Rhythms are patterns formed from multiple notes combined together around the underlying pulse (beat). For example, take this extract of an Abondan rhythm, a West African rhythm originally played for a king:

In some areas of that piece, the rhythm was very complex as many different notes of different lengths were being played at the same time. However, the core rhythmic idea, which you hear at the beginning and is repeated throughout, is more simplistic and easier to remember.

Now, listen to Jenn’s Hannemann’s Polynesian Nightmare:

Can you hear the different rhythms in the Polynesian Nightmare? Can you hear the rhythmic difference between these two recordings?

One thing you may have noticed between these two recordings is the difference in their instruments, how the sounds produced are very different. Also, the Polynesian Nightmare felt quicker in comparison to Abondan, so similar rhythms felt faster in pace, therefore different to our ears.

So, these two pieces were examples of different rhythms, and showed how other musical elements can impact rhythm too. Some of the key music elements which are closely related to rhythm are: tempo, pulse, time signatures, notes, pitch, melody, and instrumentation.

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References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVPLIuBy9CY

https://www.liveabout.com/rhythm-definition-2701751

https://www.thelooploft.com/blogs/ryans-corner/3613742-polynesian-nightmare-deconstructed