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

Rap rock1986

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

The difference, by ear

Rap rock is the wider rock-branch category. Rap metal specifically uses metal's tuning, distortion and rhythm section.

Both are rapped and move at much the same pace, around 90 to 130 bpm. To hear the difference, play Rage Against the Machine next to Run-DMC & Aerosmith. Rap metal comes from the metal side of the tree and rap rock from the rock side, and rap rock came first, by five years.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Rap metal7
Rap rock6
−1
Speed
Rap metal6
Rap rock6
level
Melody
Rap metal6
Rap rock6
level

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.

Full page →

Rap rock

1986 · New York, USA

Where it sits

Rock › Alternative rock › Funk rock › Rap rock

In short

Rapped vocals over rock riffs. The Run-DMC and Aerosmith collaboration opened the door; Rage turned it into a political weapon.

How it sounds

  • Rapped verses over guitar riffs, with drums borrowed from breakbeats.
  • DJ scratching or samples built into the arrangement.
  • Groove on the downbeat, built for movement rather than speed.

Key acts

  • Run-DMC & Aerosmith
  • Beastie Boys
  • Rage Against the Machine

Start here

The pickRage Against the Machine - the debut. No synths and no samples, just four people.

Full page →