Alternative hip hop and the growth of the genre Basic Definition and History Alternative hip hop is a sub genre of hip hop that has been growing at vast rate and still continues to exist with its fellow "siblings" such as gangster rap. This comprises of a wide range of styles of hip hop that have not been identified in the mainstream, as the kick drums and synthesizers differ to your commercial hip hop songs. This genre originated in the late-80s and lead by music pioneers that had a huge impact in sampling jazz notes to orchestra type beats, to infiltrate retro feel into the hip hop genre. Alternative hip hop is also considered the "Golden Era" in hip hop, because of the groups and artists that lead this form of music into the present, which were mostly East coast artist such as the likes of The Fugees, De La Soul, Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest. Growth And Relevancy In The Industry This genre spread out and became known internationally through certain songs and has also evolved into switching to the younger crowd, that wouldn't know songs like Outkast - Elevators (Me and You) (Song/Video link: http://youtu.be/aIXyKmElvv8) which was composed and released 1996 with the likes of The Fugees - Ready Or Not (Song/Video Link: http://youtu.be/aIXyKmElvv8 ) thus leading this genre to be coined and recognized as underground hip hop with Dr Dre leading the production of HipHop with gangster rap, producers such as Pete Rock where rarely noticed unless exclusive of hardcore fans who followed the movement. Although the mainstream break through wasn't as strong, artist such as Gorillaz were the crossover into the market catering for everyone who had an ear for jazzy guitar notes and violin samples that were derived from rock songs which majority where alternative rock songs