Hip Hop vs Punk: Difference and Comparison

The world revolves around music. Some use it for relaxing, whereas others use it as a coping mechanism. Hip-hop and punk have gained huge popularity over the years because of the upbeats and the relaxation they give. Most of the songs in these genres have a message to society that is either trending or prevalent. 

Key Takeaways

1. Hip-hop is a music genre originating from African American and Latinx communities, characterized by rap, beats, and DJing.
2. Punk is a music genre with roots in rock, characterized by fast tempos, aggressive lyrics, and a rebellious attitude.
3. Both genres have influenced fashion, art, and youth culture worldwide but have distinct styles and messages.

Hip Hop vs Punk

Hip Hop is a music genre that originated in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx, New York City, during the 1970s. Punk was a music genre in the mid-1970s, characterized by its fast-paced, aggressive sound, simple and politically charged lyrics, and anti-establishment attitude.

Hip-hop is a style of music that became more famous in the 1970s and gained popularity due to the upbeats. Traditionally the music is said to be done on the instruments like synthesisers, guitars and drums, and they stand for a cause. It is initiated with a 4/4 beating.

Punk is another style of music that gained popularity in the 1970s due to the cause it was sung for. The punks are more violent and are said to be on themes that are not expressed freely. Punk music also gained popularity in the U.K., Australia, and the U.S. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Hip Hop	Punk
Instruments used	Synthesisers and drums are used for composing the music.	It uses instruments like an electric guitar, bass drum for the background music.
Themes	They are based on a social cause and sometimes they don’t have a cause.	They are always based on a social cause and more violent because they are topics that are prevalent in society.
Popularity	Hip hop was started in New York and was popular in the U.S.	Unlike hip hop, it also gained popularity in the U.K as well as Australia alongside the United States.
Style	Hip hop music has an upbeat style to catch the eyes of people.	Punk music has an edgy and fast style of music because the music is violent.
Speciality	They start with 4/4 beatings and cover rap, beatboxing, freestyling, etc.	They wear clothes that are very distant and deviate from the social norms.

What is Hip Hop?

Hip-hop is a style of music that is popular all over the world now. Hip-hop started in the Big Apple, situated in New York, in the 1970s. The style gained popularity worldwide, but back then was only famous in the U.S.  

Generally, the music of hip hop is generated by the use of very few instruments, like the synthesiser, drums, etc that give a piece of upbeat music. Although the music is upbeat, it is not violent and easy to hear and understand. The lyrics have a theme that is political and for a better understanding of perspectives of society.

Rap and hip hop are used as synonyms of each other, but in reality, they hold different meanings. Rap is a part of the hip-hop culture, which includes many other sub-divisions. In today’s scenario, they are used interchangeably. Hip-hop is a huge class that consists of all the styles like freestyle, rap, loop, scratches and even beatbox. 

Hip-hop is sung in a capella style and starts with a 4/4 beating. The theme of the song is represented by the chants, rhymes, wordplay and verses. Hip-hop songs sometimes don’t have a theme and are mere wordplay attached to upbeat music for enjoyment. 

What is Punk?

Punk, called Punk Rock, is a famous form of music that gained in its popularity along with hip-hop in the 1970s. The style started in the U.S but also gained early popularity in the U.K and Australia due to the theme it promoted and is now popular worldwide,

The music is composed of the instruments like the electric guitar and a bass drum which provide a base for the music. The music has a political theme but is more violent as the political cause is less spoken about or not spoken about. They are anti-authoritarianism. The music is more edgy and fast as they need to make a difference.

Punk is referred to as anti-social by some people because of the words used sometimes to represent the theme they are implying. A survey also showed that people criticize this form of music because they think this causes a negative impact on the mental health of people and also affects their thought processes. 

The artist who creates punk music wear clothes that are not socially accepted or publicly not worn to represent the violent nature of the songs as well as deviate from the social mandates. This is to prove their point against authoritarianism.

Main Differences Between Hip Hop and Punk 

1. Hip-hop and punk use different instruments for the creation of music. Hip-hop uses synthesisers and drums, whereas punk style uses an electric guitar and a bass drum.
2. Hip hop and punk are made on social causes, but sometimes hip hop is not due to a cause, and punk is more violent.
3. Hip-hop was more popular in the U.S. in the starting, whereas punk gained popularity in the U.K. and Australia along with the U.S. at the same time.
4. Hip hop has a more upbeat style which is more eye-catchy due to the rhyme, wordplay, etc., whereas punk is more edgy and fast because the theme is more violent.
5. Hip hop starts with 4/4 beatings and covers rap, beatboxing, freestyling, etc., whereas punk artists wear very distant clothes that deviate from social norms.

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9gUoDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=hip+hop+and+punk&ots=iGoEzYzhoF&sig=18PuFQFCE95j6fbU7bTLgEUFVXc
2. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/421904/summary