Replicant Rap

I have a new word to add to the lexicon. I already coined (sort of) Swagger Hop. Now I give you Replicant Rap – The evolution of the term ringtone rap.

Replicant Rap – defined as Hip-Hop music designed to serve a specific (usually simple) purpose over a short period of time. Also used for music and artists designed to capitalize on fast moving trends. Replicant rappers are disposable by nature. One marginal hit is all that is expected. These rappers are not expected to produce a robust catalog with far reaching earning potential. Many do not record a full album. The one song delivers the anticipated return via ringtone, digital sales or the amorphous internet buzz.

Opposite: tent pole

The word is taken from Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic film, Blade Runner.
From wikipedia: The film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in November 2019 in which genetically manufactured beings called replicants – visually indistinguishable from adult humans – are used for dangerous and degrading work… Replicants have a four-year lifespan as a failsafe to prevent them from developing emotions and desire for independence.
The film centers around Harrison Ford as a Blade Runner, essentially a police officer specializing in tracking and killing rogue replicants who have exceeded their life spans.

The words ‘Where Are They Now’ are often used in conjunction with Replicant rappers.

Examples: MIMS, Bonecrusher, Pop The Brown Hornet, Slimm Calhoun, Lil Eazy E, The Pack, Kid Sister, Oaktown 357, Junior Mafia, Twinz, Yaggfu Front.

Note: Replicant Rappers are not all devoid of talent. Many actually are extremely talented. But just as the fictional replicants from Blade Runner they are not built to last. Many are similar to Rutger Hauer’s character in Blade Runner in that they resent their temporary role and life span. Some respond to the reality of their short life violently and lash out against their creators and ultimately refuse to die.

Some are like Harrison Ford or Sean Young’s character and are so well designed that they do not know they are replicants themselves. Their ignorance is so grand that their rhetoric and actions can be as violent as a blade runner. Never realizing they are hastening their own demise.
The classic example of this was Craig Mack. Mack burst on the scene railing against flash in the pan rappers with ‘Flava In Ya Ear.” Little did he know he was one of them.

Now some rappers we may think are replicants but are actually quite human.
Example: Consequence. When “Day Job” came out people predicted the demise of the Cons. The best he could do was Kanye’s ghostwriter. Fast forward to now and Cons is still here. Not quite the star yet but a replicant he is clearly not.

The blogosphere is full of blade runners like Byron Crawford who are more than happy to terminate a suspected replicant rapper on sight.

More on this later. I like this idea…