hip-hop music that is created by self-professed
nerds and to the subculture that has grown out of
that style of music. The subject matter covered in
Nerdcore Hip-Hop is diverse but generally songs
focus on interests that in the past, mainstream
America would consider geeky such as video
games, computer programming, cult films, the
internet, anime, comic books and science and
technology. The predominant theme behind the
Nerdcore movement is one of Nerd pride and
empowerment. It seems likely that as the industrial
age gives way to the coming Information age the
message behind Nerdcore will grow to reflect the
dominant cultural attitude towards the intellectual
and imaginative individuals known as nerds. In the
past geeks and nerds were the exception to the rule
but today most Americans under 30 have at least
interests become more socially acceptable nerds are becoming serious contributors
to, and consumers of modern pop culture. As such, the stigma that has long been
associated with nerdy pursuits is falling away and it is being replaced by a new
feeling of nerd acceptance. This new found respect for nerd culture has created an
environment in which geeks and nerds felt free enough to express themselves in the
manner of their choosing; in this case, Hip Hop.
summed up in an article from the October
2005 issue of XXL magazine: “For all of Hip-
Hop’s mainstream success in bum-rushing
mainstream American culture, it’s still an
inspiration to those on the outmost fringes of
society. Revolutionaries, criminals, misfits
and the otherwise voiceless have long found
rap a potent medium of expression. The
latest such group to use Hip-Hop as a means
of communication may also be one of the
least likely - computer nerds.”
fulfilled to qualify an artist as Nerdcore is so
precise that there may be fewer than 30
individuals or groups that can be
considered part of the genre. Thanks to the
rise in quality and decrease in price of
pro-sumer grade, home-recording and
editing software, many fans of nerdcore now
record and post tracks of their own on the
internet. For most this is a one time musical
experiment but for a few their new hobby will
evolve into a more serious passion for
Hip-Hop. It seems that the many of the best
known artists in the genre began in just this
fashion.
must be met to define an artist as Nerdcore:
Content- Nerdcore artists cover many topics but for the most part their
work usually focuses on different aspects of geek life.
Acceptance- A nerdcore rapper accepts the fact that they are a geek or
nerd and makes no apologies for it.
Nerd Pride- The boasting that is found in mainstream hip-hop exists in
Nerdcore Hip-Hop as well. “Fronting” in Nerdcore is in part satire of
traditional hip-hop but is also a sincere effort to emulate the genre.
Technology- Nerdcore hip hop is created using tools available to
consumers and beats are typically homemade.
Distribution- Nerdcore albums cannot be found in record stores. Most
of the music is made available for download on-line. Some Nerdcore
rappers have begun to sell CDs of their work but these sales are usually
done via the Internet.