The Song Planner

Baltimore Club Rap

tagStarted 1991Peak 2003-2010Last big hit still activeFrom Baltimore, United States

Located in 1 route

Hip-Hop / Rap → Club / Dance / Electronic Rap

Baltimore's 8/4 breakbeat club sound, around 130 BPM, fused with rap: the looped 'Sing Sing'/'Think' break, four-on-the-floor kicks, repetitive chopped vocal chants, and call-out commands. Rawer and more breakbeat-driven than Jersey or Philly club, it pairs gritty party hooks with hard, percussive momentum, hypnotic and stomping.

History

Created in early-1990s Baltimore by DJs Frank Ski, Scottie B, and DJ Technics fusing house and breakbeat. Rod Lee, 'the original don,' and DJ Class brought rap-leaning anthems, with Class's 2009 'I'm the Ish' going national. K-Swift championed it on radio until 2008, and TT The Artist with producer Mighty Mark carried the rap strain forward.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Hip-Hop / Rap

Sources

  • Wikipedia: Baltimore club
  • Baltimore Sun: The history of Unruly Records
  • Vice: Meet TT The Artist and Mighty Mark