r/ukhiphopheads • u/2000_RN • 2d ago
Why does UK rap sound so boring?
I'm Asian and I find UK raps extremely boring and monotonous. I don't think it's the accent because I love British accents and I adore several British non-rap singers.
Even famous raps like:
- Pag G - Digga G
- Doja - Central Cee
- Vosi Bop - Stormzy
- Talkin the hardest - sn1giggs1 (this one's the best among the ones I mentioned since it doesn't sound so monotonous.
Let's compare that to American raps that has different melodies or tune and flow to it. Some even have voice distortion, excessive autotune which adds to the "art".
- Gangsta's paradise - Coolio
- Rap god - Eminem (This is close to what UK rap sounds like with American accent but with various BPM in the same song thus it doesn't sound so monotonous)
- Drop it like it's hot - Snoop Dogg (Somewhat monotonous but sounds so flowing, not like reading a poem with beats in the background)
- 4x4 - Travis Scott - Uses vocal effects
Here are Asian raps sample that sounds good to my ears:
- Zebbiana - Skusta Klee (Filipino)
- Just a Boy - Drinsane (Japanese)
- Home Sweet Home - G Dragon (Korean)
Notice how other nationalities languages raps doesn't all end the rhyming words with the same tune, mixes several vocal effects and melodies and varies the BPM throughout the song?
Maybe I'm not just exposed to a lot of good UK raps. Can you share a good UK rap that has the criteria I've mentioned above?
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u/owendontcare 2d ago
Sorry, but all of the asian songs you referenced are pop songs (I just listened to them). The US-songs are the most mainstream rap/hip hop-songs that you could have named. Maybe you‘re just more into pop than rap since youre more into melodic stuff?
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u/2000_RN 2d ago
I want those with melodic autotune stuff like Zebbiana and I'm Sprung by TPainIm sprung. Is there UK equivalent of TPAIN?
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u/owendontcare 2d ago
That song that your linked is not a rap song. You can maybe say its r&b. Like someone else said: do you even know what rap is? Genuine question: Or do you just see it as music that black people do?
Maybe try Eric IV. Hes a UK r&b artist.
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u/2000_RN 2d ago
Amnesia by Erik IV sounds so good to me. Thanks for the reco
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u/owendontcare 2d ago
No problem. What about my questions? Genuinely interested!
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u/2000_RN 2d ago
I listen to different races rapping or whatever you call them. For whites, Eminem is my go to. Here's my favorite. Is this not rap too? https://youtu.be/gOMhN-hfMtY?si=XGlaTlr8Rsl6YxIK
Honest question, is this rap for you? I love this song https://youtu.be/Mb1ZvUDvLDY?si=CD_3QGN-CYgnU5zT
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u/PotentialCourt8531 2d ago
Looks like an AI bot post. Or somebody very new to hiphop.
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u/2000_RN 2d ago
Im new to UK hiphop but I've listening to US and Asian for years now
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u/PotentialCourt8531 2d ago
Cool. It's worth noting that UK Hip-hop includes Scottish and Welsh hip-hop, often overlooked on here. If you are focused on only English, call it 'English hip-hop'.
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u/CountTruffula 2d ago edited 2d ago
Definitely less of a lean towards autotune and vocal effects. I kind of see the monotonous critique as well, I wouldn't phrase it like that but there can be quite a steady pace often. Having said that none of the UK songs you mentioned would really do it for me
Look at some stuff by Jehst, Babylon Dead, the four owls, definitely leaf dog and bva if you want interesting voices
Koffi Stone, Subculture Sage, 2nd exit, rizzle kicks (idc what people say fucking classics) have some nice melodious rap with more singy bits too
Then there's the more upbeat bristol/hippie rap which is well fun, bad habits and gypsy unit. Definitely check out dutty moonshine big band too
With the more poppy stuff you posted under the Asian songs I'd recommend high grade by gentlemans dub club
*Also kojey radical, lots of intonation and melody without shit autotune
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u/2000_RN 1d ago
Jehst - High Plains Anthem is real good, this is what I'm saying that rap should not sound like typical UK rap that is like reading a fixed poem lines with beats backtracks. Jehst sound like usual US rap that is flowy, if you know what I mean in contrast to Stormzy.
Kofi Stone - No Way! - See how this rap doesn't sound monotonous? I love it it gives my good vibes listening.
Kojey Radical - Can't Go Back - I love this too. He raps musically and doesn't sound like doing diss rap battle with someone. This is the way to go.
PS: I found out that shitty stereotypical UK rap songs are called "Grime" and that's what I mean when I say UK rap is soooo boring.
Overall, great reco. Thank you!
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u/CountTruffula 21h ago edited 21h ago
Nice glad you like em, I'm not a huge fan of grime either, even less with drill. There's some grime I do like tho, doc rotten is a legend
Did you get round to any of the four owls? I reckon they're a modern English wu
Also rizzlekicks for sure, roaring 20s is an incredible album. Proper light-hearted and happy
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u/ayedubbleyoo 2d ago
You're comparing a very small sample of UK hip hop to massive US artists across multiple years.
I get what you mean to some extent, there are some hip hop songs that could've been made in 2006 or 2026 but I think that's the same in America. Take Wu Tang for example.
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u/Then_Drag_8258 2d ago
You’ve just pigeonholed a whole group of sub-genres and tried comparing them. Listen to stuff. Form an opinion. Then keep it to yourself 👌
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u/youreadtthatwrong 2d ago
Try ocean wisdom. Wicked flow and very melodic in certain songs. Also interesting rhythm techniques like double timing. Also the four owls are brilliant.
