Exploring Musical Genres

By: Aurelyn & Ruth

HistoryRap was invented during the late 70’s and early

80’s, and grew out of hip-hop, originating from the people of Africa and African Americans.

It became very common in inner-streets and schoolyards. It was known to be a “Street Art”.

Early rapping was about hardships in life, caution about drug use, teenage love, and even critical remarks on other rappers.

Rap represented the understanding in the nations of black America.

It was a developing reputation among black teens especially in the USA.

The first rap record was released by the Sugarhill label and is now popular amongst song writers and artists.

Background: Sugarhill Gang

Artists of RapArtists of RapArtists of rap include:Artists of rap include:- Jay – Z- Jay – Z- Lil MamaLil Mama- EminemEminem- Missy ElliotMissy Elliot- T.IT.I- B.O.BB.O.B- 50 Cent50 Cent- Lil WayneLil Wayne- LumideeLumidee- LudacrisLudacris- Flo – RidaFlo – Rida- Tony SunshineTony Sunshine

What is Rap?

Rap is a musical rock genre in where there is a synthesised beat in the background, whilst the singer doesn’t sing but speaks promptly one word after another.

It often contains rhythmical lyrics and African American slang.

The voice of the singer is often blended as well. Only one singer usually sings where rap is said.

Rap is not played through one song itself, but it is used in other genres such as R&B and Hip-Hop.

Background:Coolio

Example

An example of a song that contains rap that we’re presenting is

‘Nothing On You’ by B.O.B featuring Bruno Mars.

Structure

Chorus/Solo [Bruno Mars]Verse 1 [B.O.B]

Bridge [Bruno Mars]Chorus 2 [Bruno Mars]

Verse 2 [B.O.B]Bridge 2 [Bruno Mars]Chorus 3 [Bruno Mars]Bridge 3/Solo [B.O.B]

Chorus 4 [Bruno Mars]Outro [B.O.B]

Analysis Chorus/Solo:At the start of the song a syncopated sound is echoed before the

opening chorus is sung to steady notes played by the piano. During this opening chorus a syncopated sound uses long notes to accompany the vocals and piano.

Verse 1:In the 1st verse, the lead singer [B.O.B] comes in just before the end of

Bruno Mar’s solo. In this verse the riff is still played by the piano from the first chorus using the same notes. In the background the drums are being played. This is where B.O.B begins to rap over the background music. There are 8 lines in this verse. The last word of each line is repeated before commencing to the next line. All of the

end words rhyme. Bridge:

The bridge is similar to the 1st verse, except it is sung by Bruno Mars and the rhythmic pattern changes. Instead, the last word of the line

rhymes with the last word of the following line. On the 2nd half of the bridge, B.O.B imitates the last few words that Bruno Mars sings.

Analysis: Continued Chorus 2:The 2nd chorus is also very similar to the first. The riff of the

piano is played here as well, along with the drum beats. It is too sung by Bruno Mars, and B.O.B teases on the last words of each line. Vocals sing again after the line of ‘Nothing on you baby’. There are synthesised beats in the background.

Verse 2:Precisely alike to the 1st verse, the first half of this part of

the structure is exactly the same, repeating the last word of each line, apart from the second half of this piece

where the words are not repeated. The piano and drums are still being played.

Bridge 2:This 2nd bridge is exactly the same from the first bridge, only

the words differ. Chorus 3:

This 3rd chorus is exactly played the same as the 2nd chorus.

Analysis: Continued Bridge 3/Solo: This piece is sung by B.O.B. In the background of rapping, B.O.B sings

over a variety of instruments. These include the sounds of a piano & tambourines, and vocals which do not play along with the other instruments.

Chorus 4:The 4th chorus is played exactly the same as the others.

Outro:This last piece of the sing structure is sung by B.O.B. The beats in the

background of the previous chorus is still used here and the music as well as his voice slowly diminishes at the end.

Genre’s CharacteristicsThroughout the whole song, it keeps to one riff played by the piano, using high pitched

notes. The background music is shared using a variety of instruments. The instruments that were used in this song were:

- Vocals- call and response and an effect to lead singer. Lead singers use rhyme in rap verses.

- Drum Kit- attracts the audience to the beats of the music.- Tambourine- added leaps to make the music sound jerky.- Synthesised beats.- Piano- keeps the rhythm in tune.In this song, rap was used in all of the verses and bridges. Call and response was

generally used at the end of each line.The choruses did not use rap, instead it was sung. Oddly, this melody starts off with a chorus rather than a verse or intro.

EvaluationThis song uses many syncopated words, making it easier to say the word

‘faster’.During the choruses, the singer sing at a slow to moderate tempo. When it

comes to the verses and bridges, the tempo rises faster, when they are rapping.

The riff, being played by the piano uses a high pitched variety of short and long notes and plays moving up and down.

Parts of the music uses call and response, although, the vocals do not repeat what the singer/rapper calls. In this song, only the singers respond to each other repeating the last word they say.

The rhythmic pattern in the background music stays the same throughout the whole composition.

We think this song was the best song we could use to represent our musical genre ‘rap’ because it shows how hip hop and rap are closely related and uses rap elements .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Metro Lyrics; Beyond the words- Info available at: http://www.metrolyrics.com/nothin-on-you-lyrics-bob.html

All Sands; Over 7000 Grains of Knowledge & Counting...- Info available at: http://www.allsands.com/Music/Bio/historyofrapm_xrw_gn.htm

Daryl Tay.net; Info available at: http://daryltay.net/2010/05/music-mondays-72-b-o-b-nothin-on-you-feat-bruno-mars/

Listen To The Music; Fifth Edition, I. Dorricott, McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd.

The Story of Music; Volume 6, From Rock and Pop to Hip-Hop, Grolier Educational © 2001 Brown Partworks Ltd.

Year 8 Music WorkBook Part 2; Exploring Musical Genres.