Understanding the Phenomenon of Drill Rap

The phenomenon of ‘drill rap’ is slowly growing in popularity despite its controversial content. Rap as a genre has its roots in the 1970s when African-Americans took to the streets to express themselves, singing, rapping and recording their own songs. It was the advent of DJs and MCs (masters of ceremonies) followed by rap music videos in the late ’80s that paved the way for rap to become established as a genre.

Drill rap is a sub-genre of rap that emerged in the early 2000s and is known for its aggressive and dark lyrical content. It originated in the South Side of Chicago and was heavily influenced by early trap music. The themes of drill rap include crime, gang life, street violence, poverty and social struggles. This type of rap is typically accompanied by hard-hitting, distorted beats and is often heavily based around bass and 808 drum patterns.

The Controversy Surrounding Drill Rap

Due to its violent imagery and content, drill rap has been highly criticized and even blamed for instigating violence. London 12, a group of drill rappers, were arrested in 2013 after a series of underground music videos containing offensive lyrics and threats of violence were tracked. In 2021, Metropolitan Police launched Operation Swamp 81 in response to a string of violent crimes attributed to drill rap culture.

Despite its reputation, many critics argue that drill rap is as much a reflection of the conditions of inner-city life and the struggles of the working-class as any other genre. Ultimately, music is a form of expression, and what people choose to create with it should be respected – no matter how uncomfortable it might make some people.

The Influence of Drill Rap

Drill rap has become increasingly influential in the US and the UK. It has been heavily influenced by UK grime, a genre of music characterized by low budget electro or synth-based instrumentals and MCing often done in a Jamaican Patois accent. Drill rap has also helped to popularize dance styles such as the Rah-Cycle, Screw Face and Skank.

Drill rap has increasingly become part of the mainstream music scene, with established artists such as Drake, Kanye West and Lil Wayne collaborating with drill rappers. The genre has spread to countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, France and Holland, and is sure to continue to grow and evolve as time goes on.