Top 10 Best Rap-Rock Artists
This list is all about the artists who figured out how to blend two styles that, on paper, shouldn't get along. But when done right? It's magic. You've got rap's swagger and lyrical fire crashing headfirst into rock's raw energy and livewire instrumentation. It's the kind of music that demands stage dives, broken microphones, and maybe a few broken rules too.These aren't just bands that occasionally tossed a rap verse over a guitar loop. These are artists who built their whole sound around the fusion, making albums that feel like a musical tug-of-war between street anthems and mosh pits. Some brought political rage, others brought party anthems, and a few somehow did both at once.
Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin... read more Linkin Park has people that are very talented. They actually care for their fans, not just their fans' money. They have a good beat, good singers, and great lyrics. They don't make songs just trying to say drugs and alcohol are good. Their songs have good reasoning to them.
I have to say all these bands have a future in the rap-rock success game, BUT Linkin Park is already there to knock those pretenders back down to square one. No one replaces Linkin Park. They already burned down that bridge to their success. No one is a follower. They're just listeners.
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California, United States. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio album, American Tragedy, was released April 5, 2011. All of... read more Hollywood Undead are the pinnacle of rap-rock. Sure, Linkin Park were rap-rock, but they've moved on. As such, I believe Hollywood Undead should easily take the top spot. Even on their more melodic tracks like "Rain," they're able to blend rap into it seamlessly.
Standout tracks feature fast rapping and memorable choruses, like "California Dreaming," "Whatever It Takes," "Day of the Dead," "Hear Me Now," "Black Dahlia," "Undead," "Everywhere I Go," "Sell Your Soul," and "No. 5."
They're still reaching new heights, and their music is still fresh and amazing even a decade later.
Rage Against the Machine is a rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk. Rage Against the Machine belongs at the top of this list because:
1. RATM has been one of the most influential rap-rock bands of the '90s and today.
2. Their songs discuss heavy matters such as politics, racism, hypocrisy, withstanding oppression, ignorance, and unity, making their songs powerful tools for change.
3. The musicality and technicality of the band are incomparable.
Rage is number one.
I understand that Hollywood Undead has a great sound and is very pumping, but Rage started that and they had a very big message to put out, whereas Hollywood is just singing to be loud. You can't forget the awesome riffs from Tom and the unique voice of Zach.
The Beastie Boys were an American Rap/Rock group that was formed in 1981 by its three original members, Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch. They are the sole reason why white boys are welcomed into the hip-hop world! They never made a bad album, and each and every one of their songs is spontaneous and creative to the max!
Come on. How are they not in the top ten? Why aren't they in the top five? Come on, people!
Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The band consists of four animated members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs. Feel Good Inc, Clint Eastwood, and Dirty Harry are the best songs ever! They combine rock and rap nicely, and they don't curse every other word!
Demon Days was pure genius! They are amazing! Damon Albarn at his best!
Limp Bizkit is an American nu-metal/rap metal/rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1994. Their lineup consists of Fred Durst, Sam Rivers, John Otto, and Wes Borland. They're mostly known for their singles like Break Stuff, My Way, My Generation, Nookie, Eat You Alive, Rollin', and Take a... read more Limp Bizkit is exactly what you want if you want to be gangsta and punk at the same time.
Break Stuff, Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle), Hot Dog. Awesome beyond belief. Linkin Park definitely deserves numero uno, though.
I was there during this time and they rocked.
Payable on Death, also known as P.O.D., is a Christian nu metal band formed in 1992 and based in San Diego, California. P.O.D. aren't very popular, but their songs are great. They have songs about love, religion, and even politics. Nobody has to be a Christian to appreciate the songs, and they have some amazing singles.
My favorites are Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, and P.O.D. In my opinion, the disc Satellite is a classic from P.O.D. that includes a little bit of reggae.
Listen to Boom, Southtown, Goodbye for Now, and Alive. There are many more. No way bands like Hollywood Undead and Rage Against the Machine are better than this.
Robert James Ritchie Sr., known professionally as Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, musician, record producer, activist, minister and actor. He is rap, rock, country, and soul.
Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian alternative rock band that was formed in 1995. They have released eight albums. In addition, they have released two live albums and three remix albums. If you are a fan of Linkin Park, you'll probably like them. They also have some very thoughtful lyrics.
If you have never heard of them, then look them up NOW. They're amazing!
Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Formed in 1993, their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest.
The Newcomers
The Bloodhound Gang is an American rock and pop band currently consisting of Jimmy Pop (vocals, guitar), "Evil Jared" Hasselhoff (bass), Q-Ball (DJ, keyboards, synthesizers, producer), The Yin (percussion) and Daniel P. Carter (guitar) that formed in 1988... read more
Beck Hansen, known by stage name Beck, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is mostly known for his musical composition, as well as a palette of sonic genres.
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino American hip hop recording group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide. Why has no one commented on this great band that combines rap and rock?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.
The band is among the... read more
Give it away, give it away, give it away now!
Run-DMC was an American pioneering hip hop group consisting of Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay. They were formed in 1981 and disbanded in 2002 after Jam Master Jay was murdered. Do you people forget who started this? Run-D.M.C. "Rock Box." Know your history.
They are the original rap-rock artists.
Run-D.M.C. are the kings of this genre.
It's obvious Jonny5 actually cares about social justice and environmental awareness. His "D.A.R.E." verse from "Onomatopoeia" and "I.R.A.Q." rap prove he can write rhymes. Their live performances are always memorable. These guys deserve more for what they put in.
Really deep lyrics, great beats, and some generally pretty great raps. Five words: Listen to Fight with Tools.
Linkin Park and Fort Minor both have Mike Shinoda. So, no doubt they are going to be awesome! But, Fort Minor just killed it! They just released one album and are already at #9!
Dude, he released one album and it's gotta be a classic.
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop, horrorcore and rap rock duo consisting of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, that was formed in 1989 in Detroit... read more
Crazy Town is an American rap rock band, formed in 1995 by Bret Mazur and Seth Binzer. Crazy Town is best known for their 2000 hit single, "Butterfly," which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped their debut album, "The Gift of Game," sell over 1.5 million units... read more
Hed PE, also known as Planet Earth and stylized as (hed)p.e., is an American rap rock/rap metal/nu-metal band from Huntington Beach, California.
Primer 55 is an American nu-metal band from Louisville, Kentucky. The band's name originates from the combination of "Primer," meaning "something that's unfinished," and "55," which refers to Interstate 55, "the road that drugs run on to get to Chicago through Memphis."Nine Thou is one of the best songs in my opinion, but of course the best is Tonedeff's Velocity. But this is also amazing. You should listen.
Two songs like: (1) Nine Thou; (2) Shapeshifter.
Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo that is originally from Columbus, Ohio, who are best known for their songs "Stressed Out", "Heathens" and "Ride". Currently there are two members, Tyler Joseph (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, bass and guitar) and Josh Dun (drums and... read more This band deserves to be so much higher. Tyler Joseph has this innate ability to string words together beautifully. Not only that, he doesn't sing about sex or drugs. He sings about meaningful things, things that actually matter and help others get through their life.
I dunno which I like better, these guys or LP, but I like how both bands change up their style with each album. It makes for an interesting experience. The lyrics are way better with these guys, but LP has the memorable guitar riffs and focuses more on the instruments than the vocals.
FF5 (formerly known as Family Force 5, The Phamily, Ground Noise and The Brothers) is an American Christian rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in 2005 by brothers Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur", Joshua "Fatty", and Jacob "Crouton" Olds along with their two friends, Nathan Currin "Nadaddy"... read more
3OH!3 (pronounced "three oh three") is an American electronic music duo from Boulder, Colorado, made up of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte. They are best known for their single "DONTTRUSTME" from their album Want, which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second single, a remix of... read more They are just crazy awesome! Some of their songs are just too good, such as "Still Around," "Touching on My," "Follow Me Down," "We Are Young," and "Don't Trust Me." Just listen once.
Robert Matthew Van Winkle, known by his stage name, Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, actor and television host.
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh.