Cleveland Rap Spotlight: Hip Hop At 50
Cleveland hip hop - best characterized by its rapid-fire delivery and melodic stylings - began to receive national popularity in the early-1990s.
The music of the Cleveland hip hop scene can be best characterized by its rapid-fire delivery and melodic stylings. Cleveland hip hop began to receive national popularity in the early-1990s with its first platinum-selling rapper, M.C. Brains. Brains' pop, reggae, R&B crossover stylings can be heard in the melodic rap of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, who took the style and mixed it with Chopper rap and G-Funk synths.
M.C. Brains, "Oochie Coochie"
Brains' 1992 hit single "Oochie Coochie" was a crossover hit that peaked at Number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number One on the Hot Rap Singles chart. Signed to Motown records by New Edition’s Michael Bivins, M.C. Brains took the hip hop scene by storm.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony by Photographer B+Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony came from the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland in 1991. Rapper Eazy-E of N.W.A. signed Bone Thugs to his Ruthless Records label in 1994. Their debut EP Creepin on ah Come Up yielded the hit single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone."
"Thuggish Ruggish Bone" video (1994) by Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyRock & Roll Hall of Fame
"Thuggish Ruggish Bone" video
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony official video for "Thuggish Ruggish Bone."
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony advertisement
In 1995, Bone Thugs released E. 1999 Eternal, which included "Tha Crossroads," a tribute to recently deceased Eazy-E. "Tha Crossroads" won a GRAMMY for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997. In 2023, Bone Thugs performed with LL COOL J’s 50th anniversary of hip hop tour.
In the 2000s, Kid Cudi fused Bone Thugs' melodic rap with alternative rock, electronic, and psychedelic elements to create a new genre-bending sound, reminiscent of work by frequent collaborator Kanye West.
Kid Cudi postcard
Kid Cudi showed artistic talent early on and began rapping during high school in Cleveland. In 2008, he released his first mixtape, A Kid Called Cudi, which introduced his positive, psychedelic-space-themed style.
Kid Cudi postcard
His debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day, was released in 2009. The album includes the GRAMMY-nominated singles “Day ‘n’ Nite” and “Make Her Say.” His most recent studio album, Entergalactic (2022), was accompanied by an animated Netflix special of the same name.
"Day 'n' Nite" video (2009) by Kid CudiRock & Roll Hall of Fame
"Day 'n' Nite" video
Official music video for "Day 'n' Nite" performed by Kid Cudi.
Machine Gun Kelly cites Bone Thugs' influence on his rapid-fire delivery, while his crossover style has a punk rock edge with distorted guitars, anthemic choruses, and high-energy instrumentals. Both Kelly and Cudi's lyrics mine their personal experiences and mental health struggles; resonating with their fans.
Machine Gun Kelly Flask (c. 2014)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Machine Gun Kelly flask
Colson Baker discovered rap at age 11 and began writing his own bars. His family settled in Cleveland in the mid-2000s, and at Shaker Heights High School he earned the nickname "Machine Gun Kelly" for his rapid-fire delivery. He signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records in 2011.
"Invincible"
The single “Invincible” from MGK’s debut album Lace Up reached Number 8 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. Initially concerned the song was too commercial, he later had a change of heart. MGK is lauded for maintaining and nurturing his Cleveland roots.
"Invincible" video (2012) by Machine Gun KellyRock & Roll Hall of Fame
"Invincible" video
Music video by Machine Gun Kelly performing "Invincible" (explicit), featuring Ester Dean.
The Cleveland hip hop legacy continues in 2023 with artists like Doe Boy, Zelly Ocho, YSN Flow, YFL Kelvin, Ray Jr., and many more. As the sound continues to evolve, it is the city of Cleveland that connects it, branch to root.
Rock Hall EDU is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's online portal and resource guide for teachers and parents offering free lesson plans, artifact images, and materials, videos, playlists, and writing prompts all designed by Rock Hall Education staff.
Rock Hall EDU celebrates the sound and experience of youth culture across generations with Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary Collection. Use this collection to explore some of the top hip hop names over the style's first 50 years, and then go beyond Inductees and seek the newer sounds of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo. Kick back and keep things old-school, and investigate how scratching, playing a song's break, dynamic lyrics, and keen business sense contributed to hip hop's unique sound.
The Hip Hop At 50: Holla If Ya Hear Me exhibit opened at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on June 30, 2023.
