Underground Hip Hop - Style

Style

Underground hip-hop encompasses several different styles of music, though it is often politically themed and socially conscious. Numerous acts in the book How to Rap are described as being both underground and politically or socially aware, these include – Little Brother, Brother Ali, Mr. Lif, Murs, Immortal Technique, Binary Star, People Under the Stairs, Lifesavas, Zion I.

Underground artists often have high levels of critical acclaim – acts who have been specifically noted as being both underground and having numerous critically acclaimed albums include Chris Black, Chris Webby, Sikai, Eyedea & Abilties, Jurassic 5, Aesop Rock, Ugly Duckling, Little Brother, Brother Ali, El Da Sensei, Dilated Peoples, Non Phixion, Freestyle Fellowship, Binary Star, Planet Asia, People Under the Stairs, Cannibal Ox and Zion I.

Additionally, many underground artists are said to have "intelligent", "intricate", or "complex" lyrics, these include Akir, Ugly Duckling, Brother Ali, Cage, Immortal Technique, El Da Sensei, Blackalicious, NCKF99, Mr. Lif, Andre Nickatina, Murs, Binary Star, Planet Asia, Lifesavas, Sage Francis, Kooley High, Sniped, Tah Phrum Duh Bush, Hustla Dreamz, Zion I, The Even Keel,Skidzz, Y Not Flow, Omega Jackson, All Names Were Taken, Timeless Truth, Yasiin Bey, MF Doom, Talib Kweli and Yak Ballz.

Some underground artists produce music that celebrates the fundamental elements or pillars of hip hop culture, such as People Under the Stairs, Apathy, and Blacastan whose music "recalls hip-hop's golden age".