6 Artists Who Blended Hip-Hop and Industrial Music

From the 80s to today, these acts showcased the interplay between the two genres.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Industrial music and hip-hop emerged in similar spaces, and their influence on each other can be easily overlooked. This article highlights six artists who blended hip-hop and industrial with rap, hardcore punk, noise, and other experimental styles, including Meat Beat Manifesto, Consolidated, Corporate Avenger, Ho99o9, Death Grips, and Clipping.

Why it matters

The cross-pollination between industrial music and hip-hop has been an important but often overlooked part of the evolution of both genres. These artists demonstrate how the two scenes influenced each other, with industrial providing a raw, experimental edge to hip-hop while hip-hop's sampling and production techniques also shaped industrial music.

The details

The article profiles six artists who blended industrial and hip-hop in different ways. Meat Beat Manifesto, formed in 1987, is cited as part of the foundation of 90s trip hop while also influencing groups like Nine Inch Nails. Consolidated, formed in 1988, started as a radical activist band before evolving a more alternative-industrial dance sound. Corporate Avenger took a rap-rock and nu-metal approach in the late 90s. Ho99o9, a punk-rap duo formed in 2012, blends industrial, hip-hop, and hardcore punk. Death Grips, formed in 2010, innovates with electropunk and noise. And Clipping, formed in 2009, cites traditional hip-hop practices like sampling and experimental production.

  • Meat Beat Manifesto formed in 1987.
  • Consolidated formed in 1988.
  • Corporate Avenger was formed in the late 1990s.
  • Ho99o9 emerged in 2012.
  • Death Grips formed in 2010.
  • Clipping formed in 2009 and released their latest album in March 2025.

The players

Meat Beat Manifesto

An industrial music group formed in 1987, consistently fronted by Jack Dangers. They had a versatile sound ranging from hip-hop and industrial to jazz fusion and techno, and were influential in the development of 90s trip hop as well as groups like Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy.

Consolidated

An industrial music group formed in 1988 with a focus on radical activist lyrics. After 1994, the band consisted of only original members Adam Sherburne and Mark Pistel, and their sound evolved to become more alternative-industrial dance-influenced.

Corporate Avenger

A rap-rock and nu-metal band formed in the late 1990s, with a confrontational, aggressive, and in-your-face style that blended hardcore punk sensibilities with an industrial hip-hop vibe.

Ho99o9

A punk-rap duo formed in 2012, consisting of theOGM and Yeti Bones, who blend industrial, hip-hop, and hardcore punk with horrorcore, thrash, and noise.

Death Grips

A trio formed in 2010 that creates music hard to define, blending industrial, hip-hop, punk, and electronic with an aggressive vocal style and chaotic live shows.

Clipping

A rap group formed in 2009, consisting of Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes. While they dabble in industrial hip-hop and noise, they consider themselves primarily a rap group, citing traditional hip-hop practices like sampling and experimental production.

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The takeaway

The cross-pollination between industrial music and hip-hop has been a significant but often underappreciated part of the evolution of both genres. These artists demonstrate how the two scenes have influenced each other, with industrial providing a raw, experimental edge to hip-hop and hip-hop's sampling and production techniques also shaping industrial music.