Though Auto-Tune is used in countless genres and in countless ways, it has become so closely associated with rap. It’s a fair association, because, no genre has adopted the tool into its culture more than hip-hop. Its usage has gotten so prominent, it’s become a point of contention amongst hip-hop heads.  Though more a style than an effect, a similar phenomenon has happened with “mumble rap.”

Both “Auto-Tune” and “Mumble rap” have become so controversial, their respective definitions have merged to become more symbolic, reflective of the debate between new styles and rap’s traditional cultural values. Now, it’s what they represent, not so much what they actually are.

As someone who is both a creator and lover of all types and styles of music, no one is better equipped to speak on the conversation surrounding “Auto-Tune” and “mumble rap” than Tech N9ne.

Over the weekend, Tech took to Instagram to share some thoughts on the debate and even shared some insight into the development of the styles. In such a  polarizing debate, where it’s “either/or,” Tech provides some much-needed nuance and context.

 

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Ok LET’S TALK ABOUT IT! Cause this shit burns me the fuck up! Autotune over the years has become the tribal frequency in the hood’s all over this planet along with the trap music sound! can we all agree? With that being said, SOME hood stars that put music out have been known to mumble! Future has admitted that he’s mumbled, Young thug has been unclear numerous times and a host of others. BUT, it seems that when people, (Black, White, Spanish, Asian etc) hear autotune, they immediately label it MUMBLE rap! How can you call @tpain a mumble rapper? You can’t cause you can hear him right? Yes lil pump mumbles but Travis Scott doesn’t! They both use autotune though! You get the difference? Migos tried to let ya’ll know on straight out the jungle that it was real rap no mumble! Did you hear THAT clear enough? You gotta know, just because you hear autotune, it doesn’t put everyone who uses it, in a mumble rapper category! Was I a mumble rapper when I used it on MIDWEST CHOPPERS 1 and BLOWN AWAY? HELL NAW right? The more I hear people label autotune users mumble when you can hear every word they’re saying, feels more and more like Racism to me everyday! Cause of where this style was originated! In the hood where the trappers dwell! You’re not saying you don’t like hood nigga music when you’re saying they all sound like they mumble cause they use autotune right? You can not like a certain type of style of music like you don’t like the bling drug type, I get it but you’re NOT supposed to put a mumble label on a person you can hear clearly! EVERYONE THAT USES AUTOTUNE IS NOT A MUMBLE RAPPER PEOPLE! You have to not be able to cipher what the fuck they’re saying before you can call them, A MUMBLE RAPPER! Sickology101 for the people that might not be clear on what a mumble rapper really is! Come on wit it! T9!

A post shared by Tech N9ne (@therealtechn9ne) on Apr 26, 2019 at 2:23pm PDT

You can not like a certain type of style of music like you don’t like the bling drug type, I get it but you’re NOT supposed to put a mumble label on a person you can hear clearly!
EVERYONE THAT USES AUTOTUNE IS NOT A MUMBLE RAPPER PEOPLE!
You have to not be able to cipher what the fuck they’re saying before you can call them, A MUMBLE RAPPER!
Sickology101 for the people that might not be clear on what a mumble rapper really is!
Come on wit it! T9!

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