Hip house, a genre that blends elements of hip-hop and house music, emerged in the late ’80s and early ’90s, leaving a significant mark on the dance music scene. The fusion of rap verses with house beats created a vibrant and energetic sound that quickly became popular in clubs, and it continues to influence artists today. This genre is characterized by its catchy, infectious rhythms, deep basslines, and a fusion of rap lyrics over uplifting and danceable house music. Over the years, various artists have helped to define and shape hip house, bringing it into the mainstream and giving it lasting appeal. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable hip house artists and the songs that solidified their influence in the genre.
8 Influential Hip House Artists You Should Know
1. Crystal Waters – “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)”
Released in 1991, Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” is an iconic example of early hip house music. The track blends house music’s deep bass and piano riffs with Waters’ soulful vocals and a rap-like delivery in the verses. The catchy hook, “She’s homeless,” resonated with listeners, creating an anthem for the underprivileged while also becoming a dancefloor hit. Crystal Waters’ ability to seamlessly blend spoken word with a funky house groove made this song a timeless classic, and it remains a staple of hip house music even today.
2. Snap! – “The Power”
Snap! was a German Eurodance group that gained worldwide success in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and “The Power” is one of their most well-known tracks. With its driving house beats and rap-style verses, the track perfectly captures the essence of hip house. The powerful vocal delivery and energetic beat make it a club anthem, and the song’s catchphrase “I’ve got the power” became a global sensation. Snap!’s unique blend of hip-hop vocals, house music, and dance beats made “The Power” a defining moment in the genre’s history.
3. Fast Eddie – “Yo Yo Get Funky”
Fast Eddie’s “Yo Yo Get Funky” is a classic track from the early days of hip house. Released in 1989, this track is an energetic fusion of rap and house that immediately became a hit in the Chicago house scene. Fast Eddie’s rapid-fire verses combine seamlessly with the upbeat, infectious rhythms of house music, creating a dance anthem that still gets played in clubs today. The track exemplifies the high-energy, party-ready vibe of hip house, where the dancefloor and rap culture collide in an irresistible groove.
4. The Bucketheads – “The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)”
Produced by Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, The Bucketheads’ “The Bomb!” is one of the most iconic house tracks from the ’90s. While it’s technically a house track, it features a strong hip-hop influence in its vocal samples and production. The track samples Chicago’s classic house beats while layering in a catchy rap-style vocal delivery. The song’s infectious groove and vibrant energy made it a hit on dancefloors across the globe. “The Bomb!” became a definitive example of the blending of hip-hop’s rhythmic flow with house music’s upbeat basslines.
5. KRS-One – “Sound of da Police” (DJ Premier Remix)
While KRS-One is best known for his contributions to hip-hop, his remix of “Sound of da Police” by DJ Premier features a compelling blend of hip-hop and house elements. Released in 1993, this version of the track was reworked to fit the booming house beats of the early ’90s while maintaining the rap-driven structure of KRS-One’s original. The track’s iconic call and response and its pointed social commentary were paired with a danceable beat, demonstrating how hip-hop’s messages could be elevated through the energy of house music. The remix has since become a beloved example of hip house’s ability to carry important messages while getting people on their feet.
6. M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy – “Another Night”
Known for their Eurodance hits, M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy achieved success with “Another Night,” a track that blends house music with rap lyrics in a way that is quintessentially hip house. The song features an upbeat, infectious house melody with catchy raps and a memorable chorus. The smooth transitions between vocal sections and instrumental breaks keep the track moving, making it a favorite on the dancefloor. “Another Night” is one of the best examples of Eurodance’s cross-pollination with hip house, combining rap lyrics with a house-inspired backing that is both catchy and uplifting.
7. Daft Punk – “Da Funk”
Though Daft Punk is known primarily for their work in house and electronic music, their track “Da Funk” is often cited as an early example of how house music can incorporate hip-hop influences. The track’s catchy beats, funky basslines, and rhythmic flow make it a great example of how instrumental house music can be paired with a more rap-like vocal cadence. While “Da Funk” doesn’t feature traditional rap verses, its use of rhythmic, vocal-style delivery helped to solidify Daft Punk’s influence on the genre and expand the boundaries of what hip-house could be.
8. George Morel – “Let’s Groove”
George Morel’s “Let’s Groove” is another excellent example of hip house in its purest form. Released in the early ’90s, the track features Morel’s smooth and rhythmic vocal delivery, which is an element commonly found in hip-house music. The upbeat and bouncy house beats combine perfectly with his vocal flow, creating a track that’s both smooth and funky. “Let’s Groove” helped establish Morel as a mainstay in the house music scene, and it remains a popular track for hip-house lovers worldwide.
See Also: Why Do People Think Hip-Hop Is Not Music?
Conclusion
The 2000s and 1990s marked a turning point for both house music and hip-hop, and the blending of these two genres in the form of hip house helped to shape the sound of contemporary dance music. Artists like Crystal Waters, Snap!, Fast Eddie, and others took risks, blending upbeat house rhythms with rap’s rhythmic delivery, creating tracks that could move both the body and the mind. The songs and artists featured in this article represent the most influential contributions to the hip house genre, helping it evolve and stay relevant across the decades. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of house music or hip-hop, the fusion of both in the form of hip house remains a vital part of music history, and its impact continues to be felt today.
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