Despite this proliferation of schools of production and performance, many rap records can appear virtually indistinguishable from each other to a new listener. And there's no getting around the fact that a lot of them are. Rap music has lost none of its momentum as we head into the last half of the 1990's. Scenes continue to proliferate, not just on the coasts, but in Atlanta, Houston, and such unlikely locales as Paris. Shinehead, Shabba Ranks, and less heralded performers like Sister Carol have fused reggae and rap.
Rap is still a new music form.
It is expanding every day, and the sound has grown wide enough to include scores of future stars. A few of the present stars will definitely have a noticeable impact on the future of rap. Queen Latifah and MC Lyte are working hard to open doors to women in the music business. Rap fans are also starting to accept more white artists. 3rd Bass and Vanilla Ice are new white rap acts with promise.