Chopper (rap)

Chopper is a hip hop music style that originated in the Midwestern United States and features fast-paced rhyming or rapping.[1][2] Those that rap in the style are known as choppers, and rapping in the style is sometimes referred to as chopping. The style is one of the major forms of Midwest hip hop, though by the early 1990s it had spread to other parts of the United States including California and New York City, and it has spread across the world since.

Chopper (rap)
Stylistic originsHip hop
Cultural originsMid-1990s, Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City
Typical instrumentsVocals
Regional scenes
Midwest hip hop
Other topics

Chopper style places an emphasis on speed of pronunciation, and as such is commonly attributed to some of the fastest professional rappers, such as Mac Lethal, Twista, Big L, Tech N9ne, Twisted Insane, Busta Rhymes, Rebel XD, Krizz Kaliko and Jaz-O.[3] Vocalist Oli Peters of the tech-death band Archspire is also heavily influenced by this style.

Etymology

The word "chopper" was first used in street and hip hop slang to refer to the AK-47 rifle. The word has also been used as an informal word for helicopter. The linkage to AK-47 and helicopter and their rapid response times with respect to their functions may have an analogous relation to fast-paced rap. One of the first rappers who popularized this style of rap, Twista, in a song with Tech N9ne entitled "Worldwide Choppers" implied this in his lyrics, "I'm finna be usin' it as energy, watch how radiant I'ma be / Like a helicopter when the words fly"[4] was used to loosely describe the style of fast-paced rap, but the usage of the term was made more widespread when rap artist Tech N9ne released a series of posse cuts with other chopper-style rap artists from around the world in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015 including "Midwest Choppers" and "Midwest Choppers 2", "Worldwide Choppers" and "Speedom (Worldwide Choppers 2)".[5] The trend of naming songs in this fashion spread, with examples such as DCVDNS & Tamas's track "German Choppers"[6] and the Undaground Choppers series produced by DJ Lil Sprite, which currently includes ten installments.[7]

The word "chopper" can simply be used for any rapper that uses a fast-paced style in his or her lyrics.[8] The word is also used as a verb, as in "chopping" or "to chop", in describing the action of rapping at high speeds.[4]

Characteristics

Chopper rap is typically characterised by the inclusion of twice or three times as many syllables to each bar and line as would be found in most other forms of rap. Sophisticated rhyme schemes are also an important element of the style. The inclusion of two or three times as many syllables in the bars causes the lyrics to be described as being in "double-time" or "triple-time".[9] The beat tempo of chopper songs, particularly from the Midwest, tends to range from 90 BPM to 180 BPM, a much higher range than most other rap genres.[1] Maintaining the quality of lyrics in terms of rhyming and substance while increasing speed of delivery is one of the key aspects of the style.[3][10]

The term "chopper" does not imply any thematic characteristics, and songs in the style touch on a wide range of subjects. One subgenre chopper rappers often cross into is horrorcore, seen in Tech N9ne's "Am I a Psycho?" featuring Hopsin and B.o.B[11] or the rapper Twisted Insane's albums.[12] Midwest rapper Prozak explained that the style often revolves around "dark beats and lyrics" in the DVD The Hitchcock of HipHop.[1]

History

1980s – Origins of fast rapping

Although the subgenre of chopper-style hip hop did not achieve broad mainstream appeal until the early–mid 1990s through artists such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Twista, the style has been around for decades. The first group to rap at high speeds on record were the Treacherous Three with the release of "New Rap Language" in 1980.[9][13] Throughout the lyrics of the song, member Kool Moe Dee is continually referred to as the originator of the fast style:

For MC's who bite

The fast-talking rhymes
They're gonna feast
So get ready to eat
Moe Dee's the originator
So you might as well starve
Cause you can't catch this fast beat

(Hit it, Moe)

— Special K, "The New Rap Language"[14]

Kool Moe Dee went on a year later to use one of the verses in this song to demolish Busy Bee in the famous New York rap battle in 1981.[15]

The style of rapping fast was also popular with Jamaican rappers in the early 1980s with releases by Daddy Freddy ("Joker Lover"),[16] Shinehead ("Rough and Rugged") and Peter King ("Me Neat, Me Sweet").[17]

"Supersonic" by J. J. Fad was a popular song released in 1987 that featured fast double time rapping at the end that was so innovative that it would later be referenced in the fast-style Eminem song "Rap God" released in 2013.[18]

