Rap vs. Slap — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Rap is a musical genre characterized by rhythmic and rhyming speech, while slap commonly refers to striking someone with an open hand.
Difference Between Rap and Slap
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rap is a genre of music focusing on rhythmic, spoken lyrics often involving complex wordplay and themes ranging from socio-political issues to personal stories. In contrast, slap refers to the physical act of hitting sharply with the palm of the hand, typically used as a means of physical reprimand or in comedic contexts.
Rap emerged as a powerful form of expression in urban communities, providing a voice to societal undercurrents and personal struggles. On the other hand, a slap is often seen in various forms of media as a dramatic or comedic action intended to provoke a reaction or convey strong emotion.
While rap is a celebrated artistic form that has evolved into various sub-genres and styles across the globe, slapping is generally discouraged in polite society due to its aggressive nature and potential to cause harm.
The technique in rap involves mastery over beat, timing, and lyrical creativity, highlighting an artist's skill and often their socio-political awareness. Whereas, slapping is a straightforward, instinctive response that can be symbolic of disrespect or anger in many cultures.
Despite their vastly different contexts, both rap and slap can be powerful communicators of emotion and intent; rap through its intricate lyrics and performances, slap through its immediate physical impact.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Musical style with rhyming, rhythmic lyrics
Striking someone with an open hand
Context
Artistic, entertainment
Physical reprimand, comedic effect
Cultural Impact
Influential in music and culture
Generally seen as negative or humorous
Techniques
Beat, timing, lyrical complexity
Quick, hand motion
Expression
Emotional, social, political messages
Immediate, physical reaction
Compare with Definitions
Rap
A musical form characterized by rhythmic speaking and rhyming.
He gained fame with his unique style of rap.
Slap
Physically expressive and immediate.
Her slap at the mosquito was instinctive.
Rap
Emphasizes lyrical skill and beat mastery.
His rapid-fire rap impressed everyone at the concert.
Slap
A quick, sharp strike with the open hand.
He gave the snoozing guard a quick slap to wake him up.
Rap
A dominant element of hip-hop culture.
Rap music has significantly influenced global music trends.
Slap
Often used to express anger or reprimand.
The movie character's slap was a dramatic reaction to betrayal.
Rap
Can be performed a capella or with a backing track.
The artist delivered a compelling rap over a minimalist beat.
Slap
Can be comedic, as in slapstick comedy.
Slap scenes are common in classic slapstick routines.
Rap
Often focuses on themes like struggle, success, and social issues.
Her rap songs discuss the challenges she faced in her neighborhood.
Slap
A metaphor for adding something quickly or carelessly.
Just slap some paint on it and call it done.
Rap
Strike (a hard surface) with a series of rapid audible blows, especially in order to attract attention
He stood up and rapped the table
She rapped on the window
Slap
A sharp blow made with the open hand or with a flat object; a smack.
Rap
Talk or chat in an easy and familiar manner
We could be here all night rapping about spiritualism
Slap
The sound of such a blow.
Rap
Perform rap music
He raps under the name of Mr T
Slap
A sharp insult
A slap to one's pride.
Rap
A quick, sharp knock or blow
There was a confident rap at the door
Slap
To strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object
Slapped him in the face.
Rap
A type of popular music of US black origin in which words are recited rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing
Rap artists
The label specializes in rap and modern soul
Slap
To cause to strike forcefully and loudly
"He took a clipping from his wallet and slapped it on the bar" (Nathanael West).
Rap
A lengthy or impromptu conversation
Dropping in after work for a rap over a beer
Slap
To put or place quickly or carelessly
Slapped butter on a bagel.
Rap
A criminal charge, especially of a specified kind
He's just been acquitted on a murder rap
Slap
To subject to a legal obligation, such as a fine or court order
Slapped him with a speeding ticket.
Slapped her with a lawsuit.
Rap
A person's reputation, typically a bad one
Why should drag queens get a bad rap?
Slap
To impose (a legal obligation) on someone
The judge slapped an additional fine on the unruly defendant.
Rap
The smallest amount (used for emphasis)
He doesn't care a rap whether it's true or not
Slap
To strike or beat with the force and sound of a slap
Waves slapping against the raft.
Rap
To hit sharply and swiftly; strike
Rapped the table with his fist.
Slap
Directly and with force
Drove slap into the guardrail.
Rap
To utter sharply
Rap out a complaint.
Slap
(countable) A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.
He gave me a friendly slap on the back as a sign of camaraderie.
Rap
To criticize or blame.
Slap
(countable) A sharp percussive sound like that produced by such a blow.
The slap of my feet on the bathroom tiles
Rap
To strike a quick light blow
Rapped on the door.
Slap
The percussive sound produced in slap bass playing.
Rap
(Slang) To discuss something freely and at length.
Slap
Makeup; cosmetics.
Rap
To perform rap music.
Slap
An eye-catching sticker used in street art.
Rap
To perform as rap music
Lyrics that were rapped.
Rapped the chorus of the song.
Slap
(transitive) To give a slap to.
She slapped him in response to the insult.
Rap
A quick light blow or knock.
Slap
(transitive) To cause something to strike soundly.
He slapped the reins against the horse's back.
Rap
A knocking or tapping sound.
Slap
(intransitive) To strike soundly against something.
The rain slapped against the window-panes.
Rap
A reprimand.
Slap
To be excellent.
The band's new single slaps.
Rap
A sentence to serve time in prison.
Slap
(transitive) To place, to put carelessly.
We'd better slap some fresh paint on that wall.
