Audio By Carbonatix
In trying to determine our silly little rap names, we willfully neglected the fact that there is, indeed, an art and a science to the act — so much so that the duo behind Pop Chart Lab created a vivid, colorful Taxonomy of Rap Names for our viewing pleasure.
One part subway map, one part flowchart (pun intended?), the taxonomy breaks it all down by connecting artist names via different categories such as “alphanumeric,” “crime,” “wordplay” and “audacious misspelling.” For example, The Fat Boys are both “fat” and “boys,” while Ice-T is “gustatory” and involves “letters.”
It’s remarkable the amount
of names on the chart, not to mention the fact that they can all
coalesce into a somewhat organized semblance, given the randomness and
vast array of hip hop/rap names out there right now. For what it’s
worth, I think the DJ for Aziz Ansari’s fictional Raaaaaaaandy comic — DJ Ol’ Youngin’.
The chart is available for purchase via Pop Chart Lab for $20. Check out the entire Taxonomy of Rap Names at World Famous Design Junkies.
This year, make your gift count –
Invest in local news that matters.
Our work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $30,000 goal!
