Hip-hop artist: quiet (3)
I believe the answer is:
rap
'hip-hop' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'artist quiet' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'ra'+'p'='RAP'
(Other definitions for rap that I've seen before include "black music is a > blow" , "Sort of music" , "Knock, tap" , "Administer sharp blow, being below par" , "Knock sharply" .)