hip house
musical genre that mixes elements of house music and hip hop music
Hip house pulses with an infectious energy that merges the rhythmic cadences of hip-hop with the vibrant, uptempo beats of house music. You can feel it in the way the bass thumps through your chest, interlaced with playful samples and spirited vocals that invite you to dance. The texture is alive, with synthesizers weaving bright melodies over a driving groove, making it impossible not to move. It’s a genre that radiates joy, bringing together the streetwise flair of rap and the euphoric atmosphere of club culture.
Emerging in Chicago during the late 1980s, hip house was both a celebration and a reaction against the more subdued sounds of earlier electronic music. At its peak in the late '80s and early '90s, artists like Farley Jackmaster Funk with tracks like "Love Can't Turn Around," and the charismatic sensation of groups like Jomanda captured the essence of this genre’s spirit. Acts such as Kool Moe Dee also contributed to this sonic landscape, blending rapping styles with the infectious beats typical of house music. This period was marked by an exciting fusion where DJs and MCs united to create a new party vibe that thrived in dance clubs across America.
For newcomers eager to dive into hip house, start with "House Nation" by House Rhythm Committee for its classic groove that embodies the genre's essence. Follow it up with "Let’s Get Busy" by Kym Sims; her playful lyrics and catchy hooks are irresistibly danceable. You can’t miss "Free" by Ultra Naté either, which has remained a timeless anthem on dance floors everywhere. Finally, check out "Can You Feel It" by Mr. Fingers for a deeper dive into how these rhythms evolved. Once you’re hooked on hip house, don’t hesitate to explore related sounds like funky house or breakbeat to enhance your musical journey.
27 artists in the catalog.
Guides for hip house artists
Top hip house albums
See essentialsAll hip house artists
Pitbull
Latin hip-hop, Latin pop
will.i.am
Latin music, contemporary R&B
Flo Rida
EDM trap music, Miami bass
m-flo
J-pop, hip-hop
Jul
hip-hop
Dizzee Rascal
UK garage, bassline
Kid Cudi
alternative hip-hop, alternative rock
Happy Mondays
alternative dance, alternative rock
Far East Movement
electro hop, hip-hop
Azealia Banks
dance-pop, hip-hop
LMFAO
dance music, dance-pop
Club Dogo
hardcore hip-hop, pop rap
Redfoo
electronic dance music, electropop
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
East Coast hip-hop, disco
Jake La Furia
electro house, hip-hop
Timati
breakcore, contemporary R&B
About hip house
What is hip house?
musical genre that mixes elements of house music and hip hop music
Where should I start with hip house?
Start with "Slay-Z" by Azealia Banks. It captures what makes hip house worth exploring.
What are the best hip house albums?
The hip house albums worth hearing first: "Slay-Z" by Azealia Banks, "Fantasea" by Azealia Banks, "Globalization" by Pitbull, "Planet Pit" by Pitbull and "El Mariel" by Pitbull.
How many hip house artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 27 hip house artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.