Back in the 80s and 90s, did you ever take a chance on an unknown group, just by virtue of the name and album art, then get home to find it wasn’t even the genre of music you were expecting? The happens less now, because of the Internet and the fact that most Grownheads just don’t have time for all that browsing anymore. But you get the idea. These are the Top 5 Rock Groups that could be Mistaken for Rappers. Enjoy.
U2
Sounds like: they could be some jazz-hop duo a la PM Dawn, or Us3.
Really: Well come on, you know who they are. But just in case , 4 rocks gods from Dublin who do really nice things and act all pompous about it.
R.E.M.
Sounds like: M.O.P., B.D.P., NWA–any rap group from back in the day with a clever name that needed abbreviation.
Really: Alt rock legends. Most Grownheadz know them for their mega-hits “Losing My Religion,” “Shiny Happy People” (1992) or, if they go a little deeper, “The One I Love” and “Stand” (1987).
All-American Rejects
Sounds like: The Beastie Boys’ lesser known and even wilder younger brothers.
Really: Influenced by Green Day but sounding more like Blink 182, the four-peice rock group from Stillwater, OK broke into the big time with “Swing, Swing” in 2002 and kept it up with 2005′s “Dirty Little Secret,” whose video featured images from popular, anonymous confessional site Post Secret. (from allmusic.com)
Bloc Party:
Sounds like: they could be some booty bass, dance-based rappers, kinda like 95South back in the day, D4L (“Stanky Leg”) or Soulja Boy.
Really: Bloc Party is an English indie rock band. They trace their musical lineage from The Cure, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, and in their more recent work, Radiohead. (from Wikipedia)
Sonic Youth
Sounds like: Some skinny jean-wearing crew that favors autotune and neon colors.
Really: Sonic Youth were inspired directly by the hardcore punk and no wave movements, but were more noise-rock and distortion effects. Ironically they’re the only group on the list with solid Hip Hop Credentials: In 1990, Sonic Youth released the single “Kool Thing,” which featured a guest appearance by Chuck D and as such became the first time many Grownheads may have heard the band. “Kool Thing” was later featured in Guitar Hero III and is available to download for the Rock Band video game.
(from allmusic.com and Wikipedia.)