Rap
(Slang) A negative quality or characteristic associated with a person or an object.
Slap
To impose a penalty, etc. on (someone).
I was slapped with a parking fine.
Rap
The least bit
I don't give a rap about office politics. I don't care a rap what you do.
Slap
To play slap bass on (an instrument).
Rap
(Slang) A talk, conversation, or discussion.
Slap
Exactly, precisely
He tossed the file down slap in the middle of the table.
Rap
A form of popular music developed especially in African American urban communities and characterized by spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a strong rhythmic accompaniment.
Slap
A blow, esp. one given with the open hand, or with something broad.
Rap
A composition or performance of such music.
Slap
To strike with the open hand, or with something broad.
Rap
(countable) A sharp blow with something hard.
Slap
With a sudden and violent blow; hence, quickly; instantly; directly.
Rap
(slang) Blame for something.
You can't act irresponsibly and then expect me to take the rap.
Slap
A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
Rap
(informal) A casual talk.
Slap
The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
Rap
Rap music.
Slap
Hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand;
The impatient teacher slapped the student
A gunshot slapped him on the forehead
Rap
A song, verse, or instance of singing in the style of rap music.
Slap
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Rap
An appraisal.
Rap
A positive appraisal; a recommendation.
Rap
A lea or skein of yarn that forms the standard length taken from the reel, 80 yards of worsted or 120 yards of silk or cotton.
Rap
(historical) Any of the tokens that passed current for a halfpenny in Ireland in the early part of the eighteenth century; any coin of trifling value.
Rap
A whit; a jot.
I don't care a rap.
That's not worth a rap.
Rap
Acronym of record of arrest and prosecution
Rap
A charge, whether or not it results in a conviction.
Rap
(intransitive) To strike something sharply with one's knuckles; knock.
Rap
To strike with a quick blow; to knock on.
Rap
(metalworking) To free (a pattern) in a mould by light blows on the pattern, so as to facilitate its removal.
Rap
To utter quickly and sharply.
The sergeant rapped out a word of command to the troops.
Rap
(ambitransitive) To speak (lyrics) in the style of rap music.
He started to rap after listening to Tupac.
He rapped a song to his girlfriend.
Rap
To talk casually; to engage in conversation.
Rap
(transitive) To seize and carry off.
Rap
(transitive) To transport out of oneself; to affect with rapture.
Rap
A lay or skein containing 120 yards of yarn.
Rap
A quick, smart blow; a knock.
Rap
A popular name for any of the tokens that passed current for a half-penny in Ireland in the early part of the eighteenth century; any coin of trifling value.
Many counterfeits passed about under the name of raps.
Tie it [her money] up so tight that you can't touch a rap, save with her consent.
Rap
Conversation; also, rapping.
Rap
A type of rhythmic talking, often with accompanying rhythm instruments; rap music.
Rap
To strike with a quick, sharp blow; to knock; as, to rap on the door.
Rap
To strike with a quick blow; to knock on.
With one great peal they rap the door.
Rap
To free (a pattern) in a mold by light blows on the pattern, so as to facilitate its removal.
Rap
To snatch away; to seize and hurry off.
And through the Greeks and Ilians they raptThe whirring chariot.
From Oxford I was rapt by my nephew, Sir Edmund Bacon, to Redgrove.
Rap
To hasten.
Rap
To seize and bear away, as the mind or thoughts; to transport out of one's self; to affect with ecstasy or rapture; as, rapt into admiration.
I'm rapt with joy to see my Marcia's tears.
Rapt into future times, the bard begun.
Rap
To exchange; to truck.
Rap
To engage in a discussion, converse.
Rap
To perform a type of rhythmic talking, often with accompanying rhythm instruments. It is considered by some as a type of music; see rap music.
All they could rap and rend and pilfer.
A judge who rapped out a great oath.
Rap
A reproach for some lapse or misdeed;
He took the blame for it
It was a bum rap
Rap
A gentle blow
Rap
The sound made by a gentle blow
Rap
Voluble conversation
Rap
Genre of African-American music of the 1980s and 1990s in which rhyming lyrics are chanted to a musical accompaniment; several forms of rap have emerged
Rap
The act of hitting vigorously;
He gave the table a whack
Rap
Strike sharply;
Rap him on the knuckles
Rap
Make light, repeated taps on a surface;
He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
Rap
Perform rap music
Rap
Talk volubly
Common Curiosities
How did rap music start?
Rap music originated in the 1970s in urban America as a form of expression among African-American communities.
Is slapping someone legal?
Slapping someone can be considered assault and is illegal in most contexts unless it's part of a consensual act like in sports or stage performances.
Are there different styles of rap?
Yes, rap has many styles, including East Coast, West Coast, Gangsta, and Trap, among others.
Why is slapping considered disrespectful?
Slapping is seen as disrespectful because it is an aggressive and demeaning action.
How do cultural perceptions of slapping vary?
Cultural perceptions vary, but slapping is generally seen negatively, except when used in comedic or specific ritualistic contexts.
What does it mean to slap someone?
To slap someone means to hit them with an open hand, typically as a quick, sharp motion.
What is slapstick comedy?
Slapstick comedy is a genre of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy.
What themes are common in rap lyrics?
Common themes in rap lyrics include life struggles, success, social inequality, and personal experiences.
What is rap music?
Rap is a musical genre that emphasizes rhythmic, rhyming speech.
Can rap be instrumental?
Rap typically involves vocals, but instrumental tracks are often used for performances or in the background.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
