Flow: The Rhythmic Voice in Rap Music

Mitchell Ohriner's Flow: The Rhythmic Voice in Rap Music explores the expressive musical choices made by hip-hop artists, particularly the rhythm of the rapping voice known as flow. By combining computational music analysis and humanistic close reading, Ohriner theorizes flow and addresses theories of rhythm, meter, and groove in the unique ecology of rap music. The book includes case studies of Eminem, Black Thought, and Talib Kweli to demonstrate how flow can relate to text, other instrumental streams, and rap's persistent meter.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Hip-hop and rap music have emerged as dominant genres in popular music worldwide, serving as powerful platforms for activism and artistic expression. The field of hip-hop and rap music scholarship has also witnessed significant growth, yet it has largely overlooked the expressive musical choices made by hip-hop artists. One crucial aspect of hip-hop music is the rhythm of the rapping voice, known as flow. Flow presents unique theoretical and analytical challenges, as it combines elements of rhythm found in other forms of music with the rhythmic patterns of speech and poetry.

In his groundbreaking book, "Flow: The Rhythmic Voice in Rap Music," Mitchell Ohriner seeks to bridge the gap between computational music analysis and humanistic close reading to theorize flow. Through extensive analysis of large collections of verses and individual tracks, Ohriner explores the theories of rhythm, meter, and groove in the unique context of rap music. He employs a multidisciplinary approach, weaving between computational techniques and qualitative analysis, to provide a comprehensive understanding of flow.

In the second half of the book, Ohriner presents a series of case studies that illustrate how flow can be related to various aspects of hip-hop music. He examines the work of Eminem, Black Thought of The Roots, and Talib Kweli, highlighting how flow interacts with text, other instrumental streams, and the persistent meter of rap. By analyzing these artists' approaches, Ohriner demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of flow as a musical phenomenon.

While "Flow" primarily focuses on rap music, the methods introduced by Ohriner have broader applications beyond this genre. His approach can be valuable for other musical genres that feature the voice freely interacting with a more rigid metric framework. The book offers insights into the rhythmic choices made by hip-hop artists and provides a framework for analyzing and understanding the expressive potential of music.

In conclusion, "Flow: The Rhythmic Voice in Rap Music" by Mitchell Ohriner is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to the field of hip-hop and rap music scholarship. By exploring the rhythm of the rapping voice through a multidisciplinary lens, Ohriner provides a comprehensive understanding of flow and its role in hip-hop music. The book's case studies and theoretical framework offer valuable insights into the expressive choices made by hip-hop artists and have the potential to be applied to other musical genres as well. As hip-hop and rap continue to evolve and influence global culture, this book will remain a valuable resource for scholars and music enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190670412