What Are Hip-Hop’s Favorite Anime? | Genius News

Genius
28 Feb 201904:29

TLDRAnime and hip-hop share a strong bond, with rappers frequently referencing popular series in their lyrics. Notable mentions include Naruto, Akira, Death Note, and Attack on Titan. Rappers like Father and Logic have shown love for these animes, drawing parallels between their themes and the hip-hop culture. The influence of anime in music videos and the overall aesthetic of the genre is undeniable, showcasing a unique blend of storytelling and artistic expression.

Takeaways

  • 🎵 Rappers and hip-hop artists have a strong affinity for anime, often referencing it in their music videos and lyrics.
  • 📈 'Dragon Ball Z' has been a frequent reference in lyrics, but other anime series are also prominently featured.
  • 🥋 'Naruto' and 'Naruto Shippuden' are favored for their storytelling and portrayal of a young ninja's journey.
  • 🗡️ Atlanta MC Father draws parallels between ninja teams in 'Naruto' and real-life gangs.
  • 💥 'Akira', a dystopian film from the 80s, has had a significant impact on hip-hop culture, with artists like Kanye West and Logic citing it as influential.
  • 🎶 Kanye West pays homage to 'Akira' in the music video for his Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit, 'Stronger'.
  • 📝 'Death Note' is another popular series among rappers, with the protagonist's power to kill with a notebook being a notable theme.
  • 🎭 'Attack on Titan', 'Trigun', and 'Inuyasha' also make appearances in lyrics, showcasing the breadth of anime's influence.
  • 🌟 Anime references in hip-hop are not limited to the series mentioned, with artists and fans continually discovering and incorporating new influences.
  • 📢 The community is encouraged to share additional anime references in hip-hop through comments and discussions.

Q & A

  • What is the relationship between hip-hop and anime as mentioned in the script?

    -The script highlights the strong connection between hip-hop and anime, indicating that rappers often reference anime in their music videos and lyrics. This connection is not new, as evidenced by the frequent mentions of Dragon Ball Z in earlier years.

  • Which anime series is mentioned as a favorite among rappers and why?

    -Naruto and its successor, Naruto Shippuden, are mentioned as favorites. They tell the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young orphan aiming to become the best ninja. Rappers appreciate the themes of perseverance and the ninja code, which they relate to their own experiences and 'gang' culture.

  • What specific aspect of the Naruto series do rappers often reference in their lyrics?

    -Rappers often reference the villains in the Naruto series, indicating a fascination with the complex characters and their narratives.

  • How does the script describe the influence of the dystopian film 'Akira' on hip-hop culture?

    -The script describes 'Akira' as a major influence on hip-hop culture, with artists like Kanye West citing the film as impactful and even incorporating a homage to a scene from 'Akira' in his music video for the hit song 'Stronger'.

  • What is the significance of the red motorcycle in the script?

    -The red motorcycle is a notable symbol from the film 'Akira', which has been referenced in lyrics by rappers such as Logic, indicating the film's lasting impact on hip-hop culture.

  • How does the script describe the premise of the anime series 'Death Note'?

    -The script describes 'Death Note' as a series where the protagonist, Light, receives a notebook that allows him to kill people by writing their names in it. This concept has been referenced by rappers, with Little Peep even listing it as one of his top three anime series.

  • Which anime series is mentioned to have references in lyrics despite having fewer overall mentions?

    -Attack on Titan is mentioned as a series with fewer overall references but still notable mentions in lyrics. It's about Titans, giant human-like creatures that seek to devour humanity.

  • What is the main character of the anime series 'Trigun' known for?

    -The main character of 'Trigun', Vash the Stampede, is known for his distinctive style and abilities, which have earned the series a few mentions in hip-hop lyrics.

  • How does the script relate the anime 'Inuyasha' to hip-hop?

    -The script relates 'Inuyasha' to hip-hop through lyrics that reference the series, indicating that the storyline and characters have resonated with some rappers and their experiences.

  • What call to action does the script make to its viewers?

    -The script encourages viewers to share in the comments any other anime series that they believe should be included in the discussion, promoting further engagement and exploration of the connection between hip-hop and anime.

  • Who is the presenter of the Genius News piece mentioned in the script?