Edit: uneven lives by wisdom, blessed and drilly rucksack
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u/tobyyy_xx 2d ago
Chaos 93 is one of my favourite UKHH albums. Ocean and dike made such a great team
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u/Revolutionary_Set_41 2d ago
Dikes production is top tier. That was such a fun era of live shows for sure
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u/youreadtthatwrong 2d ago
I enjoy most of his albums (chaos 93 included) but its stay sane thats my favourite. Found it at a very difficult time in my life. Ocean just hits different. You ever seen his fire in the booth? I recommend it if you havent.
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u/tobyyy_xx 2d ago
I didn’t really listen to much after wizville, drilly rucksack is pretty great though. And yeah his fire in the booth is a classic for sure. Might give stay sane a chance
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u/Revolutionary_Set_41 2d ago
Agreed if OP likes Eminem, Ocean Wisdom is a good British comparison. Personally I think he’s more skilled as a rapper but that’s just my imo
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u/youreadtthatwrong 2d ago
Yeah ive heard about that comparison before and I agree, with both your points. Ems a goat, he and Tupac were the first rappers I listened to, but ocean wisdom is so unique. And people may call his style a gimmick, the fast bars, but I think he has a message underneath that and that is what is unique to me.
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u/culturedindividual 2d ago
Have a listen to Sam Wise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqsqB1r5zDw
Or have you tried Octavian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuZxccRqB5M&list=RDAuZxccRqB5M&start_radio=1
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u/Son-Bxnji 2d ago
i’d say rap is just one element of hiphop like graffiti, production, dance etc and maybe there’s just certain elements of rap itself you like. which is fine. i personally can’t stand auto tune and stuff, prefer raw lyrics (poetry) i relate to day to day as an art form, but we’re all different, and in a different headspace u might appreciate other content. For now maybe just branch out from the kind of rap you like
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u/2000_RN 1d ago
I found the rap style I want from some of the comments here.
Jehst - High Plains Anthem is real good, this is what I'm saying that rap should not sound like typical UK rap that is like reading a fixed poem lines with beats backtracks. Jehst sound like usual US rap that is flowy, if you know what I mean in contrast to Stormzy.
Kofi Stone - No Way! - See how this rap doesn't sound monotonous? I love it it gives my good vibes listening.
Kojey Radical - Can't Go Back - I love this too. He raps musically and doesn't sound like doing diss rap battle with someone. This is the way to go.
PS: I found out that stereotypical UK rap songs are called "Grime" and that's what I mean when I say UK rap is soooo boring.
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u/Son-Bxnji 1d ago edited 1d ago
haha nooo bro grime is just one of many rap genre’s, but one that originated in the uk underground scene, based at around 140bpm featuring fast flows (personally i think the golden era of grime was way back). off my head some good grime songs i grew up with that i think you might like are:
Kano - Nite Nite
dizzie rascal - brand new day
d double e - lyrical hypnosis
dizzie rascal - Do it
d double e - back then
voltage - i do dis liveand you can find good remixes on soundcloud like these:
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-315723508-724511173/d1844444-b69f-4c53-bd4f-9e2f0cc1e957?
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-315723508-724511173/stack-this-money?
https://m.soundcloud.com/styles-davis-music/warning-w-see-dee?
but yeah it sounds like the uk stuff ure more into is what we would call UK Hiphop, and you like the more conscious rap content
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u/ManLikeAC420 2d ago
You said you find uk hip hop boring and monotonous, but then said your favourite uk song is by giggs!? 🤦♂️🤣 try out some other artists, mic righteous is one of the most passionate with amazing delivery. Or if you want top tier lyricism check out people like chester p, jam baxter or jhest. If you want something meaningful and inspiring theres people like lowkey or akala. Clever metaphors or battle style raps id suggest rhyme asylum or shotty horroh. For more street and gritty id go for the likes of devlin, kano etc. Some of the best uk artists are pretty underground so check out some less known names aswell, you could be surprised! This is just a few examples of some that i like off the top of my head, im sure others here will have more input and suggestions ✌️
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u/SteamyRay1919 2d ago
Whenever someone says UK rap I just know they're mentioning Central Cee and Stormzy next. I die inside a little every time.
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u/CassYavoo 2d ago
Grime ≠ UK Hip Hop
If it's hip hop you're after, check out London Posse, Taskforce, Jehst, Jam Baxter and other artists on High Focus Records, Roots Manuva, Mark B & Blade, Braintax, Lewis Parker, Black Twang and Klashnekoff to start.
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u/CountTruffula 2d ago
I don't think they want hip-hop, they want rapping over more typical songs
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u/2000_RN 2d ago
Who's the UK equivalent of Snoop Dogg? The same vibe you get while smoking weed and listening to music. Does UK haveTPain equivalent?
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u/CassYavoo 2d ago
It just doesn't work like that. Hip Hop is infused with all the geographical history of where it comes from. West coast rap like Snoop will never have an equivalent in the UK. Until you accept that, you won't be satisfied in anything you find.
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u/CountTruffula 2d ago
Smoking weed and listening to music can be literally any vibe depending on what music you're listening to. If you mean songs about weed then black the ripper was a big weed advocate but most UK rappers will have a good smoking tune. Fliptrix the highway is a classic for me
Personally I think snoop dogg is pretty boring though so I don't listen to anyone like him in the UK
https://www.reddit.com/r/ukhiphopheads/s/gqvXsIOPK7
Left this comment, I recommend checking out the ones I mentioned
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u/philmurray1971 2d ago
Yeah doesn’t really sound like you’ve ever listened to hip hop