Rap music is accredited as being an American minority art form, but that depends largely on the critics. While it's not favored by all it does have a remarkable history that goes back a couple of decades in the United States. And actually the history of rap back can be traced back to the Griots (West African storytellers).
Some Rap Sub-Genres
East Coast: New York City was the nursery bed for rap music and responsible for it becoming mainstream. Artists like Run-D.M.C, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane are named as being instrumental in widening the audience for rap.
West Coast: West Coast rap music enjoyed recognition from the mid 80s onward.
Dirty South: Hip Hop artists from the South turned to independent music labels to produce and promote their work. The Dirty South genre relates to places like Houston and Miami.
Gangsta Rap: Gangsta rap is defined by lyrics that portray elements of criminal cultures.
Pop Rap: A somewhat dilute one-size fits all form of rap. Less controversial than the Gangsta Rap genre, and therefore it gains a wider mainstream audience more likely to receive coverage.
Christian Rap: Christian Rap took became popular due to rap groups like S.F.C. and P.I.D.
Jazz Rap: This genre often embraces Afro-political themes.
Conscious Hip Hop: Conscious Hip Hop deals with social issues like as poverty.
Electro Hip Hop: Dance and rap combined.
Rap music is a fast evolving musical art form. You can download new rap songs from websites like Imesh that are online.