Why is hip-hop/rap that is not mainstream labeled 'underground'? You never hear that label applied to other non-mainstream music genres (like indie, local).
by 
machinerat
ANSWERS: 3
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I have heard that label applied to many types of music. Much of rock and roll was labeled as "underground" in the late 60's and early 70's.
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it's more hip-hop sounding than indie... isn't it?
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the word probably has a historical meaning to it, like basement rap. I guess it's called underground because those track never made it out of the DJ's basement, like in the Beastie Boys video "3 MC's and 1 DJ". Hip-hop battles were/are fought in clubs and party places which were literally underground. I thing that's where you have to look for the origins of UND. And yeah indie and local, just sounds wack.
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