rap rock songs

Rap rock is a music genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock is often confused with rap metal and rapcore, subgenres that include heavy metal-oriented and hardcore punk-oriented bands, respectively. These styles became the basis for nu metal.

Proceeding the development of rap rock, some rock bands had experimented with old school hip hop influences, such as Blondie and The Clash.^[1][2] In 1986, Run-D.M.C. collaborated with Aerosmith on a remake of the latter's earlier song, "Walk This Way", first released in 1975. The success of the remake helped bring hip hop into popularity with a mainstream white audience.^[3] Beastie Boys, formerly a hardcore punk group, began working in the hip hop genre. Their debut album, Licensed to Ill, largely featured a rock-based sound.^[4] Detroit rapper Esham became known for his "acid rap" style, which fused rapped death metal-influenced lyrics with a sound that was often rock and metal-based,^[5][6] and is considered to be an influence on the development of rap rock and rap metal.^[5] Rappers who sampled rock songs included Ice-T, The Fat Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Whodini.^[7]

Rap rock began to enter the mainstream arena in the 1990s. Rock bands such as 24-7 Spyz, Faith No More, Living Colour, Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers fused rock and hip hop influences.^[7][8] The soundtrack album for the 1993 film Judgment Night featured 11 collaborations between hip hop and rock musicians.^[9] Urban Dance Squad mixed funk, heavy metal, hip hop and punk.^[10] Biohazard is also considered to be a pioneering act in the genre.^[11] Cypress Hill's Black Sunday featured a rock-based sound and artwork which, according to Allmusic reviewer Steve Huey, resembled that of heavy metal bands.^[12] Beck's successful 1994 single "Loser" incorporated hip hop influences,^[5] including an imitation of Chuck D's rapping style.^[13]

Rap rock gained mainstream popularity in the late-90s. Among the first wave of performers to gain mainstream success were 311,^[14] Bloodhound Gang,^[15] and Kid Rock.^[16] Rap rock would become the basis for the nu metal genre,^[17] and some bands in this genre are known for rapping, including Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit.^[7] Although the popularity of these styles is believed to be declining,^[8] some believe that rap rock may regain popularity, with younger music fans discovering bands in the genre