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Horrorcore 

"Death rap" redirects here. For the Necro album, see Death Rap.
Horrorcore
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins
Early 1990s United States
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity Underground in early 1990s, high in mid-late 1990s, low since then

Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music described by Entertainment Weekly in 1995 as a "blend of hardcore rap and bloodthirsty metal".[1]

History

Horrorcore defines the style of rap music that focuses around "horror influenced" topics that include Satanism, black humor, suicide, murder and rape. The lyrics are inspired by horror movies over moody, hardcore beats. [2] As quoted by Mars to describe his horrorcore,"If you take Stephen King or Wes Craven and you throw them on a rap beat, that's who I am." [3] Insane Clown Posse's horrorcore has focused primarily on themes of fantasy and necrophilia, with the murder fantasies of "Beverly Kills 50187" and the necrophilic overtones of "Cemetery Girl". [4]

The stylistic origins of horrorcore can be traced to acid rap, a fusion of hip hop beats and death metal lyrics[5] created by Detroit rapper Esham, who helped contribute to its popularization as a solo rapper as well as a member of the group Natas,[6] and was an influence on the work of Insane Clown Posse,[7] who have performed in this genre along with other artists on the Psychopathic Records label.[8] Kool Keith claims to have "invented horrorcore".[9]

Gravediggaz are frequently cited as "ushering in" or popularizing the form with their debut album 6 Feet Deep, released in 1994.[10][11] The term was also appended to and popularized by Flatlinerz.[12] The genre quickly faded from public attention,[12] but has thrived in internet culture and sustains an annual "supershow" in Detroit called "Wickedstock".[13][14] According to the January 2004 BBC documentary Underground USA, the subgenre "has a massive following across the US" and "is spreading to Europe".[13] By contrast, Rolling Stone referred to it as a "short-lived trend" which "generated more shlock than shock".[10] NME agrees, labeling the movement as "rap music's brief fling" while at the same time noting that the genre is subject to revival in its review of Snoop Dogg's 2001 soundtrack, Bones.[15] Horrorcore has caused controversey, when reports were found saying the shooter of the Red Lake School shootings was a fan of Mars and Mike E. Clark's Project Deadman.[16]

Notable representatives

References

  1. ^ Browne, David. (24 Feb 1995) Fifth anniversary music Entertainment Weekly. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.g4tv.com/electricplayground/features/50154/Frankly_Speaking_Halloween_Horrorcore_Hip_Hop.
  3. ^ Darcy, Pohland. (May 19, 2005) The dark world Of Horrorcore music WCCO-TV. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  4. ^ http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/i_c_p/artist.jhtml#bio
  5. ^ McLeod, Rodd (March 2, 2000). "The Wicket World of Natas", Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-07-19. 
  6. ^ a b Hernandez, Pedro. "Review of N of Tha World". Rap Reviews. Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  7. ^ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin [August 2003]. "The Dark Carnival", in Nathan Fostey: ICP: Behind the Paint, 2nd Edition, Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records, pages 174—185. ISBN 09741846083. 
  8. ^ a b Cooper, Lana. (11 April 2007) Insane Clown Posse The Tempest Pop Matters. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  9. ^ Kane; QED (July 19, 2007). "Kool Keith Interview". Original UK Hip Hop. Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  10. ^ a b Fernando Jr., S.H. (September 18, 2007) The Pick, The Sickle & The Shovel Rolling Stone Accessed November 4, 2007.
  11. ^ Gravediggaz star loses cancer battle. NME (16 July 2001) Accessed November 4, 2007.
  12. ^ a b Passantino, Dom. (07 Jan 2005) Top ten Hip-Hop gimmicks of all time Stylus Magazine. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  13. ^ a b Underground USA BBC. Accessed November 4, 2007
  14. ^ Lodge, Mike. Interview with Project Deadman's own Prozak. Milenko500 record store. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  15. ^ Thorne, Rick. Various Bones NME Accessed November 4, 2007.
  16. ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499494/20050404/index.jhtml.
  17. ^ Macias, Chris. (December 5, 2006). The king of gore, Brotha Lynch reigns over local hip-hop movement The Sacramento Bee. Accessed November 29, 2007.
  18. ^ [1] Accessed November 4, 2007.
  19. ^ Righi, Len. (9 April 2007) King Gordy keeps up lighting up the dark Pop Matters. Accessed November 4, 2007.
  20. ^ Fangoria (4 June 2007) Meet The Monstors Down Under.
  21. ^ Meyer, Frank. (2004-10-28) Frankly Speaking: Halloween Horror-core Hip Hop g4tv. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  22. ^ Three 6 Mafia at Allmusic
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