Uncharted Progress: A Musical Analysis of the Elements and Evolution of Rap

This research analyzes rap music from the earliest recordings to present day from a purely musical perspective, focusing on rhythm, rhyme, phrasing, and their interactions. Using these aspects of analysis, the paper reveals patterns, techniques, and styles rappers use, whether they are conscious of it or not. By analyzing rap of every era, the evolution of these patterns, techniques, and styles is brought to light. To achieve this, the paper also creates a system that other musicologists can use to analyze rap from a purely musical standpoint