In the 1990s, the style spread to the West Coast, with artists at "The Good Life" such as Ellay Khule, Freestyle Fellowship, CVE, Riddlore, Chubb Rock, Mikah 9 and many other Project Blowed affiliates adopting the style.[19][20]

Although the style of rapping at high speeds had existed in both the East Coast and West Coast scenes as well as abroad, it was not until the 1990s that the style began to emerge as a distinct and popular form of hip-hop. The Dayton Family and Twista were active in the Midwest in the early 1990s[21][22] and developed the use of chopper rapping as their main style. This ushered in a wave of chopper acts from the Midwest that began to receive attention, such as Twista in Chicago and the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony from Cleveland.[3] Bone Thugs-n-Harmony signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1993[23] and their 1994 EP Creepin on ah Come Up reached #12 on the Billboard 200 charts. Their next albums E. 1999 Eternal (1995) and The Art of War (1997) both reached #1 on the Billboard 200 chart[24] and also produced the 1996 single "Tha Crossroads" which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.[25] This success helped to popularize the chopper style across the United States and beyond.[2] During this period, many other rappers in the Midwest that would go on to become highly successful began their rapping careers as underground artists releasing songs in the chopper style, such as Eminem[9] and Tech N9ne.[26]

At the same time Twista and The Dayton Family were popularising the style in the Midwest, New York emcee Jaz-O (also known at the time as The Jaz) was using the fast-paced chopper rap style in his music,[3] releasing his debut album Word to the Jaz in 1989 and To Your Soul in 1990.[27] Jaz-O was the mentor of the then-unknown Jay-Z, and these albums included the first songs Jay-Z was ever on, "Hawaiian Sophie" and "The Originators". In this way Jay-Z began his career in the chopper style of rap before moving into slower forms, and in the liner notes of Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life he describes this, saying of "The Originators" that "we was using that fast style that everybody seems to be using now".[28][29] Vol 2... Hard Knock Life also included the single "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" as a sequel to their previous chopper-style collaboration.[30] Also active in New York in the late 1990s was Latino rapper Big Pun, who was known for his fast-paced, witty lyrics and ability to rap for long periods of time without taking a breath,[31][32] very much in the manner of the chopper style.[3]

2000–present – Spread across the globe
Tech N9ne is one of the most successful artists to rap in the chopper style.

In 1999, Missouri rapper Tech N9ne and his business partner Travis O'Guin founded the independent record label Strange Music.[33] Anghellic, Tech N9ne's first album released through Strange Music, sold 278,000 copies and marked his breakthrough from an underground artist to a commercial success.[34] He continued to release albums on the independent label regularly, with six further albums in the 2000s alone, and became established as one of the major chopper artists.[35] His "Tech N9ne Collabos" series, so far consisting of eight albums released between 2007–2017, is a collection of albums featuring other artists on every track, through which Tech N9ne has introduced a wide range of artists to his substantial fanbase. The albums include collaborations from fellow Strange Music artists such as Krizz Kaliko, Yukmouth and Kutt Calhoun; as well as other chopper rappers, other rappers who do not normally rap in chopper style, and some rock artists.[5][36] Due largely to the success of Tech N9ne's career Strange Music has become a major independent record label and hosts a sizeable roster of artists including many in the chopper genre.

The 2000s also saw mainstream success come for some of the earliest choppers. Twista's fourth studio album, Kamikaze, topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2004, and his next three albums all reached the chart's top 10.[37] Bone Thugs-n-Harmony released five albums from 2000–2010, all of which charted in the top 50 positions of the Billboard 200.[24] Throughout the 1990s, New York rapper Busta Rhymes had been creating music, first as a part of the group Leaders of the New School from 1989–1993 and then as a solo artist from then onwards.[38] Beginning with his 1998 album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front he began to rap at faster speeds on some songs, and throughout the time since then he has incorporated chopper-style rapping on several of his successful tracks, such as 2001's "Break Ya Neck"[39] and his guest verse on Tech N9ne's 2011 single "Worldwide Choppers",[4] leading many to consider Busta Rhymes a chopper rapper.[3] Rhymes' music was highly successful throughout the 2000s,[40][40] and his unorthodox style is considered by some to be one of the most significant developments in the style in recent times.[39]

