Which demands more creativity? Rap or Rock.?

Question

Some people say that anyone can pretend to play a guitar and scream over a microphone. Others say that anyone can simply talk over a beat. These are both caricatures because rap and rock involve much more skill and creativity than simply screaming over a microphone or rhyming over a beat. As a listener of both, my impression is that rap demands more creativity in the studio but rock demands more skill on stage. What do others think about it?

Please I would appreciate answers from people who like both types of music, not ignorant people who say things like "rock is gay" or "rap isn't music". I know for a fact that both have crappy songs (which are the majority) but both also produce some awesome songs.

Gighause, a lot of rap songs (though not mainstream) put plenty effort into background music. That's partly what I meant when I said rap probably demands more creativity in studio.

Metallic, that's a version of rap which is the one played mainstream nowadays. I agree it sounds simplistic but it's just a stupid version.

Answer 1

While the styles are different they both go through the same kind of creative process. We know that the two styles work together, (Public Enemy and Anthrax proved it years ago!) I admit I used to hate rap with a passion even though I didn't really listen to it. A friend of mine Missy (She was rapping in the eighties.) told me I should really give it a shot so I did and there is alot of really good stuff out there. (I admit I was wrong!)

While rock relies more on actually using instruments and playing, finding and combinding samples can actually be a challenge as well. Or finding a sample and adding a live musician. Both have their own unique challenges.

I disagree that rap takes more creativity in the studio. There are plenty of metal and rock songs that are creatively amazing. (Hellstar, the Nosferatu album combined classically inspired metal along with movie samples to tell the story of Dracula.) There are just as many straight forward rap tunes as metal (Someone comes up with a cool beat and the next five guys that put out an album use the same one. I've noticed that happens a lot in rap same with metal. Someone comes out with a unique sound and the next five bands that get signed have jumped on the band wagon.). I'll also disagree about live performances as well because when you play live you have to maintain a certain level of energy between you and the audience or you're screwed and people will think you suck live.

Creatively and performance wise I'd say they have more in common that people realize. Both go through the same proccesses to get the music out there and both go through the same live as well. It's funny how two different genre's can have everything in common.

Like you said there's good and bad in each. I really think the thing people need to get over is the fact that good music is good music and is open for everyone to hear no matter what it is.

Answer 2

Strictly speaking, neither rap nor rock require or illicit creativity.

Creativity is defined as making something that is new and is recognized as new by the vast majority of people who encounter it, and the new thing has to serve a specific purpose. This definition means there are very few creative people and that the word creative has to be used sparingly. Jackson Pollack, Dave Brubeck, Curt Vonnegut are creative, they create things that have not been seen or heard or done before.

Innovation, on the other hand, is defined as utilizing something that previously existed in a new or novel way. Most of what we see in the would today is innovation. That doesn't mean that innovation is less important, or less amazing.

I would suggest that it is easier to be innovative with respect to rap because the alternative, rock, has such a limited musical vocabulary that it is too easy to fall into cliche.

Answer 3

Depends on your definition of creativity. Rap is more dependent on verbal ingenuity and linguistic artistry, and if you consider that to be more "creative," that's your field. Rock, at least good rock, requires more musical skill. Rock lyrics tend to be repetetive and sentimental, but artists cover for that by playing their instruments in new and inventive ways.

As you point out, the majority of both forms is crappy. There are a lot of rappers who think that busting a lame rhyme about their bling makes them authentic. And there are a lot of rockers who have ten thousand ways to play the same three chords while hollering. But when either form is done WELL, the form demands its own unique mode of artistry that taxes the creative mind in a distinct and singular way.

Answer 4

Rock. With rap, whilst a lot of creativity is needed to make your "song" successful and keep the audience happy/interested, with rock you still have to come up with your lyrics that make sense and not just rhyme, think of the different ways the instruments mesh together and what musical notes/keys are meant to be used on what instrument to keep them all in harmony. Then not only that, there are sooooo many different genres of rock that you have to work out which one you fall into, then actually pull the image off.
I find with rap that you find a lot of songs have lyrically happy themes with a down/depressed tune in the background, or the rhymes are depressive but the beat is an upbeat.
Basically Rock requires more creativity

Answer 5

In rock you have to play instruments and sing the production of a rock song demands a knowledge of musical theory, whereas rap seems mostly to be sampling old songs and talking over them they're both genres with their own merit but personally i think that rock demands more creativity and expertise.

Answer 6

Rock-it is way hardeer to learn how to play a guitar and other instruments.Rapping also takes some skill,like if you have seen Kanye West flow on wild n' out,I could never flow that well.But both can be done without any creativity,look at all the rappers who come out with songs talking about their rims,jewelry,etc,but then you also have all the "emo" bands who copy eachothes sounds.truthfully,I prefer rock over over rap,but I also prefer underground hip-hop over mainstream rap.most underground hip-hop songs have depth and meaning to them,music is best when is innovative,experimental and completely real.

Answer 7

I don't think you can say that either 'demand' more creativity. As you say, both genres produce mostly rubbish but some incredible music. Creativity can be brought to anything and creative, imaginative minds can even make good pop (!) Creativity is that imagination and playfulness and ability to reinterpret words/chords/melody/intonation that the music industry saps but (sadly) few individuals bring to whatever style of music they choose to make.

Answer 8

rap is more on the lyrics side skills. so definitely "rap music" is a skills related to verbal functions. on the other hand "rock music" is more on the instrumental skills. riffs and other bang bashing instruments with the rhythm on it.
"Improvise" RAP= Words
"Improvise" ROCK= Guitar Skills and stuff

Answer 9

definitely rock......
rap is just like "winging" it.....