What is Poetry Rap?

Poetry rap is rap that isn't made to sell commercially. Poetry rap is made to tell a story. So, maybe it's made to play at parties and it's not made to listen to the complexity of the beat, it's made specifically to focus on the lyrics involved. So if the beat isn't bumping loudly and the rappers aren't talking about sex and drugs, maybe you are wondering what's the point of listening to rap? There's more to rap that meets the eyes, just because the mainstream rap that you hear on the radio is about sex and drugs doesn't mean that it all is. Now, there are poetry rappers that have made it bigger than others. Atmosphere is the most well known poetry rap group out there right now, but compared to artists that get mainstream play, they're no where near as well known.

Atmosphere

Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group Atmosphere consists of rapper Slug (Sean Daley), and producer Ant (Anthony Davis). They've been making music and performing since 1989, so they've been through a ton as a group. They've seen the rise and fall of modern rap artists. Slug and Ant are both co-founders of the Rhymesayers Entertainment hip hop record label based out of Minneapolis. You may have heard of the Soundset music festival before, which is hosted by Rhymesayers Entertainment. Atmosphere is consistently putting out poetry rap that will be timeless throughout the ages.

Some examples of their work:

Mick Jenkins

Another rapper along the same poetry rapper tone would be Mick Jenkins, who released his first mixtape, The Mickstape in January 2012. Mick Jenkins is rapping out of Chicago, Illinois, but was born in Alabama. He's signed to the independent record label Cinematic Music Group or CMG, their roster consists of rappers such as Big K.R.I.T., and Smoke DZA.

Some examples of his work:

Grieves

Another Rhymesayers rapper, though to be fair this article might as well be called "Who's On Rhymesayers" because they could all make this list. Grieves, or Benjamin Laub, was born February 23, 1984. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but he grew up in Seattle, Washington. He achieved national acclaim with his debut on Rhymesayers in 2011 with the album Together/Apart.

Some examples of his work:

Aesop Rock

No, not A$AP Rocky. Aesop Rock, or Ian Matthias Bavitz, was born June 5th 1976. He was at the front of the new wave of underground and alternative rap that emerged in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Until 2010, he was signed to the Definitive Jux label, but now is currently on the Rhymesayers roster. Currently he is living in Portland, Oregon.

Some examples of his work:

Born with a rare genetic condition of albinism, a disorder characterized by a lack of pigment in skin, eyes, and hair, Brother Ali is a force to be reckoned with. Brother Ali, born Ali Douglas Newman in 1977, is a hip hop artist on the Rhymesyers Entertainment collective. He is not only known for his music, but as a community activist for social justice, privilege, and gay rights.

Some examples of his work: