How's it going lurkers? I have been meaning to share more Rap Music but I always end up doing the opposite. Today, I have some Horrorcore Rap.
Horrorcore is a Rap sub-genre based on Horror-themed lyrical content with Horror movie scores and dark imagery. This music sub-genre derived from Hardcore and Gangsta Rap groups such as Geto Boys, Gravediggaz, and Flatlinerz.
Gravediggaz and Flatlinerz made the term, "Horrorcore" popular. Horrorcore primarily focuses on Horror-influenced topics. This can include the controversial topics such as cannibalism, self-harm, suicide, murder, torture, rape, Satanism, and supernatural themes.
Most Horrorcore lyrics are inspired by Horror movies over "moody, hardcore beats."
The sub-genre is also considered to be the Death Rap version of Death Metal because of its lyrical content.
Horrorcore rapper, Mars stated, "If you take Stephen King or Wes Craven and you throw them on a rap beat, that's who I am."
The sub-genre supposedly originated 34 years ago with Jimmy Spicer's 1980 single, "Adventures Of Super Rhyme." In the song, the rapper recounts his experience of meeting Dracula.
When I heard the song, I visualized Bauhaus' Peter Murphy performing "Rapper's Delight" over some Disco. I wonder how many people did The Electric Slide to "Adventures of Super Rhyme" in the clubs.
I barely learned about Horrorcore, 2 decades ago. It seems like this particular Rap sub-genre gained more prominence, during the early to mid-90's.
I remember MTV News' Kurt Loder briefly reporting about the Horrorcore sub-genre in 1994. There were several Horrorcore rappers releasing their debut albums that year.
Debut albums by Flatlinerz and Gravediggaz both released in 1994.
The more I think about it, those were probably the 2 Horrorcore Rap groups that Kurt Loder interviewed, 20 years ago.
Based on what I have read about this Rap sub-genre, rappers have debated WHO coined the term "Horrorcore" and who founded it. Some say it was Jimmy Spicer.
According to Insane Clown Posse's (ICP) Violent J, Geto Boys' song, "Assassins" (from their debut album, Making Trouble), introduced Horrorcore Rap.
Meanwhile, Kool Keith claims HE "invented" the sub-genre. Horrorcore Rap never became a mainstream sub-genre. This is highly understandable given the sub-genre's lyrical content.
However, Detroit, MI's ICP and Twiztid have sold well as Horrorcore rappers.
Eminem is not an actual Horrorcore rapper but he wrote SOME Horrorcore songs like "Cleaning Out My Closet," for example.
Since I'm currently on the topic of Detroit, MI rappers, there is a super show called Wickedstock, that is held annually.
Since Halloween 2003, Horrorcore rappers unite internationally online and release free compilations of Devilz Nite.
Supposedly, Horrorcore Rap is doing well over the Internet. It started having a massive American and European following in 2004.
There are various Horrorcore and Non-Horrorcore rappers, who have contributed to the sub-genre. The following are additional rappers, who have contributed to Horrorcore Rap:
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big L, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Brotha Lynch Hung, Cage, Dana Dane, Necro, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Esham and Natas, Insane Poetry, King Gordy, Kung Fu Vampire, Prozak, Swollen Members,Tech N9ne, Three 6 Mafia, and Tyler, The Creator
Listening to Horrorcore is rather interesting. The sub-genre automatically reminds me of the movie, Tales From The Hood.
Tales From The Hood Trailer (1995)
1) Jimmy Spicer "Adventures of Super Rhyme" Single (1980)
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