What Makes a Hip Hop Beat Sound 'Dope'?

Hip hop music and in particular hip hop beats, have unlike any other genre of music evolved over the years to incorporate dozens of different forms of music in the composing of beats, thus creating an environment where the methods of beat making are not limited to a particular field or instruments. It is difficult, these days, to categorize distinctively any particular form of rhythm or sound as exclusively hip hop.

What makes hip hop music so unique is its evolution over the years, which has seen it dramatically garner influence from 60s and 70s compositions of soulful beats to the 80s where DJs on turntables did wonders to a modern electrical form of beat making, which by all means, continues to elevate the texture and versatility of hip hop. What makes a hip hop beat sound dope are components ranging from an element of blues, which is borrowed from 80s soul music and is mostly meant to exhibit a particular kind of expressive feel to the listener to a more street level 'in your face' kind of rebellious nature.

In all cases, the beat attracts and addresses a particular kind of person, but the diversity it possesses ensures that no one is left out when the product is done. Beat makers incorporate various types of melodies and rhythm into the composition of the beat thus making it ever more indulging and dope. Hip hop beat producers are creating a very diverse cultural blend with their beats, ranging from African drumbeats to a more exotic Caribbean flavor and some even take it a step further and include some European element to it, which makes it ever more exciting.

Drumbeats are a popular type of beat making done by beat makers nowadays. They include turntable mixing and scratching, which basically create an opportunity to rap in the background. This is a common type of hip hop blend mostly done at clubs and block parties. Underground rappers use it to publicize their game while entertaining the party. The DJ is effected by the beats so much that he shows off some moves too.

Another kind of rap beats evolution also done in drum beats is song looping. This involves sampling a popular song and highlighting a section of it whereby the beats are repeated through the length of the song. It is usually done in remixes, where the most appealing or uniquely distinctive part of the beat is recreated and modified into a head banging track which can be played in clubs and parties alike.

The best part about looping a drum beat is that you don't really need consent from the artist, if done in a party or club. Some of the most popular hip hop artists today became famous because of cleverly incorporating drum beats in their tracks. Every hip hop artist knows the importance of creating a unique beat, but a smart artist will find different forms of music and conceptualize an idea where they can modify or include various elements of different cultures into their beat, using their creativity.

When it comes to hip hop and the best hip hop beats, the only thing that can limit the creation of good sound is lack of creativity. If you're good at composing and arranging beats then the possibilities are endless. The hip hop market today is less concerned about vocals and content. What matters is the ability of the beat to make an impact and to be imprinted in the listeners memory. If you can make a beat that sticks with the listener, then you definitely have a winner. The best beats are the ones that make people move and dance without even thinking about it.

Here is a good article about the Top Five Hip Hop Artists   http://freeblogspot.org/thehiphopbeat/

They have some pretty cool hip hop and rap beats over at Beats for Days http://www.beatsfordays.com/?ref=wb