TR
EN
Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures
Abstract
Digitalisation and the proliferation of online music listening platforms have led to the exponential growth of music data on the Internet, thus necessitating the development of automated systems for data organisation and analysis. In this context, automatic genre classification practices have become a significant approach for the efficiency of music discovery and recommendation processes. While significant progress has been made in genre classification, subgenre classification remains an under-researched area, despite its potential to provide more personalised listening experiences. This study aims to address this gap by focusing on the classification of hip-hop music subgenres, namely boombap, jazzrap and trap, utilising a comprehensive dataset comprising 750 audio files. The study extracts a total of 31 features, encompassing both spectral and psychoacoustic characteristics. Machine learning models such as Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbours, Decision Tree and Random Forest are employed, along with the Artificial Neural Network, which attains the highest accuracy of 85%. The findings reveal that subgenre classification poses challenges, especially for categories such as jazzrap and boombap, which share overlapping musical characteristics. In contrast, trap with different timbral characteristics was classified with higher accuracy. This study contributes to the scant research on subgenre classification by underscoring the viability of employing deep learning techniques to enhance the precision of comprehensive datasets and intricate subgenre categorisations. Moreover, this research underscores the pivotal role of subgenre classification within the ambit of digital music platforms. The accurate identification of subgenres not only elevates the overall auditory experience for users but also facilitates the discovery of music selections that resonate closely with their individual preferences.
Keywords
References
- AllMusic. (n.d.). Jazz rap. AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/jazz-rap-ma0000012180
- Ashraf, M., Ahmad, F., Rauqir, R., Abid, F., Naseer, M., & Haq, E. (2021). Notice of violation of IEEE publication principles: Emotion recognition based on musical instrument using deep neural network. In 2021 International Conference on Frontiers of Information Technology (FIT) (pp. 323-328). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIT53504.2021.00066
- Atahan, Y., Elbir, A., Keskin, A. E., Kiraz, O., Kirval, B., & Aydın, N. (2021). Music genre classification using acoustic features and autoencoders. In 2021 Innovations in Intelligent Systems and Applications Conference (ASYU) (pp. 1-5). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ASYU52992.2021.9598979
- Babar, K. (2024). Performance evaluation of decision trees with machine learning algorithm. International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering & Management, 8(5), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsrem34179
- Bahuleyan, E. (2018). Music genre classification using machine learning techniques. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.01149
- Baladram, S. (2024, Sep 6). Scaling numerical data explained: A visual guide with code examples for beginners. Medium. https://medium.com/towards-data-science/scaling-numerical-data-explained-a-visual-guide-with-code-examples-for-beginners-11676cdb45cb
- Boyko, N. I., & Mykhaylyshyn, V. Y. (2023). K-NN’s nearest neighbors method for classifying text documents by their topics. Radio Electronics, Computer Science, Control, 3, 83-96. https://doi.org/10.15588/1607-3274-2023-3-9
- Caparrini, A., Arroyo, J., Pérez-Molina, L., & Sánchez-Hernández, J. (2020). Automatic subgenre classification in an electronic dance music taxonomy. Journal of New Music Research, 49(3), 269-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/09298215.2020.1761399
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Sound and Music Computing, Music Technology and Recording
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
April 30, 2025
Submission Date
January 21, 2025
Acceptance Date
March 14, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 2
APA
Paşa, C., & Tarikci, A. (2025). Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures. Online Journal of Music Sciences, 10(2), 235-247. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1624182
AMA
1.Paşa C, Tarikci A. Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures. ojomus. 2025;10(2):235-247. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1624182
Chicago
Paşa, Can, and Abdurrahman Tarikci. 2025. “Subgenre Classification in Hip Hop Music an Analysis of Machine Learning Architectures”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10 (2): 235-47. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1624182.
EndNote
Paşa C, Tarikci A (April 1, 2025) Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10 2 235–247.
IEEE
[1]C. Paşa and A. Tarikci, “Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures”, ojomus, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 235–247, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.31811/ojomus.1624182.
ISNAD
Paşa, Can - Tarikci, Abdurrahman. “Subgenre Classification in Hip Hop Music an Analysis of Machine Learning Architectures”. Online Journal of Music Sciences 10/2 (April 1, 2025): 235-247. https://doi.org/10.31811/ojomus.1624182.
JAMA
1.Paşa C, Tarikci A. Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures. ojomus. 2025;10:235–247.
MLA
Paşa, Can, and Abdurrahman Tarikci. “Subgenre Classification in Hip Hop Music an Analysis of Machine Learning Architectures”. Online Journal of Music Sciences, vol. 10, no. 2, Apr. 2025, pp. 235-47, doi:10.31811/ojomus.1624182.
Vancouver
1.Can Paşa, Abdurrahman Tarikci. Subgenre classification in hip hop music an analysis of machine learning architectures. ojomus. 2025 Apr. 1;10(2):235-47. doi:10.31811/ojomus.1624182