Is hip hop merging into plain rap?

When I was in high school (mid 90's) there was a clear distinction between hip hop, and other genres of rap music. Hip hop stood alone as a category, and was a lot different than other kinds of rap in everyones eyes.





As I get older, it seems that almost all rap that comes out is considered hip hop music. I look at the questions and answers on this site, and rap and hip hop might as well be one in the same. I think to myself no no no, this is all wrong! I feel like it's unfair that a lot of the trash that's coming out now is tainting hip hop's name. What happened to the clear distinction?

Is hip hop merging into plain rap?
I agree totally....





as the years go by and more kids grow up on "hip-hop" they really have no idea about hip-hop at all....





and then it gives people like Jason Whitlock a chance to bash it at every corner....





it is unfair but it is simply bc the labels decide what title the music is given....and since most people worldwide consider rap and hiphop the same now....it gets harder to separate the two....





i feel ur pain Lady Biscuits.....Does this mean you have a Buttery-flavored tiara? You better not lose that flavor.....ummmm.......





alright i was just checkin....
Reply:Your right ppl are getting it twisted and believe they are the same thing...Rap is hip hop music...Outsiders dont understand the difference. If we allow this them that I believe will destroy the culture because they dont recognize the four elements together make hip hop. word up
Reply:i know how you feel.





bring the 90's back!!..i dont even listen to alot of hiphop/rap now as i use to back in 90's...





i use to listen to it everyday around 95-99. 2000 - 2004 wasnt bad either..





hiphop doesnt get me hyped like it use too...i use to go to store to buy a new cd. but not anymore..





this year how many good hiphop albums?..been mostly rnb and pop.





all good things come to an end..(very true) you could also say the same for 90's rock.





and guess its different generations and new era.
Reply:um...I don't think so, but maybe that's cuz I'm in the underground so much i do'nt really notice what's happening in the mainstream sometimes....anyway, from my perspective hip hop is fine, and I really do'nt have a problem with today's hip hop..but that's me..
Reply:well, it doesnt really matter what "people" think. I know the difference and that's that.
Reply:You tell 'em Lady Biscuit! I raised you right girl!
Reply:I do not know the answer to this. But Rap music is so lame! Beat is always the same, and the lyrics are so bad(if you can understand them?) I call rap music CRAP MUSIC!
Reply:IMO I think hip hop exists but it has gone underground. That stuff that people say is hip hop....they don't know what hip hop really is. Most of the people buying stuff that they think is hip hop aren't really old enough to know about that.





Real hip hop never talked about cars, women, bling, none of that, because it wasn't about image. And when did hip hop ever consist of booty dancing? That says a lot of what the industry puts out. They can call it whatever they want. We know what hip hop really is. True hip hop fans are not buying that other stuff.





I don't know why it turned out this way. I really wish i could understand it myself.