Nerdcore is a music genre that focuses heavily on traditionally nerdy or geeky subjects. It’s also known as “geeksta rap,” a snide reference to gangsta rap. Nerdcore artists typically identify as nerds and describe their work as nerdcore, though other artists may bestow the nerdcore title on someone. The genre encompasses a variety of styles and sounds, but it is primarily comprised of rap and hip-hop. It’s also known as nerdcore hip hop or nerdcore hip hop, which distinguishes it from the mainstream hip hop genre.
Although the term was not coined until 2000 MC Frontalot, a well-known nerdcore star, the origins of nerdcore can be traced back to the 1990s. While nerdcore music’s themes may include traditional geeky pursuits like science fiction, gaming, science, and computers, the music may also address political issues, drug use, and other topics that the performer is interested in. Nerdcore is, in general, defined the artist rather than the music. In other words, a musician who sings about science on occasion is not creating nerdcore, whereas a self-identified nerd rapping about the environment is.
Nerdcore, like traditional hiphop, is dominated male artists, though there are a few notable female nerdcore stars. Most artists produce and distribute their own work, in line with geek ethics about intellectual property and self-reliance. The music frequently incorporates remixing and fresh takes on old music, with most artists producing and distributing their own work. The majority of nerdcore artists make their music freely available online, and they encourage fans to remix or reinterpret it in new ways.
Nerdcore hip hop is sometimes intended to be comical. It’s not uncommon to see an artist making fun of himself or herself, as well as nerd culture in general, and nerd core frequently contains complicated inside jokes that may be incomprehensible to non-nerds. In other cases, the music takes a serious stance on issues of public concern, such as freedom of information.
MC Router, Optimus Rhyme, Mc Plus+, Commodore 64, MC Hawking, Beefy, and MC Chris are some well-known examples of the genre. Many nerdcore artists are articulate, intelligent people who come up with surprising and sometimes amusing rhymes. Some artists get together for collaborative projects or perform together at festivals and major events in addition to working as solo acts.