Rappers would use tempo, rhyme, and improvisation to rap solo or engage in "battles." This musical style gradually became a phenomenon, evolving into a grassroots social movement amongst the African-American community, eventually becoming popular around the world in the 1980s. Artists that best represent this form include Afrika Bambaataa, 2Pac, DJ Krush, and Eminem.
饒舌歌手會用快速、押韻、甚至即興的說唱技巧，來進行內心獨白或彼此「對嗆」，這種音樂現象，逐漸形成一股來自草根社區的黑人文化運動，並在 1980 年代擴散全球，代表藝人包括 Afrika Bambaataa、2PAC、DJ Krush，及走紅全球的阿姆（Eminem）等。