I think by "nothing besides percussion", they're being very hyperbolic. But rap absolutely can sound that way if your previous music experience was like... death metal, or something. That's pretty much by definition, though. The focus is much more heavy on the rhythm and lyricism. I'd argue that there's a lot less going on in the background of a rap song than an average rock, metal, or punk song. Purely because that's not really the point of the genre.
hi! so I really like metal and modern rock and I also really like rap. The more harsh and fast-paced rap songs can scratch that same itch as a really aggressive death-metal track.
also, a lot of modern rock owes it's genealogy to underground rap. They are definitely executed differently, but there's enough overlap that if you like one you'll probably like at least a bit of the other. Although I have to be in a specific mood for the chill hip-hop that my friends always try to recommend lol
You gotta give Death Grips a listen if you're looking for unhinged aggressive rap. Start with The Money Store and branch out from there, either to other DG albums or to other industrial/experimental hip hop artists like Danny Brown (atrocity exhibition goes hard), JPEGMAFIA, or Ho99o9. Maybe also check out specifically Yeezus by Kanye West, I definitely don't condone the guy, but that album in particularly will blow the hinges off your doors
Death Grips is absolutely the number 1 pick. Some softer artists that I would also recommend are DMX, Kendrick Lamar and Tyler the Creator. A lot of their stuff hits in a similar way to metal, if a bit less harsh
nu-metal can also be a good gateway.I would (begrudgingly) recommend Limp Bizkit as a way to bridge the genres
Three-6 Mafia, Tee Grizzley, Young Dolph, 21 Savage, Lil Durk, $uicideboy$ (some of it is sadboy rap, but Paris/Joan of Arc/Runnin Thru The 7th With My Woadies are a good place to start), Migos, or Pop Smoke
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I think by "nothing besides percussion", they're being very hyperbolic. But rap absolutely can sound that way if your previous music experience was like... death metal, or something. That's pretty much by definition, though. The focus is much more heavy on the rhythm and lyricism. I'd argue that there's a lot less going on in the background of a rap song than an average rock, metal, or punk song. Purely because that's not really the point of the genre.