How the triplet flow took over rap

Summary

The script explores the prevalence of triplets in rap music, a rhythmic pattern that's been a staple since the genre's inception. It traces the rise of the 'Migos Flow' or 'Versace Flow', highlighting Migos' hit 'Versace' and Drake's influence. The discussion delves into triplets' roots in African rhythms and their evolution through artists like Public Enemy and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The script also examines how the triplet-driven flow became synonymous with trap music, influencing mainstream artists and becoming a signature style despite its complexity and the criticism of uniformity in rap.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The 'Migos Flow' or 'Versace Flow' is a rap style characterized by rapid triplet rhythms that have become prevalent in mainstream music.
• 🔄 The triplet rhythm, dividing a beat into three notes, is a musical principle that has been around for a long time and is foundational to many cultures where hip hop originated.
• 🌟 Migos' song 'Versace' popularized the triplet flow, with Drake's freestyle over it further amplifying its impact.
• 👵 The catchy hook of 'Versace' was so influential that it transcended typical listeners, even appealing to those who didn't understand the lyrics.
• 📈 The triplet flow gained prominence due to a combination of factors, including its roots in African rhythms and the evolution of hip hop beats.
• 🎶 Examples of early triplet usage in rap can be traced back to songs like Public Enemy's 'Bring the Noise' and The Dismasters' 'Small Time Hustler'.
• 📉 While triplets were present during the east coast/west coast hip hop era, they did not define the style of artists from those regions.
• 🎧 The mid-90s saw artists like Krayzie Bone and Three 6 Mafia incorporating triplets into their raps, manipulating beats in a new way.
• 🎼 The structure of beats, particularly the spacing allowed by less frequent snare drums, provided the space for triplets to stand out and become famous.
• 🌐 The rise of southern hip hop and trap music in the mid-2000s brought the triplet sound to the mainstream, making it a staple in the genre.
• 🚀 The triplet flow has been used by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper to add dramatic energy to their music, showing its versatility and power as a rhythmic tool.

Q & A

What is the 'Migos Flow' or 'Versace Flow' in rap music?

The 'Migos Flow' or 'Versace Flow' refers to a rapid fire style of rapping that has become prominent in mainstream music, characterized by the use of triplets in the rhythm.

What is a triplet in musical terms?

A triplet in music is a group of three notes to be played in the time normally allotted to two or four notes, creating a distinctive rhythmic pattern.

How has the triplet pattern been historically significant in music?

Triplets have been a foundational rhythm in many cultures, particularly African rhythms, and have been present in music for as long as the equator has been known.

What was the impact of Migos' song 'Versace' on the popularity of the triplet flow?

The song 'Versace' by Migos, particularly after Drake's freestyle over it, blew up and made the sound and rhythmic feel of triplets very catchy, contributing to its widespread adoption.

How do triplets work in rap music?

In rap music, triplets are used to manipulate the beat by dividing it into three parts instead of the usual two or four, creating a faster-paced and more complex rhythm.

What are some early examples of triplet usage in rap music?

Public Enemy's 'Bring the Noise' and The Dismasters' 'Small Time Hustler' from 1987 are pointed to as some of the earliest examples of triplet usage in rap.

How did the triplet flow evolve in the southern hip hop scene?

Southern hip hop artists like Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony began to use triplets extensively in the 90s, which later became a defining characteristic of the trap music sound.

What is the role of the beat structure in allowing triplets to stand out in rap music?

The beat structure, particularly a stretched-out beat with less frequent snare drums, provides space for rappers to naturally incorporate triplets and make them more prominent.

How did trap music contribute to the popularity of triplets?

Trap music, with its foundation of a stretched-out beat, deep 808 kick drums, and rapid fire hi-hats often in triplet patterns, provided an ideal backdrop for the triplet flow to thrive.

Why are triplets considered complex in rap music?

Triplets challenge the traditional rhythms and counts in music, allowing rappers to rev up the energy of a song almost instantly and create a dramatic effect.

How have artists outside of the southern rap scene incorporated triplets into their music?

Artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper have used triplets to create dramatic transitions and moments of high energy in their music, demonstrating the widespread influence of the triplet flow.