Three Most Influential Rappers of The 2000’s

By Lucas Foley

 

Rap saw many changes in the 2000’s that made it the genre it is today. This is thanks to certain boundary pushing artists like Kanye West, Eminem and T.I.

Kanye West is not only one of the most popular and consistent artists of the millennium, he is also one of the most influential artists as well. Kanye brought along many new production techniques and has managed to redefine his sound multiple times in his career. Kanye found new ways to use vocals as instruments with his heavily autotuned vocals and use of choirs in his songs. Above all else, Kanye showed artists that you can use very unique beats and incorporate different genres into rap and still be successful.

Senior Brendan Reid said, “Kanye has always managed to put out great music and push boundaries.”

Eminem is widely regarded as a lyrical genius. At the time he began his career, the genre of rap was very focused on braggadocious tales of wealth and riches. Eminem brought a nice change of pace with his clever lyrics and rhymes, as well as his life stories and struggles. He also shocked people with his controversial lyrics.

With Eminem’s mainstream success, he enabled other artists like him to thrive and now some of the most popular artists like Kendrick Lamar and J Cole are able to tell important messages and stories.

Eminem has had such an impact on music many people were first exposed  to rap through him. “Eminem was the first rapper I ever listened to and is still one of my favorites,” said senior Derek Shanks.

Today one of rap’s most popular genres is trap, but fifteen years ago this genre did not exist.Trap is a subgenre of rap that is known for its fast high hats, heavy drums and its gritty lyrics that often have to do with drug culture.

T.I claims to be the creator of trap, and while there is no way to know who invented the genre, it was brought into the mainstream by T.I.

With his 2004 album “Trap Muzik,” he gave the genre its name and mainstream attention. The trap genre has become one of the most popular subgenres of rap today.

“So many rappers today are part of, or influenced by the trap genre,” said senior Max Fontes. With artists like Migos and Gucci Mane topping the charts with their singles and albums, trap doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.