Rap music is a genre characterized by rhythmic speech and lyrical flow, often delivered over electronic beats, samples, and synthesized instrumentation. Emerging in 1970s New York, rap evolved from African American oral traditions, funk, and soul, with DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash pioneering its early sound. By the 1990s, rap had become a mainstream phenomenon, with sub-genres like gangsta rap, conscious rap, and trap emerging. Today, rap dominates popular music, with artists pushing the genre's boundaries through experimentation with melodic flows, introspective lyrics, and fusion with other styles like R&B, rock, and electronic music. Rap's cultural significance lies in its ability to provide a platform for marginalized voices, storytelling, and social commentary, with its impact extending beyond music to influence fashion, film, and social justice movements.

Shapeshifter

MTHEPOET

Single - Released January 6, 2026