Tags: Genre, Music Genre, Topical Concept.
Indie hip hop (short for independent hip hop) is hip hop that primarily exists in the independent underground music scene.The term underground hip hop may be used to describe both indie hip hop (which is defined by its artists being unsigned or signed to independent record labels rather than major record labels) as well as alternative hip hop (which is defined by music that diverges from mainstream hip hop music such as Gangsta rap.)As the term indie hip hop is indicative of the musicians making the music rather than the music itself it is not strictly a genre but rather covers a range of styles with clearly discernable hip hop characteristics.Like indie rock artists many indie hip hop artists place a premium on maintaining complete control of their music and careers releasing albums on independent record labels (sometimes their own) and relying on touring word-of-mouth and air play on independent or college radio stations for promotion.