What is boom bap?

Boom bap is a style of hip hop music that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, characterized by its hard-hitting drum beats, sampled musical elements, and gritty lyrical content. The term "boom bap" refers to the sound of the kick drum ("boom") and snare drum ("bap") that are typically featured prominently in the production of boom bap tracks.

Boom bap hip hop is often associated with artists and groups such as A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Gang Starr, who were pioneers of the genre and helped to define its sound.

One of the key characteristics of boom bap is its focus on traditional hip hop production techniques, with heavy use of drum breaks, vinyl samples, and looping of musical elements. This gives boom bap its trademark dusty, vintage sound that has become synonymous with the golden era of hip hop.

Boom bap has continued to influence hip hop music to this day, with many contemporary artists incorporating elements of the genre into their own music. Its timeless appeal, raw energy, and emphasis on lyricism have helped boom bap remain a beloved and respected subgenre within the hip hop community.