Rap's history, which began in the late 70s, is firmly rooted in the United States, but the genre has since exploded, and Foreignrap shows the extent to which that's the case. The online platform plays users rap songs from artists all around the world, so long as they aren't from the US.
Foreignrap's songs are all user-submitted, and they include artists from over 20 countries around the world. Some of those rappers might be world-famous, like the UK's Skepta or Canada's Jazz Cartier, but others are relatively unknown outside of their own nations. Countries on Foreignrap's list include Japan, the Netherlands, Iceland, Nigeria, Turkey, and more.
To use Foreignrap, one can either browse songs from random countries or by selecting a specific country. Users can't select song by song, an intentional feature designed to encourage discovery.
International Rap Platforms
Foreignrap Helps Users Discover Hip Hop From Around the World
Trend Themes
1. Global Rap Exploration - Foreignrap allows users to discover rap songs from artists all around the world, creating opportunities for global music exploration and cultural exchange.
2. User-submitted Platforms - The rise of user-submitted platforms like Foreignrap opens up opportunities for undiscovered talents from different countries to gain international exposure in the music industry.
3. Intentional Discovery Experience - Foreignrap's intentional feature of not allowing users to select songs on a song-by-song basis promotes a serendipitous discovery experience, potentially leading to unexpected artist collaborations and cross-cultural influences.
Industry Implications
1. Music Streaming Platforms - The success of platforms like Foreignrap highlights the potential for music streaming platforms to introduce niche genres and artists to a global audience and disrupt traditional music distribution channels.
2. Global Music Talent Management - Foreignrap's emphasis on promoting undiscovered talents from various countries presents an opportunity for talent management agencies to expand their roster internationally and tap into new markets.
3. Cross-cultural Collaboration - Foreignrap's focus on exposing users to rap artists from different nations opens up opportunities for cross-cultural collaborations, such as international music festivals and joint ventures between artists from diverse backgrounds.