but wanted to be a part of it by acting like they were anti-commercial rap or whatever. It was a way for certain subpar wannabe rappers to feel like they were making "real" Hip Hop, after years of not being accepted by actual heads who rejected them before. The term was used widely in the 2000's, but started as a way for the fakes to feel like they belonged.

 

[Rozay Oro]

I dont consider strange fruit project backpack. Underground yes, they too smooth as a group similar to Little Brother and Slum Village. But I would say People Under the Stairs would be a great example of back pack rap(I honestly hate the term).

Oh ok, them beats too smooth for them boring ass nikkas. They ain’t say shyt. As much as Ye got in the beginning and nikkas hating on Cons for being all over the the fourth tribe album. They actually charismatic. These under the stairs nikkas are trash. nikka said he was drinking with his friends and freestyling all night. Lmao that’s so lame.

 

[Rozay Oro]

Do yall consider Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lupe, and Kanye backpackers? Also, I remember when Kanye use to wear backpacks in photos.

No, conscious but definitely nice on the mic. Quotables and classics. Backpack nikkas got the personality of a tree.

 

[darealvelle]

Oh ok, them beats too smooth for them boring ass nikkas. They ain’t say shyt. As much as Ye got in the beginning and nikkas hating on Cons for being all over the the fourth tribe album. They actually charismatic. These under the stairs nikkas are trash. nikka said he was drinking with his friends and freestyling all night. Lmao that’s so lame.

Thes One a dope producer, but they raps are more to be desired lol.

 

[EA]

I’ve never liked the term backpack rap because the likes of Slum Village, Little Brother, Black Milk, Tanya Morgan, Mickey Factz, Lupe, Blu, etc don’t fit into the box you think of when discussing backpackers. The level of musicality, themes and storytelling isn’t anything close to the stream of consciousness, rappity rap aesthetic the likes of Aesop Rock, Slug & Atmosphere have.

By today’s standards, pre-So Far Gone Drake would be considered backpack as he was working closely with Slakah, Hazel and other non-mainstream producers.

 

[Rozay Oro]

Who the fukk are these nikkas

 

[Deltron]

thread title reminds me of this:

Michael Jordan: "What is a Rakim? Is that hard rap?"

 

[Rozay Oro]

You mean Tanya Morgan. I got a dope story about Tonya Morgan when I first met them and was hanging out with them and didn't know who the fukk they were lol. And they were the headliners of our show that night. I was just talking to those guys like they were fans or something hanging out with us.

Strange Fruit Project's album was fire!! They had one of my favorite 9th wonder beats with "special" on that album.

LOL yeah my bad. That’s dope, I’m have to check that song cause idr it

 

[Rozay Oro]

thread title reminds me of this:

Michael Jordan: "What is a Rakim? Is that hard rap?"