Prompt Thought 4–39 Ways Hip-Hop and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)are Strangely Similar

Alexander Luyando
6 min readJun 14, 2023

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2 of my strange obsessions are these 2 fields of art.

ASMR is under-recognized for the art form that it is. Same as Hip-Hop. They both take place in a brand new medium, both involve a level of rhythm and flow, and are built using new technology. Both are primarily dominated by underserved groups, oftentimes we think of African-Americans in Hip-Hop, but in ASMR, some of the most popular creators fall into the LGBTQ+ community, that oftentimes cannot get a job and rely on YouTube streaming revenue for their month to month expenses. Woman and other minority classes also dominate the industry of ASMR, for those same reasons.

This idea really came to me when I saw this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4YJGns7yEU, by GibiASMR featuring ASMR Darling, Matty Tingles, ALBinWhisperland, Seafoam!. The only time I had ever seen any sort of title like that was in Hip-Hop, it made me thinking “We The Best” by DJ Khaled Featuring T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman and Lil Wayne, alongside the musician Akon. Those 6 people, are about as opposite one other as anyone as you can possibly get, but then I started thinking about it and noticing other parallels. Oftentimes these forms of art come from pain and suffering, I am sure a lot of these ASMRtists had no clue what they were doing or where they would get money, and just started doing this everyday to stay at home, to keep quiet from their parents or roommates. While Hip-Hop really grew when all of a sudden a saxophone was too expensive for someone from Marcy Projects or New Orleans to buy, on top of lessons and books and rehearsals and trips, and maybe school if they’re good enough to play there. When in struggle, the human will just try to make something out of thin air, and we are fantastic at it, and these art forms, often have so much more in common than they don’t. So here is 39 ways, generated by Chat-GPT of course, with my slight edits, Hip-Hop and ASMR are strangely similar.:

Creative expression: Both ASMR and Hip Hop involve creative expression through different mediums, whether it’s audio, visual, or performance-based

Subculture influence: ASMR and Hip Hop have influenced subcultures that embrace their unique styles, aesthetics, and values

Independent content creators: Both ASMR and Hip Hop have seen a rise in independent content creators who produce and share their work online, allowing for a diverse range of voices and styles

Innovation and experimentation: Both ASMR and Hip Hop encourage innovation and experimentation, pushing the boundaries of what is considered traditional or mainstream in their respective fields.

Visual storytelling: ASMR and Hip Hop often incorporate visual storytelling techniques to enhance the impact of their narratives, creating engaging and immersive experiences for the audience

Amplifying marginalized voices: ASMR and Hip Hop have been platforms for amplifying marginalized voices, allowing individuals from underrepresented communities to express themselves and share their stories

Cross-cultural appeal: ASMR and Hip Hop have gained popularity across different cultures and demographics, transcending geographical boundaries

Cross-genre collaborations: ASMR and Hip Hop artists often collaborate with creators from different genres, blending their unique styles and influences to create innovative and boundary-pushing content

Niche communities: While ASMR and Hip Hop have gained mainstream recognition, they still have dedicated niche communities that celebrate and support their respective genres

Artistic expression: Both ASMR and Hip Hop are forms of artistic expression that allow individuals to showcase their creativity and unique perspectives

Influential production techniques: Both ASMR and Hip Hop have developed influential production techniques that have influenced other genres and creative industries

Evolution of language: ASMR and Hip Hop have contributed to the evolution of language, introducing new slang, expressions, and linguistic styles into popular culture

Therapeutic potential: ASMR and Hip Hop have shown therapeutic potential, with ASMR used as a relaxation tool and Hip Hop used for self-expression and emotional release

Online presence: ASMR and Hip Hop thrive in the digital landscape, with content readily available on various platforms and accessible to a wide audience

Sampling and remix culture: ASMR and Hip Hop embrace sampling and remix culture, incorporating elements from existing works to create new and unique compositions

Collaborative projects: Both ASMR and Hip Hop artists often engage in collaborative projects, showcasing their ability to work together and combine their talents

Performance rituals: ASMR and Hip Hop share the concept of performance rituals, where creators engage in specific practices, routines, or preparations to enhance their performance and connect with their audience

Emotional catharsis: ASMR and Hip Hop provide outlets for emotional catharsis, allowing listeners and viewers to release emotions, find solace, and connect with others who share similar experiences

Subgenres and variations: ASMR and Hip Hop have numerous subgenres and variations that cater to different tastes and preferences within their respective communities

Evolving trends: ASMR and Hip Hop continue to evolve, with new trends and styles emerging over time, keeping their genres fresh and engaging

Visual aesthetics: Both ASMR and Hip Hop pay attention to visual aesthetics, whether it’s through ASMR-inspired visual triggers or Hip Hop’s focus on fashion, choreography, and visual storytelling

Immersive experiences: Both ASMR and Hip Hop aim to create immersive experiences that captivate the audience and elicit specific emotions or sensations

Performance art: Both ASMR and Hip Hop involve elements of performance art, where creators engage in expressive acts to captivate and entertain their audiences

Global recognition: ASMR and Hip Hop have achieved global recognition, with artists and content creators from various countries contributing to their respective genres’ growth and popularity

Inspiring creativity: ASMR and Hip Hop inspire creativity in their audiences, encouraging individuals to explore their own artistic pursuits and experiment with new forms of expression

Cultural impact: Both ASMR and Hip Hop have had significant cultural impacts, influencing trends, fashion, and even language

Unique identities: ASMR and Hip Hop provide platforms for individuals to express their unique identities and perspectives, encouraging diversity and inclusivity

Community-driven: Both ASMR and Hip Hop foster dedicated communities of enthusiasts who actively engage, create content, and support each other

Online communities: Both ASMR and Hip Hop have vibrant online communities that facilitate interaction, discussion, and sharing of content, fostering a sense of belonging and connection

Audio-focused: Both ASMR and Hip Hop heavily rely on audio elements to create their desired effects, whether it’s through soothing whispers or rhythmic beats

Iconic figures: Both ASMR and Hip Hop have iconic figures within their respective domains, who have made significant contributions and left a lasting impact on the genres

Evolution of techniques: ASMR and Hip Hop continuously evolve with the development of new techniques, technologies, and production methods to enhance the quality and impact of their creations

Relaxation and stress relief: ASMR is known for inducing relaxation and stress relief, while Hip Hop can also serve as a means to unwind and find solace in its energetic beats

Emotional response: Both ASMR and Hip Hop aim to evoke emotional responses from their audience, albeit in different ways — ASMR triggers positive sensations, while Hip Hop can elicit a range of emotions through its lyrics and melodies

Therapeutic value: ASMR and Hip Hop have therapeutic value beyond entertainment, providing comfort, motivation, and a means of expression for individuals going through challenging experiences

Memorable performances: Both ASMR and Hip Hop are known for their memorable performances that leave a lasting impression on audiences, whether it’s through ASMR role-plays or electrifying live rap concerts

Personal connection: ASMR and Hip Hop can foster a personal connection between the creator and the audience, with fans often feeling a sense of intimacy or relatability

Global reach: ASMR and Hip Hop have a global reach, with fans and practitioners spanning across continents, sharing their passion and appreciation for the genres

Multisensory experience: Both ASMR and Hip Hop can create a multisensory experience by incorporating visual elements, such as music videos, visual triggers, or role-plays

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Alexander Luyando

Freelance Writer and Analyst, please inquire about research, thank you!