Rap music has changed a lot over the years.
Old-school rap was all about real talk from the streets: stories of struggle, survival, and the realities of life. By contrast, today’s rap music is more about the vibe and flexing success, usually leaving that deeper meaning behind. Especially now, drill music is blowing up, bringing aggressive beats and lyrics. Even though rap still has some of that real talk, it’s definitely evolved in a big way, and not necessarily for the better.
Old school rap started in the 1980s, with artists like Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., and The Sugarhill Gang. This era was known for simple, fun beats, but the lyrics still addressed social issues.
As rap evolved, artists like 2Pac, Ice Cube, and Mobb Deep took it further, talking about real life struggles, like violence, poverty, and racial inequality. They weren’t just spitting bars for fun; they used their words to say something real, something people could connect with. These early rappers carved the way for future generations, creating a genre built on storytelling and powerful messages.
By the 2010’s, new-school rappers, like Drake, Kendrick Lamar and 21 Savage, brought their own style. These guys still rap, but they mix it with melodies and focus on their personal lives.
Kendrick Lamar, specifically, is one of the few artists who stills talks about bigger issues, but he also dives into his own thoughts and experiences. He recently performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, and many people started making theories about the powerful messages he was trying to convey. Some believe that he was calling out the government and highlighting the social and political issues that America is facing right now.
Other artists, like Drake, are known for their emotional, catchy tracks, while 21 Savage keeps it real about street life, but in a more laid back, chill way. While they both still tell stories, their music is not as raw and real as it used to be.
Then there’s the rise of drill music. It started all in Chicago about ten years ago, with artists like Chief Keef, and it then spread like wildfire. Drill has faster beats, with more violent lyrics that reflect life in a more aggressive way.
Drill isn’t about telling deep stories, like old school rap does. It’s more about the vibe. It’s aggressive, loud and in-your-face, but it’s not focused on giving you a message or making you think too much. It’s all about that adrenaline you get.
When you compare old-school rap to today’s music, you can see the clear differences. Old-school rap was all about the story, real struggles, life lessons, and the truth. Today, it’s more about the vibe, the beat, and flexing success.
Sure, artists like Kendrick Lamar still keep it real with us, but drill rappers, and other newer artists, focus more on flow and energy, rather than on telling a story. The deep stuff isn’t as easy to find in today’s rap, and it’s more about creating a mood or a feeling, rather than saying something that connects with people’s struggles.
Rap has definitely changed, and while new styles like drill bring something fresh, it’s clear that the deep, raw storytelling from old school rap isn’t as strong as it used to be. It’s still fun to listen to, but it doesn’t always hit the same anymore.
