Lecture Notes: The Art of Coke Rap
Introduction to Coke Rap
- Definition: Coke rap is a subgenre of hip-hop focused on drug dealing, specifically cocaine.
- Themes: It's about the lifestyle, including the high, paranoia, power, luxury, and downfall.
- Comparison: Unlike trap music, which focuses on street hustle, Coke rap involves storytelling and reflection, akin to movies like "The Godfather" rather than "Snowfall."
Characteristics of Coke Rap
Sound
- Beats: Unlike typical trap beats, Coke rap incorporates soul samples, dramatic strings, dark piano, and boom-bap drums.
- Producers: Notable producers include The Alchemist, Kanye West, Just Blaze, RZA, and Pharrell Williams.
Lyricism
- Storytelling: Coke rappers use double meanings, metaphors, and wordplay to portray drug dealing as an art form.
- Examples:
- Pusha T: Utilizes fashion, history, and wealth in his lyrics.
- Jay-Z: Reflects on ambition and life goals.
Why Coke Rap is Beloved
- Cinematic Quality: Songs are reminiscent of crime films like "Scarface" or "Goodfellas."
- Lyrical Excellence: Features some of the best writing in hip-hop, focusing on storytelling and wordplay.
- Motivational: Inspires ambition and hustle, even outside the context of drug dealing.
Essential Coke Rap Albums
- Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt": Merges luxury rap with cautionary tales.
- Raekwon's "Only Built for Cuban Linx": The holy grail of Coke rap with Mafia aesthetics.
- Benny The Butcher's "Tana Talk 3": Reflects on the drug game's violence and hustle.
- Ghostface Killah's "Supreme Clientele": A creative hip-hop album with street narratives.
- Roc Marciano and The Alchemist's "The Elephant Man’s Bones": Minimalist sound with drumless beats.
- Pusha T's "Daytona": Refined and concise Coke rap with Kanye West's production.
- Conway The Machine's "Reject 2": Dark and introspective with a horror movie vibe.
- Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's "Piñata": Soulful beats with gritty street tales.
- Clipse's "Hell Hath No Fury": Cold and calculated, a Coke rap classic.
- Westside Gunn's "Pray for Paris": Blends high fashion and street tales.
Conclusion
- Coke rap is celebrated for its raw, poetic, and luxurious nature, representing hip-hop in its purest form.
- It's an art form that captures ambition, storytelling, and the complexities of the drug game.
Personal Reflection: The speaker expresses love for Coke rap and encourages exploring the genre through recommended albums, inviting listeners to share their favorite Coke rappers.
Note: These notes summarize the key points and themes discussed in the lecture about the subgenre of Coke rap in hip-hop.