The 21st century has seen chopper rap spread from its roots in the Midwest and in New York across the world of hip hop. In the South, rappers such as Chamillionaire and Yelawolf have utilised the style,[3] while on the West Coast rappers such as San Diego-born rapper Twisted Insane and Snow Tha Product from San Jose regularly rap in the chopper style.[12] The style has also spread to Europe, with Danish rapper U$O and Turkish rapper Ceza both featuring on Tech N9ne's aforementioned single "Worldwide Choppers", and particularly to Germany.[9] German rappers such as Samy Deluxe, Olli Banjo, Kollegah, Hollywood Hank, DCVDNS[9] and Schwartz. ShimmyMC featured American choppers Twisted Insane and Wrekonize on his single "Thron".[41] The style has also been adopted in Asia, with Korean rapper Outsider being known for his very high speeds rapping in the Korean language.[42]

gollark: I see.
gollark: Why do you not have a phone?
gollark: Oh.
gollark: I don't have any reasonable usecase for a tablet, so I don't use one.
gollark: Well, "phone" mostly refers to smartphones nowadays.

See also

References
  1. AudioSparx: Midwest Hip Hop and Rap
  2. Albert Samaha. "P.R.E.A.C.H. keeps the Midwest chopper tradition alive". Riverfront Times. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  3. Iandoli, Kathy. "20 Of Hip-Hop's Fastest Rappers". XXL. Harris Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  4. Lyrics of "Worldwide Choppers"
  5. Tech N9ne gathers the fastest rappers for Worldwide Choppers
  6. STaRDoGGCHaMP; et al. "DCVDNS – German Choppers Lyrics". Genius (in German). Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  7. "DJ Lil Sprite". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  8. Lyrics of "Midwest Choppers 2"
  9. Patrick, Vanessa. "Das ist Chopper – und so kam der Style nach Deutschland". Puls Musik (in German). Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  10. Paine, Jake. "Tech N9ne Reveals "So Lonely" Originally Intended As Eminem Collaboration, Talks Role Of Metaphors In His Verses". HipHopDX. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  11. "10 Horrorcore Tracks For Halloween". hotnewhiphop.com.
  12. ScottieD. "Twisted Insane Interview (7/18/25)". Faygoluvers.net. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  13. http://www.discogs.com/Spoonie-Gee-Treacherous-Three-The-New-Rap-Language-Love-Rap/release/202044
  14. waldfield; et al. "Treacherous Three – The New Rap Language Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  15. JDGiggles; et al. "Kool Moe Dee – Battle w/ Busy Bee (Harlem World, 1981) Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  16. Huey, Steve. "Daddy Freddy". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGFhP_bmsMo
  18. IllustriousQ; et al. "Eminem – Rap God Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  19. Cobalt; Nicolanifanta. "Anti-MC (Part 2)". Hiphopcore.net. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  20. Ward, Shane. "Pigeon John". Formatmag.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  21. "Twista". Atlantic Records. 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-02-04.
  22. "Back on Dayton Ave: The Dayton Family Interview". Psychopathic Records. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  23. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Biography". Bone Thugs-N-Harmony official website. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008.
  24. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  25. "Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Chart History: The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  26. Soren Baker (October 18, 2002). "Tech N9ne Says 'Industry Is Punks,' Goes Own Way For Power". VH1.
  27. Heisenferg; Timnelson14. "Jaz-O". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  28. "Vol 2... Hard Knock Life liner notes". Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  29. AintNoJigga; et al. "Jaz-O – The Originators Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  30. AintNoJigga; et al. "Jay-Z – Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator '99) Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  31. "Big Pun". Biography.com. August 9, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  32. Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987 - 2007 - 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time. Rap.about.com (February 15, 1999). Retrieved on 2019-01-23.
  33. Roberts, Steven (March 25, 2010). "Tech N9ne Says He Found Success On The Road". MTV.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  34. Mitchell, Gail (4 July 2009). "Nine Lives" (PDF). Billboard. 121 (26). pp. 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  35. "Tech N9ne Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  36. Yeung, Neil Z. "Tech N9ne Collabos Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  37. "Artist Chart History – Twista – Albums". Billboard.
  38. Markman, Rob. "BUSTA RHYMES RECALLS LONS' 'YO! MTV RAPS' BREAKUP". Mtv.com. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  39. Unholygeneral; et al. "Busta Rhymes – Break Ya Neck Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  40. "Busta Rhymes – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
  41. ShimmyMC; et al. "ShimmyMC – Thron Lyrics". Genius. Genius Media Group Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  42. "Star Focus: Outsider". Arirang. Korea International Broadcasting Foundation. Retrieved 20 May 2011. Amongst the many rappers, Outsider distinguishes himself! He can go through 21 syllables per second, and his rap is the result of hard practice.
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