Alternative rap music shares many of its traits with underground rap although there are differences. Alternative rap music differs from underground rap due to its higher tendency to mix genres and the fact that its fan base is built around a more typical hip hop fan. However, no matter what type of fan you are, alternative rap downloads are a good way to familiarize yourself with the genre.

A good way of looking at this genre is by thinking of Alternative Music mixed with rap, or “Alternative Music Rap”. With a heavy dose of rock, funk, jazz, or soul, alternative rap music appeals to fans that may not listen to other forms of hip hop, whereas underground rap music is enjoyed by a large number of fans that also listen to other rap styles. Because Alternative Music Rap is less frequently listened to by die-hard rap fans and listened to by more rock fans, a common name for this genre is Rap/Rock.

Unfortunately, referring to this genre as Rap/Rock can be misleading because not all Alternative Music Rap contains hard rock lines. Granted, when you think of Rap/Rock, you’ll be more inclined to think of Korn, Limp Bizkit, or Hed PE, as opposed to OutKast, Queen Latifah, or The Roots – but, keep in mind that the musicians make the genre, not the other way around. For example: you might be able to classify Queen Latifah in the Alternative Music Rap category, but unlike Limp Bizkit, she holds a wider appeal with the hip hop audience.

Sometimes, you’ll also find gangsta rap artists throwing in a hard rock line to spice things up. A perfect example of this would be Trick Daddy featuring Lil’ John on his hit “Let’s Go” with sampling from Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.” Other rap notables with songs that can fit into this genre would be Cypress Hill, The Fugees, and P. Diddy when sampling from Sting.

If you’re a hip hop fan looking to expand your musical tastes, alternative rap downloads are a good way to expand your horizons without having to buy a CD. While you may have heard of Kid Rock, alternative rap downloads may be a better way of getting acquainted with his music than buying his CD. On the other hand, if you’re a real Rap/Rocker trying to get into hip hop as a whole, alternative rap downloads would be a good way to expose yourself to music you may not ordinarily hear.

1. Clint Eastwood – Orig. Artist Gorillaz *

2. Get Ur Freak On – Orig. Artist Missy Elliott *

3. Ready Or Not – Orig. Artist Fugees *

4. Cupid's Chokehold – Orig. Artist Gym Class Heroes feat. Patrick Stump *

5. Gone Till November – Orig. Artist Wyclef Jean *

6. The Humpty Dance – Orig. Artist Digital Underground *

7. U.N.I.T.Y. – Orig. Artist Queen Latifah *

» Fugees

» Wyclef Jean

» Missy Elliott

» Digital Underground

» A Tribe Called Quest

1. Don't Matter – Orig. Artist Akon *

2. Apologize – Orig. Artist Timbaland feat. One Republic *

3. Sweetest Girl (Dolla... – Orig. Artist Wyclef Jean feat. Akon, Lil Wayne, Niia *

4. What Goes Around – Orig. Artist Justin Timberlake *

5. Bartender – Orig. Artist T-Pain feat. Akon *

6. Runaway Love – Orig. Artist Ludacris feat. Mary J.Blige *

7. Me So Horny – Orig. Artist 2 Live Crew *

8. Beautiful Girls – Orig. Artist Sean Kingston *