Nu Metal vs. Rap Metal

Attribute	Nu Metal	Rap Metal
Main Genre	Rock	Rock
Main Vocal Style	Clean vocals, screaming, rapping	Clean vocals, screaming, rapping
Main Instrumentation	Guitar, bass, drums, turntables	Guitar, bass, drums, turntables
Main Themes	Angst, aggression, personal struggles	Angst, aggression, social issues
Origins	United States in the mid-1990s	United States in the late 1990s

Introduction

Nu Metal and Rap Metal are two subgenres of metal music that have gained popularity over the years. While they both incorporate elements of metal music, they also draw influences from other genres such as hip-hop and rap. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Nu Metal and Rap Metal to see how they differ and what sets them apart.

Origins

Nu Metal emerged in the late 1990s as a fusion of alternative metal, grunge, and hip-hop. Bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park were at the forefront of this movement, blending heavy guitar riffs with rap vocals and electronic elements. On the other hand, Rap Metal has its roots in the early 1990s with bands like Rage Against the Machine and Body Count incorporating rap lyrics and vocal delivery over metal instrumentation.

Instrumentation

One of the key differences between Nu Metal and Rap Metal lies in their instrumentation. Nu Metal bands typically feature downtuned guitars, heavy bass lines, and electronic elements such as samples and synthesizers. The drumming in Nu Metal is often characterized by a mix of hip-hop beats and traditional metal rhythms. In contrast, Rap Metal bands focus more on the traditional metal sound with heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and occasional scratching or sampling to add a hip-hop flavor.

Vocals

Another distinguishing factor between Nu Metal and Rap Metal is the vocal style. Nu Metal vocalists often employ a mix of aggressive screaming and melodic singing, with occasional rap verses thrown in. The lyrics in Nu Metal songs tend to focus on personal struggles, angst, and social issues. On the other hand, Rap Metal vocalists primarily use rap vocals, delivering fast-paced rhymes over the heavy metal instrumentation. The lyrics in Rap Metal songs often touch on political themes, social commentary, and personal experiences.

Lyrics

When it comes to lyrics, Nu Metal and Rap Metal differ in their subject matter and delivery. Nu Metal lyrics often explore themes of alienation, depression, and anger, reflecting the angst of the late 90s and early 2000s. The lyrics in Nu Metal songs are often introspective and emotional, delving into personal struggles and inner demons. In contrast, Rap Metal lyrics are more politically charged and socially conscious, addressing issues such as racism, inequality, and injustice. Rap Metal songs often feature powerful messages and calls to action.

Popularity

Both Nu Metal and Rap Metal enjoyed mainstream success in the late 90s and early 2000s, with bands like Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, and Rage Against the Machine dominating the charts and airwaves. However, as musical trends shifted, both subgenres saw a decline in popularity in the mid-2000s. While Nu Metal has experienced a resurgence in recent years with bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Code Orange incorporating elements of the genre into their music, Rap Metal has remained relatively underground with only a few bands carrying the torch.

Influence

Despite their decline in popularity, both Nu Metal and Rap Metal have had a lasting influence on the music industry. The fusion of metal and hip-hop in Nu Metal paved the way for the rise of genres like metalcore and electronicore, which continue to be popular today. Rap Metal, on the other hand, inspired a new wave of politically charged music that addresses social issues and challenges the status quo. Both subgenres have left a mark on the music landscape and continue to influence artists across different genres.