Hitmakers

Hitmakers refers to hip-hop that has moved from its core urban audience onto the mainstream pop charts. Quite often characterized by repetitive pop hooks, MTV-friendly lyrics, and glossy production techniques, most, though not all, of Hitmakers is Pop-Rap, distinguished by an attention to pop song structures and themes. More specifically, Hitmakers is rap made with concession to contemporary trends. Several artists have maintained their street credibility while still managing to achieve mass appeal: Biggie, Tupac, Method Man, and Jay-Z have all become arena-filling superstars without compromising their often violent lyrical content, making music for the streets as well as the charts.