On: Ben Horowitz Explained

[pdeuchler]

Rap is the story telling medium of Hip Hop. Hip Hop is a style of music that can encompass everything from RnB to Soul to even some Electronic Music. Rap is Hip Hop that has a specific emphasis on lyricism, meaning, and narrative. All Rap has elements of Hip Hop, but all Hip Hop does not have elements of Rap. Obviously this is all subjective to a certain degree.

To answer your question, Jay-Z's MCHG is probably more Hip Hop than Rap, while old school Kanye is mos(t) def(initely) Rap. However, unless you plan on getting into conversations like this in the future I really wouldn't worry about the difference.

[tptacek → pdeuchler]

Ok, this makes sense. I pretty much invariably call the hip-hop/rap music I listen to "hip-hop". De La Soul? Hip-hop. Jay-Z? Hip-hop. The Roots? Hip-hop. Run DMC? Hip-hop.

[tern → tptacek]

As somebody who listens to a bit of hip hop, but very little rap, I find the distinction useful. Some hip hop (not rap) in my music library:

  - Teebs
  - Flying Lotus
  - Onra
  - Dabrye
  - Prefuse 73
  - Clams Casino
  - Phaseone
  - TNGHT
  - ARAABMUZIK

Exceptional examples: http://youtu.be/hYZ5uL35kpU, http://youtu.be/2om8SMeDJPY, http://youtu.be/HbkRvclQS4M

[simonebrunozzi → tptacek]

I did the same as you, so far. But interesting details from pdeuchler. There's always something to learn every day.