Rap opera
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A rap opera or hip-hopera is a series of hip hop songs in the form of an opera, inspired by the concept of rock opera.
Like its predecessor, rap opera tells a story through consecutive pieces of music involving the same character or characters. Rap opera may be a purely auditory experience, or it may be associated with a musical, comic book, or other art form. It is a relatively young, spontaneous form, performed more by amateurs and non-profit groups than by professional rappers.
R&B singer R. Kelly claims he coined the term "hip-hopera" for his "Trapped in the Closet" series of songs, the first of which debuted in 2005. However, in 2001, MTV debuted a telefilm entitled Carmen: A Hip Hopera, directed by Robert Townsend and starring Beyoncé Knowles and Mehki Phifer. Volume 10 also released an album called Hip-Hopera in 1994.
[edit] Examples
- R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet series
- Public Enemy's He Got Game
- Carmen: A Hip Hopera
- Prince Paul's A Prince Among Thieves
- Deltron 3030
- Sable and Batalion's J.O.B., the Hip-Hopera
- Rapper and producer Dr. Dre has stated that his third album, Detox, may be a rap opera.
- Lil Dabby's debut, 'As Dabby As I Wanna Be' is believed to be a hip-hopera.
- Michael Tippett's New Year uses rap in a number of scenes.
- Ugly Duckling's Taste the Secret
- Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
- "Libera Me From Hell" in the anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- Ciara's single "High Price" from her third album "Fantasy Ride"
