alternative rap
what it is
Alternative Rap refers to Hip-Hop groups that refuse to conform to any of the traditional stereotypes of rap and blur genres, drawing equally from funk and pop/rock, as well as jazz, soul, reggae, and even folk. It may sample music from other sources such as rock and roll, have frequent use of guitars or other live instruments, or incorporate blues or jazz. Originating in the late-80s, in midst of the Golden age of hip hop, alternative hip hop was headed primarily by East Coast groups such as De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets in subsidiary conjunction by West Coast acts such as The Pharcyde, Digital Underground, and Jurassic 5 as well as certain Southern acts such as Goodie Mob and OutKast.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make alternative rap a playlist
turn these 35 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is alternative rap?
Alternative Rap refers to Hip-Hop groups that refuse to conform to any of the traditional stereotypes of rap and blur genres, drawing equally from funk and pop/rock, as well as jazz, soul, reggae, and even folk. It may sample music from other sources such as rock and roll, have frequent use of guitars or other live instruments, or incorporate blues or jazz. Originating in the late-80s, in midst of the Golden age of hip hop, alternative hip hop was headed primarily by East Coast groups such as De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets in subsidiary conjunction by West Coast acts such as The Pharcyde, Digital Underground, and Jurassic 5 as well as certain Southern acts such as Goodie Mob and OutKast.
What are good alternative rap albums to start with?
Try PTSD by Rod Wave, DOPAMINE by Lil Tecca, Deltron 3030 by Deltron 3030, and Attempted Lover by Sueco.
Who are some women making alternative rap?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/alternative-rap/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making alternative rap, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21