Hip-hop is a unique culture that has been affecting popular trends for decades already. The interesting part is the symbolism it carries. It’s more than just a genre. The best way to understand that is by checking out the style of popular artists.
Also, you can see how the trends are changing over time, and some of them even going back and forth. One thing is certain. Making a good rap song is not enough. You need that “swag” to attract fans.
What You Wear Can Make a Difference?
It may sound weird to those who are not so much into this culture, but when you check out what all of those popular names are wearing, you will notice that being different and some would say “weird” is the whole point.
So, what is the Swag Outfit?
The main point is to highlight freedom, and is there a better way for doing that then wearing all those baggy clothes like pants and jackets? A model with a print, that is all shiny and can easily get attraction from everyone is the right choice. Models like RSO bubble coat are the best examples of jackets that every rapper should wear.
We can see similar patterns when it comes to pants, jeans, and never shoes. Then point is to make everyone on the street notice you and figure out that you really are something else. You are your own boss. That’s what Swag is after all.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
One thing never went out of style for rappers, and that is jewelry. But not any jewelry, we are thinking about those large golden chains, unique hats with logos, and other items. All of them can send a message.
The unique take on rap music, and trappers, went even further by wearing braces as accessories. They also introduced a new trend which is a bit controversial, the face tattoos.
Artists like Lil Pump, Post Malone, Lil Skies, and many others are well-known for wearing colorful braces and having face tattoos, which makes their appearance more unique. So, people are recognizing them not just for their music.
Music is Still in the Main Focus
It may not seem like that for some, but style is not so relevant if you are not making music people will listen.
The challenging part with rap these days is the huge competition. That is one of the main reasons why we are seeing so many subgenres. Artists are playing with sound to find their own “swag”.
Some attempts have been quite successful in recent years.
How to Choose the Right Style?
The most important thing is to never focus on solely copying your favorite artists. Try to be your own. Play around with sounds and go for that thing that suits you best.
The good part is that making music today is much easier than it was 20 or 30 years ago. You can get some DAW like FL Studio or Logic Pro, and make some beats in your bedroom. Get some basic mic for the start, and start playing around.
There is no need to pay for professional producers until you figure out which style has the best potential. Maybe you might even manage to compete the whole track on your own, share it on popular streaming platforms, and gain popularity without any labels involved.
Mumble Rap and Swag Culture
The best example is trap music, or to be more specific, Mumble Rap. Those old-school names are often criticized it for having no sense. However, they have millions of fans, hundreds of millions of streams, and filled arenas wherever they go on a tour.
So, its working. Names like Migos, Gucci Mane, Travis Scot, and others. They are all criticized for many things, but they keep doing their thing, making unique catchy beats with some hasty lyrics people will easily remember (if they really understand them at all).
If someone wanted to make a theory on what is swag, these guys should be part of that answer.
Other Popular Subgenres
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Trap is not the only version of rap that is trying to introduce innovation. There is another unique take on hip-hop that actually defined its own subgenre. We don’t even know where to put it in the list of subgenres except just saying that it’s Dope D.O.D.
The famous group from the Netherlands is known for throwing heavy beats and controversial lyrics. They worked with some of the best producers in the world, such as Noisia. Their song “Pyro” is co-produced with Onyx, while the beat was made by Noisia, which can be easily noticed by that heavy Reece bass.
Other electronic producers, specifically those active in genres like dubstep and drum&bass were making beats for these guys. We cannot leave out the legendary Neurofunk group Black Sun Empire which worked with Dope D.O.D. on a song called Refuge.
In case you still don’t get it what is a Swag, just check out these guys. They are unique, heavy, controversial, and most importantly, easily recognizable for their style.
The 2000’s Rap Actually Invented Swag
The trend became popular during the 2000s with artists like Jay-Z. He even said in one of his songs that he’s the one who invented it in the first place.
The fun fact is that the word Swag has been traced to 14th-century Scandinavia. The meaning of it was “bag”, which is funny as we can relate all these rappers today with that term as they are wearing baggy clothes.
Now, to get back to Jay-Z and his claim. Well, its not completely true as we can relate all those big names from the 90s to it as well. The Brooklyn Style, for example, is known for its unique lyrics and clothing style.
And let’s not forget the beefs between West and East coast, and legendary artists and groups like NWA, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Biggie Smalls, and others. The “Gangsta” Rap has its own level of “swag”. For people who grew up listening to these rappers, modern version is actually quite light.
Conclusion
In the end, the meaning of Swag is to be different and controversial, and showing that through both music and outfit. Our advice for you is to never focus on doing what others do. Find your path and play around. After all, music is supposed to be fun, and various messages can be sent between the lines.
