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Music taste5 minutes

Which Hip-Hop music type are you? Take the sound test

In a nutshell
  • Your personal Hip-Hop music taste is best determined by your reaction to different rhythmic structures and sound aesthetics.
  • Lovers of classic Boom-Bap prefer earthy, sample-based beats with a clear, heavy rhythm on the counts of two and four.
  • Fans of modern Trap and Cloud-Rap are more likely to respond to synthetic sounds, extremely fast hi-hat patterns, and deep, rolling sub-basses.

Every beat moves the body differently. Find out with our quick sound test which Hip-Hop era defines your personal dance rhythm and which subgenres best complement your style.

Why the right beat defines your dance style

Hip-Hop is far more than just a single genre, it is a vast, constantly changing universe of beats, basses, and rhythms. While some people immediately start nodding their heads to the dull thud of an analog snare drum from the nineties, others only start moving to the rapid hi-hats and deep sub-basses of modern productions. The music you move to in the studio or at the club shapes your entire dance expression and determines how you fill the space.

If you want to understand your own Hip-Hop beats, this sound test will help you find your musical home. The different eras have produced their own unique dynamics. While the golden era relied on organic samples and handmade loops, the modern scene experiments with atmospheric synthesizers and digital effects. Both have their own unique appeal on the dance floor.

Take the big Hip-Hop sound test

  1. Which sound makes your head nod instantly?

    • A: A warm, slightly crackling piano sample with an earthy, heavy drum beat
    • B: A deep, vibrating bass that goes through your whole body, combined with fast-paced hi-hats
  2. How do you imagine the perfect atmosphere for a session?

    • A: A cozy circle in a backyard or an old hall with relaxed, family-like vibes
    • B: A darkened room with intense neon light, a fog machine, and an electrifying mood
  3. Which instruments or sounds do you notice first in a track?

    • A: The scratchy snare drum and the characteristic crackle of an old vinyl record
    • B: The melodic, almost floating synthesizer pads and the extremely deep sub-basses
  4. How does your body prefer to react to the music?

    • A: With a steady, deep bounce that keeps your whole body in a constant flow
    • B: With fast, sudden stops and flowing, wave-like movements in alternation

Your evaluation

Mostly A: The old-school boom-bap fan

Your heart beats for the classic sound of the nineties. You love the warm, crackling sound of old vinyl samples, jazzy chords, and the unmistakable, heavy boom-bap rhythm. Your dance style is likely characterized by a rich, deep groove and a constant, earthy bounce.

To develop your dancing further, you can specifically search for old-school playlists and try to isolate the subtle nuances of the sampled instruments in your movements.

Mostly B: The modern trap & cloud lover

You have arrived absolutely in the here and now, and you love the modern, digital aesthetic. Fast, rattling hi-hats, extremely deep 808 basses, and spherical, almost floating synthesizer sounds get you moving immediately. Your dance style is likely dynamic, explosive, and uses the contrasts of fast accents and flowing pauses.

Use this preference to work on your isolation technique and fast changes of direction, which fit perfectly with the rapid hi-hat rolls.

The two sound worlds in direct comparison

FeatureBoom-Bap (Classic)Trap & Cloud (Modern)
Main instrumentsAcoustic drum samples, jazz & soul loopsSynthesizers, Roland TR-808, digital effects
Rhythm focusHeavy snare on 2 and 4, steady grooveRattling hi-hats, irregular bass patterns
Dance vibeDeep bounce, earthy and continuous movementsHigh contrast, stop-and-go, fast isolations
Sound characterWarm, raw, organic and steeped in historyAtmospheric, futuristic, cold and powerful

The classification is based on the typical production features and rhythmic focal points of the respective eras.

How to use your test result in training

Once you have your test result in black and white, you can use this knowledge specifically for your training. If you find yourself more in the classic boom bap area, music with a clear, earthy groove will do you good. You can specifically search for playlists that focus on the golden era of the nineties. Your dance will particularly benefit here from a deep, continuous bounce that reflects the rhythmic heartbeat of this era. A look into history is worthwhile to understand the roots of this movement, such as the birth of Hip-Hop in the Bronx.

Should your heart beat more for trap and cloud rap, modern playlists with fast, rolling hi-hats are your perfect companion. Use the atmospheric pauses and the sudden bass drops of these tracks to play with contrasts in your movement: fast, precise accents followed by flowing, almost floating transitions. No matter what type you are, conscious listening trains your ear and makes you a more versatile dancer at every social and in every course.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Boom Bap is characterized by a classic drum pattern, usually based on soul or funk samples, where the kick drum is on the one and the snare hits hard on the two and four. Trap, on the other hand, uses synthetic sounds from the Roland TR-808 machine, extremely fast, rolling hi-hats, and dominant, deep sub-basses.

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