Hip-Hop vs Pop (With Table)

Hip-Hop and Pop not only sound different but have different sub-culture and origins. Let’s find out more about hip-hop vs pop.

Music is an integral part of any society as it defines the culture of any given society. And the culture of a society indicates a lot about any society. Music not only influences other artistic movements within society, but it also influences people’s thoughts and inspires them. So what is so special about music?

Music has a way of inciting our emotions, connecting with our souls. This is why music is such a powerful form of art. It can bring people together. Music is a powerful mode of self-expression, the lyrics, the notes, the music of the instrument, enable the artist to express their truest deepest feelings with clarity, in a way that not only reaches the audiences and strikes a chord in them but also enables the artist to connect with their own feelings.

Music in a way has become a part of our identity. The kind of music we like speaks a lot about us. We connect with people with similar music tastes. Music connects us to our history, our culture. And whenever any new genre of music is created is inspired by the already existing culture and history of a place.

Both hip-hop and pop are different genres of music. The main difference between hip-hop and pop is that hip hop is an artistic and cultural movement. “pop” stands for popular, pop music denotes the music popular in the contemporary period.

Comparison Table: Hip-Hop vs Pop

Criteria	Hip-Hop	Pop
Artistic movement	Hip-hop is a subculture, an artistic movement in its own rights.	Pop music is not really related to a particular culture or artistic movement.
Origin	In the 1970s, in the Bronx area of NYC.	Gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.
Artists	Some popular Hip hop artists with world fame are Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Mos Def, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Common, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac Shakur.	Some pop artists of the contemporary period would be Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Beyonce.
Tone	Hip hop songs are more fast-paced, the rapping in the songs gives it a whole different tone, different energy.	Pop music can be anywhere in between fast-paced to slow-paced. One can distinguish pop songs from that of hip hop easily by their tone.
Theme	Hip hop music deals a lot with themes of poverty, politics, drugs, wealth.	Pop songs are usually more lively, more easy-going with themes of love and life and dreams.

About Hip-Hop

Hip hop developed in the United States in the 1970s. This artistic movement started in the Bronx area of New York City. It was initiated by African-Americans living in the area. This is very beat-oriented, rhythmic music, usually accompanied by rapping.

Hip Hop in itself is a subculture of the African Americans and it is characterized by four identifying elements- rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, and graffiti writing.

The music hip-hop as a music genre is heavy in the use of instruments like drums, synthesizers, bass, and turntables in a 4/4 timing scheme and is normally joined by rapping or specialists talking in rhymes. Rappers, normally compose their raps with a specific beat or rhythm in mind.

The lyrics in hip-hop hop music are generally identified with a specific issue that is as of now present in the general public or the artist’s angle on political or social issues.  Hip-hop culture extends to dance as well and in dance, it incorporates styles like free-form, breaks moving locking, and popping.

About Pop

Pop music is not a genre in itself. It is a general term for a wide range of, well, popular music. A pop song is any song that is written with the public and commercial success in mind. It is an umbrella term that shelters a number of music genres like jazz, punk, rock, classical, alternative, and many more.

Pop songs usually refer to those songs that are popular with and relatable to the younger generation. The term pop music was used for the first time in 1926 with the intention of meaning  “music with a popular appeal”.

Popular songs generally tend to be uncomplicated, catchy, with lots of fun beats to make them catchy. The lyrics are mostly light and the songs are usually about love and love so anybody can relate to them.

The music in these songs ranges from fast to slow catering to the need of the song. Pop songs are produced with instruments like bass guitar, electric guitar, violin, keyboard, drums. Pop songs are era-specific songs and therefore, each era has its own pop music.

Do you know? Citron vs Lemon

Difference Between Hip-Hop and Pop

1) Artistic movement

Hip hop is a subculture, an artistic movement in its own rights. Pop music is not really related to a particular culture or artistic movement.

2) Origin

Hip hop as a music genre began in the Bronx area of New York City in the 1970s. It was started by African-Americans and was inspired by their culture. This subculture has a huge Puerto Rican and Jamaican influence.

The term pop music to denote “ music with popular appeal” was used for the first time in 1926. This genre really developed during the 1950s when it was synonymous with rock and roll.

3) Artists

Some popular Hip hop artists with world fame are Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Mos Def, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Common, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac Shakur.

Some pop artists of the contemporary period would be Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Beyonce.

4) Tone

Hip hop songs are more fast-paced, the rapping in the songs gives it a whole different tone, different energy.

Pop music can be anywhere in between fast-paced to slow-paced. One can distinguish pop songs from that of hip hop easily by the tone.

5) Musical themes

Hip hop music deals a lot with themes of poverty, politics, drugs, wealth.

Pop songs are usually more lively, more easy-going with themes of love and life and dreams.

Do you know? Lithograph vs Print