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Underground hip hop, underground rap, or undie (to draw comparison to "indie" or independent rock) is an umbrella term for hip-hop and rap music outside the general commercial canon. While most 'underground' artists are signed to independent record labels, or not signed at all, this is not necessarily a prerequisite. The term itself is not universally accepted, and has no one clear definition, but is used extensively by music critics, record labels, fans, and the artists themselves.

Generally speaking 'underground' artists rap about a different subject matter than their commercial brethren. Songs focus more on personal issues, politics, relationships, and philosophy, and tend to be more introspective and self-critical. However, underground hip hop also has roots in battle rapping, and "shit-talk" songs are quite common, as many underground rappers display the egoism and braggadocio common to rap music. Underground production tend to be diverse, drawing on such musical styles as jazz, funk, electronica, and techno, as well as more traditional hip-hop for beats. The music can also be more lyrically diverse and have less repetition than mainstream rap. Some artists also avoid lyrics that are violent, misogynistic, or involve cursing [1].

The rise of Underground hip hop can be traced to the history of a few record labels and events during the 1990s, paralleling the creation of gangsta rap. At the same time that N.W.A. was pioneering the sound that would become "Gansta Rap," rappers such as Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Organized Konfusion and Common were creating the sound which would be later categorized as "Underground." The early 90s saw the creation the Living Legends and Freestyle Fellowship crews, 1995 Rhymesayers Entertainment, 1996 Stones Throw, 1997 Anticon, and 1999 Def Jux. In 1996, Scribble Jam, a hip hop festival which has cultivated the underground scene and launched many of its best-known artists, was organized.

If the 1990s saw the formation of underground hip hop, the 2000s saw it reaching mainstream audiences. Many artists, such as Aesop Rock, Sage Francis, El-P, and Atmosphere saw their albums chart on the Billboard 200. Rhymesayers Entertainment signed a distribution deal with Warner Music Group, and some underground artists, such as MURS, signed to a major label.

Sartwell, C rispin (1998). "Rap Music and the Uses Of Stereotype", Act Like You Know: African-American Autobiography and White Identity. University of Chicago: University Of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226735276. 

• http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2004/112004/11042004/1559120
• "Underground rap" — AllMusic
• http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/l/livinglegends-classic.shtml
• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6074210

• Contrastream - New Underground Hip-hop
• RapReviews - Underground Hip-hop Reviews
• Eksen Turkish Underground Rap

• Abstract hip hop
• Alternative hip hop
• Conscious rap
• Horrorcore
• List of underground hip hop musicians
• Nerdcore
• Political rap

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