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
The Outhere Brothers
Carlprit
electronic dance music, hip-hop
Raptori
comedy music, hip-hop
L'One
contemporary R&B, hip-hop
Tyree Cooper
electronic music, hip-hop
Cobrah
deconstructed club, electropop
B.G., the Prince of Rap
Eurodance, dance music
Kidz in Space
Daisy Syron Russell
2-step garage, UK funky
pzk
Kristina Korban
dance music, electronic dance music
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.