    -The presenter of the Genius News piece is Jacques Moreau, who provides insights into the influence of anime on hip-hop music.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Rappers' Love for Anime 🎶

This paragraph discusses the strong connection between the anime culture and hip-hop music. It highlights how anime, especially series like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Naruto Shippuden, are frequently referenced in rap lyrics. The paragraph also mentions how Atlanta MC Father draws parallels between ninja teams in Naruto and real-life gangs. Additionally, it covers other anime influences on hip-hop, such as the dystopian film Akira, which Kanye West has cited as a major influence, and how Maryland rapper Logic revisited Akira to gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance. The paragraph concludes with mentions of other series like Death Note, Attack on Titan, and Trigun, and invites viewers to comment on additional anime series that should be included.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Anime

Anime is a style of animation originating from Japan that has become popular worldwide. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as it explores how anime has influenced and been referenced in the hip-hop culture.

💡Rappers

Rappers are individuals who perform hip-hop music, typically characterized by rhythmic speech performed over a musical backdrop. The video script discusses the connection between rappers and their love for anime.

💡Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is a popular Japanese anime series that has been frequently mentioned in hip-hop lyrics. It is used in the script to illustrate the early recognition of anime's influence in the genre.

💡Naruto

Naruto is a Japanese manga and anime series that tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with dreams of becoming the strongest ninja. The script highlights its impact on hip-hop, with rappers referencing both the protagonist and the villains from the series.

💡Akira

Akira is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic anime film from the late 1980s. It is mentioned in the script as a significant influence on some artists, with Kanye West paying homage to it in his music video for 'Stronger'.

💡Death Note

Death Note is a psychological thriller anime series where the protagonist, Light Yagami, receives a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. The video script notes that the late rapper Lil Peep listed it among his top three favorite animes.

💡Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is an anime series featuring giant humanoid creatures known as Titans that prey on humanity. The script mentions references to the main character, Eren Yeager, and his ally, Captain Levi, in hip-hop lyrics.

💡Trigun

Trigun is a space Western anime series that features the character Vash the Stampede. The script briefly mentions the series and its main character as part of the broader discussion on anime's presence in hip-hop.

💡Inuyasha

Inuyasha is a Japanese anime series that follows a young woman's journey back in time to feudal Japan, where she aids a half-demon named Inuyasha. The script cites the series as an example of how anime characters are referenced in hip-hop.

💡Anime References in Lyrics

Anime references in lyrics are instances where hip-hop artists incorporate elements or characters from anime into their songs. The video script provides examples of how specific animes and their characters are mentioned in the lyrics, showcasing the genre's influence on hip-hop.

💡Hip-Hop Culture

Hip-hop culture is a subculture that encompasses various elements, including rap music, dance, and graffiti, among others. The video script discusses how anime has become an integral part of this culture, with numerous examples of its integration into music and artistry.

Highlights

Rappers love anime, with references appearing frequently in their music videos and lyrics.

Dragon Ball Z has been notably mentioned in lyrics, showcasing the influence of anime on hip-hop culture.

Naruto and its successor, Naruto Shippuden, are favored anime series in hip-hop, telling the story of Naruto Uzumaki's journey to become the best ninja.

Atlanta MC Father draws a parallel between ninja teams in Naruto and real-life gangs, emphasizing the cultural impact of the series.

Akita, an 80s dystopian film, has had a significant influence on artists like Kanye West, who paid homage to it in his music video for 'Stronger'.

Rapper Logic revisits Akira, reflecting on how it resonated with him in his youth and its lasting impact on his career.

Death Note, a series about a notebook that allows the protagonist to kill, is another anime frequently referenced in hip-hop lyrics.

Late rapper Lil Peep listed Death Note as one of his top three anime, highlighting the personal connection artists can have with these series.

Attack on Titan, featuring giant human-like creatures called Titans, also finds its way into hip-hop lyrics, with references to the main character Eren Yeager.

Space Western series and its main character Vash the Stampede have earned a few mentions in the hip-hop world, showcasing diverse anime influences.

Inuyasha, a series set in Japan's feudal period, is also referenced, with artists likening themselves to the half-demon protagonist.

Anime references in hip-hop are not limited to the series mentioned, with artists continually drawing inspiration from a variety of sources.

The Genius News article explores the intersection of hip-hop and anime, providing insights into the cultural significance of these references.

Anime and hip-hop share a symbiotic relationship, with each genre influencing and inspiring the other in unique ways.

The article encourages readers to engage with the content and suggest other anime series that have influenced hip-hop.

Jacques Moreau of Genius News brings the knowledge and understanding behind the music, connecting the dots between anime and hip-hop.