I feel like artists are just randomly being placed in genres/sub-genres these days. "Thrift Shop" is "too mainstream" to be considered "alternative hip hop," but the genre argument becomes redundant.
Alternative music is still alternative regardless of whether or not it becomes mainstream.
Also:
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According to critic Matt Preira, writing in the Miami New Times, hipster-hop constitutes a "discernable transition in rap music," one which incorporates elements of hipster culture. Preira claims that it is "a brewing microgenre poised to take the mainstream by storm". Chicago Reader critic Miles Raymer says that hipster rappers "screw around with old school signifiers," but that hipster rap "embodies the same sort of utopian, big-tent ideal that old-school hip-hop did." According to Raymer, it works the "leading edge of the interplay between rap music and dance music," while being defined by hipsteresque fashions and attitudes.
In summary, hipster rap is characterized by a blurring of the lines between "'pure' rap, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and rock". Critics have often associated it with Seattle, Washington groups such as Mad Rad, although the latter denies that their music falls into the genre.
Popular hipster hop artists (or artists associated with the style) include Das Racist, Lil B, Odd Future, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kid Sister, Kreayshawn, XV, Chiddy Bang, Azealia Banks, Air Dubai. Beck's song Clock, from Stray Blues, has been called "deadpan hipster-hop" by Allmusic.
Alternative music is still alternative regardless of whether or not it becomes mainstream.
Also:
I think this is pretty legitimate.
You posted a link to "Hipster Hop," but I'm talking about "alternative Hip Hop." There's not much information on that "hipster hop" page, and I've never heard of it. It doesn't seem that "legitimate" to me. It just some random term/phrase people like to lump today's rappers who aren't the norm in, but "alternative hip hop" is actually a sub-genre and musical movement, with far more detail on its Wikipedia page. I just don't see how "Thrift Shop" sounds anything like what's gone on in the alternative hip hop movement. Sorry, just my opinion.
You posted a link to "Hipster Hop," but I'm talking about "alternative Hip Hop." There's not much information on that "hipster hop" page, and I've never heard of it. It doesn't seem that "legitimate" to me. It just some random term/phrase people like to lump today's rappers who aren't the norm in, but "alternative hip hop" is actually a sub-genre and musical movement, with far more detail on its Wikipedia page. I just don't see how "Thrift Shop" sounds anything like what's gone on in the alternative hip hop movement. Sorry, just my opinion.
It kind of mentions its beginnings in the Revival section on Alternative Hip Hop's page, plus there is a link to Hipster Hop under "subgenres" at the top.
No need to apologize if that's your opinion. My opinion is that hipster hop is a new wave of alternative hip hop, just like R&B is having its own new wave of alternative/neo-soul acts. Not to mention the amount of alternative acts crossing over to pop radio.
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Originally posted by ClashAndBurn
I think the bit about Seattle is important to note, since he's actually from there and frequently cites his hometown as inspiration for his music.
Besides that, I'd also look at Thrift Shop's instrumental and lyrical content. It's not typical of modern hip-hop tropes at all.
Exactly. TS is not a common hip hop song at all. And the Seattle part also furthers the genre's claim of validity.
You posted a link to "Hipster Hop," but I'm talking about "alternative Hip Hop." There's not much information on that "hipster hop" page, and I've never heard of it. It doesn't seem that "legitimate" to me. It just some random term/phrase people like to lump today's rappers who aren't the norm in, but "alternative hip hop" is actually a sub-genre and musical movements, with far more detail on its Wikipedia page. I just don't see how "Thrift Shop" sounds anything like that's gone on in the alternative hip hop movement. Sorry, just my opinion.
Well, does it really have to have a typified sound? I feel that it does effectively blur genre lines to a certain degree. Not quite like Chiddy Bang or Childish Gambino, but I just feel like the point is for it to break hip-hop stereotypes. To me, it just doesn't sound like anything you'd hear from Rick Ross or Wiz Khalifa. So where would you place it? Just as a pop song?
Well, does it really have to have a typified sound? I feel that it does effectively blur genre lines to a certain degree. Not quite like Chiddy Bang or Childish Gambino, but I just feel like the point is for it to break hip-hop stereotypes. To me, it just doesn't sound like anything you'd hear from Rick Ross or Wiz Khalifa. So where would you place it? Just as a pop song?
It's a very niche-y sub-genre, and easy to spot.
Here are some Alternative Hip Hop classics:
It's not very easy to crossover with in comparison to, say a 50 Cent or Jay-Z song. Tbh, "Thrift Shop" sounds like something that could have been made by T.I. and Swizz Beatz.
