Quick, sharp knocking sounds on a door or surface; also a style of music with rhythmic, spoken lyrics over instrumental beats.
As a knock sound, from onomatopoeia. As a music genre, from 'rap' (to strike), chosen because rappers 'strike' the beat with their words rhythmically.
Rap music emerged in 1970s New York City in African-American communities and has become one of the most commercially successful music genres ever! It's deeply connected to hip-hop culture, poetry, storytelling, and social commentary.
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