Born in the South, Memphis rap is a style of music that has grown to be one of the most influential subgenres for modern-day rap and hip hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many would say that Atlanta is the city that defines the sound of today\u2019s rap music. However, before the label of trap music was given to the Southern hip hop sound coming from artists like T.I., Memphis had already laid the sonic foundation for what would become trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a time when the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes dominated the music industry, the South had to come together to form its own sonic identity, heavily influenced by the sound established in Memphis. Going back to the ’80s and listening to Unfinished Business<\/em> by DJ Spanish Fly,<\/a> you\u2019ll find a lot in common with today\u2019s sound. Even one of the biggest (t)rap producers from Atlanta, Metro Boomin, publicly states the Memphis sound to be one of his biggest influences.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only did the sound of Memphis rap, with its heavy 808s, cowbells, bouncy triplet hi-hat patterns, dark keys, and vocal chants stand the test of time\u2014but the DIY mindset of the Memphis rap scene continues to influence artists to this day. Would we have artists like Russ, who became successful with no support from a label, without the pioneering DIY culture of Memphis rap?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the decades, the city\u2019s direct contribution to chart-topping hits like “Stay Fly,” “Chickenhead,” “Look Alive,” and “Yeah Glo!” make it impossible to ignore the influence of Memphis rap on today\u2019s modern hip hop sound and its continued relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n