FSD Feature: Fatboi Fresh’s Five Elements Of Rap

Words by Fatboi Fresh (@BigWizIzDead)

Two years ago, Mikkey Halsted asked me if I knew what the five elements of hip hop were, and I was immediately embarrassed by my lack of knowledge of the five pillars. I mean, it was after all, the thing that I’ve practically based the last 11 years of my life around. After being enlightened on the five elements via Wikipedia, I was somewhat comforted by the fact that I participated in every element as a child, without even knowing they existed.

The other day, I sat in my garden apartment on the westside, and I asked myself “Do people even give a shit about the five elements of hip-hop anymore?” (FYI, I purposely haven’t listed the elements because I want you to do some research and learn something today — it will be good for you, trust me.) However, for those of us who already know what the five elements of hip hop are, I have a question for you: are these elements still in play? I personally don’t think so, because out of all of the music that is socially accepted, about 2% would actually be considered hip hop. Fact is, the majority of this shit is rap. Rap music, although similar to hip hop, isn’t entirely the same thing — otherwise it would involve the elements, right?

With that in mind, I thought it would be cool to construct what I believe the five elements of rap should be. Though I’m sure you could do better, humor me for a minute…

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