Rap’s exponential growth in popularity

BY MAXWELL ABBBATIELLO | PHOTOS BY PEARL SPURLOCK | DESIGN BY JOE TIMMERMAN

Rap music is more than what most make it out to be. To some, it is workout music, something you can relate to or maybe it’s just the right combination of sounds to satisfy that itch in your brain. But for others, it’s a medium, an outlet to express what one is truly feeling, to spread awareness and even a beacon of hope in a time where hope is hard to find. The rap genre’s roots can be traced back to the 1970s in New York City, although it didn’t pick up popularity until later in the decade. The song “Rapper's Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang is arguably what gave rap its initial popularity. The song was the first hip-hop/rap song to reach the top 40 on the Billboards, according to History and Billboard. The hip-hop/rap genre has resonated with the younger generation the most. According to a survey published by Statista Research on Jan. 8, when asked the question “What type of music do you listen to?” 48 percent of the participants in the age group 16-19 said hip-hop/rap, while 52 percent of the participants in the age group 20-24 said hip-hop/rap as well. Saige Smith, a sophomore at Ohio University studying political science, believes that the majority of rap’s audience is younger because the content of the music appeals to the younger population the most. “I feel like rap music tells a very distinctive story about success, about having fun, about doing some cool stuff,” Smith says. Having the talent to rap isn’t as common as one may think. Tavian Gray, who goes by G-swerve, is a rapper from Columbus who is signed to Brick City Records. He first started writing lyrics in seventh grade when a friend passed him a note with lyrics on it that he had written. He found it interesting so he decided to write his own, and he hasn’t stopped writing since. The first song he ever recorded was a freestyle over the beat for “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-tang Clan. He was 16. Now 21 years old, G-swerve says rap has changed him a lot as a person, and for the better. “Before I first started rapping, I didn’t talk that much, I was kind of quiet and called an outcast,” he says. “When I started rapping it was like learning a different language. I was finally able to communicate with those around me about how I was feeling and what made me feel the way that I do. Having that language that not everybody can speak however everyone can understand is a privilege.”

There is no question that the sound of rap has evolved over time. There are now subgenres that have formed over time, such as emo rap, drill, mumble rap and many others. “Playboi Carti is a perfect example of an artist evolving,” Smith says. “I think his music evolved from a baby rap voice to a more grungy rap.” G-swerve also has thoughts on how rap has evolved on a broader spectrum. “I think rap music has absolutely evolved for the best,” he says. “Coming from a generation that deals with a lot of mental health issues, when I listen to rap, it acts as a reporter for the community.” G-swerve uses his music to spread awareness about his own personal experiences. According to G-swerve’s artist biography on Spotify, “Starting at age 6, G-swerve has recreated his world through introspective lyrics and beat compositions. As a young Type 1 Diabetic, G-swerve expresses his journey and the battles associated with it through his music. Although times have been tough, G-swerve continues to be the voice for not only the Diabetic community but also for those who seek the medicinal values of authentic musical expression.” Rappers have also been known to be outspoken in their music when it comes to social issues in their community. When the Black Lives Matter movement started gaining exponential traction after the death of George Floyd in 2020, there was an outpour of music supporting the cause from Black artists, Tavian “G-swerve” Gray in his recording studio in Columbus, Ohio, on according to Genius. Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. G-Swerve has songs on several platforms, including Lil Baby released “The Bigger Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Picture” in June 2020, a song detailing his experience being a Black man in American society and the oppression he faced from the justice system and police. Chicago rapper Polo G came out with “Last Man Standing” in February 2021, a song that also calls out the problem of police brutality. It is hard to escape the sound of rap, even if one is not a fan of the genre. Along with great music, rap has provided the world with so much more: a voice for people who have a story to tell, a community for artists who share the passion to create and most importantly different perspectives from those willing to share. “Rap is just a reflection of the communities and the backgrounds that some of these artists are coming from, myself included,” G-swerve says. For those interested in supporting G-swerve, check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube or connect with him on Instagram @swerve_therealest or Twitter @TavianGray. b

STORIES TOLD IN SOUND

Rap provides a platform for artists to connect with their audience and bring awareness to pressing issues.

Tavian “G-swerve” Gray, a rapper, songwriter and music producer poses at his home in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.