Rap rock is a hybrid of rap and rock music. Artists usually use
the traditional instruments of rock such as guitars, bass guitars, and
drums. However, vocalists often sing as well as MCing. Electronic sampling
equipment, scratch pads and a DJ to use them are also usually present.
The first groundbreaking rap rock songs are considered to be Aerosmith's
and Run-DMC's Walk This Way and Anthrax's and Public Enemy's Bring the
Noise.
Rap rock is also commonly referred to as nu metal or rapcore: however,
rap rock is a broad definition of the hybrid genre, while the former are
more specific. Nu metal is usually harder music with some electronic
assistance, but mostly standard heavy metal: bands such as Slipknot, KoЯn,
Godsmack and Papa Roach fall into this category. Rapcore is closer to a
hybrid of hardcore punk (rather than metal) and rap: House of Pain, Limp
Bizkit, Linkin Park, Rage Against the Machine and some of the works of
Kottonmouth Kings and KoЯn are good examples of this faster, somewhat
softer genre.
Rap rock reached its peak of popularity and radio play in the late 1990s
and early 2000s.
