Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Rap metal1991

Second genre

Funk rock1984

Head to headRap metal vs Funk rock
Rap metal: heaviness 7, melody 6, speed 6. Funk rock: heaviness 5, melody 7, speed 6.Heaviness7 / 5Melody6 / 7Speed6 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Both take hip-hop's rhythmic vocabulary. Funk rock keeps a singer; rap metal brings a rapper.

Funk rock is sung cleanly where rap metal is rapped, at much the same pace, around 90 to 130 bpm. To hear the difference, play Rage Against the Machine next to Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rap metal comes from the metal side of the tree and funk rock from the rock side, and funk rock came first, by seven years.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Rap metal7
Funk rock5
−2
Speed
Rap metal6
Funk rock6
level
Melody
Rap metal6
Funk rock7
+1

Rap metal

1991 · USA

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Nu metal › Rap metal

In short

Rapped vocals over metal riffs, built around groove and a shouted chorus.

How it sounds

  • Rapped verses over metal riffs, with the groove on the downbeat.
  • DJ scratching, or guitar effects imitating scratching.
  • Shouted choruses built for large venues.

Key acts

  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Limp Bizkit
  • Body Count

Start here

The pickRage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. Their best-produced record.

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Funk rock

1984 · California, USA · 1 subgenre

Where it sits

Rock › Alternative rock › Funk rock

In short

Slap bass and funk grooves under rock guitars. Rap rock, and through it nu metal, start here.

How it sounds

  • Slap bass or a very prominent bass tone as the lead instrument.
  • Funk-style guitar with ninth chords and wah-wah, alternating with heavy riffs.
  • Syncopated groove and drums full of ghost notes.

Key acts

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Faith No More
  • Living Colour

Start here

The pickFaith No More - Angel Dust. An album that deliberately sabotages its own success.

Full page →