SoundCloud Rap's Reach to the PNW
- melomania
- Mar 28, 2019
- 4 min read
An Introduction to New Music Near You;
The internet music phenomenon SoundCloud rap is an all encompassing genre. The genre itself was born from the fact that artists could upload their DIY music and share them with the masses virtually for free. There are no record labels pushing artists or co signing them for economic benefit. Originally, the art itself was unique and their was a clear distinction between SoundCloud rap and the existing rap genre itself. However, as time passes originality and creativity are becoming obsolete. Art is less important and a quick and viral rise to fame is becoming the focus of many artists sharing their music today. This has become the drive behind many of the uploads onto the site as within the last couple of years there have been numerous artists that have graduated from the platform and then move into mainstream music culture. Music nowadays on SoundCloud is generated to match an already pre existing formula and the general aesthetic of the artists does not tend to vary. On the large scale, originality is becoming less and less prevalent. Interestingly enough, this is not the case for a group of artists who are based near us right now in Western Washington. Full of drugs, partying, girls, life's lows and highs, the general message of this music may not seem to vary from what has been said before. However, I haven’t hear any music in the mainstream that carries the same energy and feeling that I receive from these artists. Below, are three songs that I believe illustrate my point. The three tracks are very different from one another and
I believe it would give you the listener a great introduction into the local music culture we have developing in the Pacific Northwest.
glamour - yungster jack & David Shawty
After listening to this song once, an addiction of sorts festered in my mind. The upbeat instrumental bounces and carries the song and it accompanies the vocals in an expert fashion. Although the beat itself is simple, this is a positive addition to the songs as it allows for Jack and David to express themselves fully. Safeguard produced the perfect melodies and rhythm to create a song that Jack and David would fit perfectly on. The intro vocal melodies are beautiful and remind me of retro 2000’s dance pop. Although heavily autotuned, the pitch fixing in this song is a great addition to the overall feel of the track. The vocals seem to shimmer as the autotune melodies dance through song. Yungster Jack lays down very catchy phrases basically talking about nothing more than drugs, women and partying. His slick metaphors and storytelling creates an amusing picture in my head. When he says, “Passing drugs under the bathroom stall get caught, Passing drugs under the bathroom stall I’m on”, I can’t help but remember all the fun times in earlier in my life where the bathrooms were a perfectly acceptable place for drug abuse. David comes into the track with a great line, “Offa flat like im flat stanley, she gives sloppy kiss like candy”. A smile reaches my face as I imagine dosing on molly and thinking about flat stanley. Both verses are excellent and and neither of them outshines the other. A duo for this track was a perfect choice as it provides for a refreshing switch in the middle of the song. Although this song both carries certain stigmas that people may not agree with as well as a certain sound that strays from mainstream music culture, I highly recommend giving the song a listen.
2. beachparty- lil wet wet & bedhead
To be honest this is in opinion is one of the prettier tracks I have on my playlist at the moment. Both artists are good friends of mine and I have witnessed their development as musicians over a couple years now. Their abilities combine to culminate in this beautiful song. A soft relaxed beat produced by tokyogo has a light ambient sound to it. The production with its light synths, mellow bass and poppy drumline accompany the artist’s vocals expertly. The beat could not fit better as the crossing point between lil wet wet and bedhead’s styles. Both create music that is very discernable from one another, lil wet wet’s style being heavy auto tune on upbeat rap beats and bedhead’s being primarily emotional lyrics sung with full emotion on guitar styled rap beats. When they come together, great music is created. Lil wet wet comes into the song with catchy vocals expressing his poetry regarding a broken heart resulting from an unnamed girl. Bedhead and him then switch off throughout the song each laying down eight line stanzas on their respective parts. Although both talk about similar problems, their poetry and method of delivery is different. Allowing for nice changes of pace throughout the song. This song is a great listen and I heavily recommend it to all those looking for something new to listen to.
3. Mirrors - bleedbleed & colbyruined
Colbyruined has become one of the most prolific producers and artists in underground northwest washington within the last year. Being only 15, his productions skills are so refined that they go beyond many of the producers that I listen to regularly today. On his last album Freak, he strays from the general mainstream rap sound aesthetic and develops a unique blend of electronic and rap. I use the word rap to describe many of the songs on his album as it is convenient and the poetry and lyrics are structured similar to that of a rap song. The highlight on this album in my opinion is Mirrors featuring a local artist going by bleedbleed. I forgot I had a place in my heart for electronic music. However, this song reintroduces the genre to me and twists it in a beautiful fashion. Bleedbleeds shimmering vocals lay into the background and allow for the beat to be the main focus in this song. Electronic music relies on the instrumental more than the vocal accompaniment and it is obvious colbyruined considered this when creating the song. Beautiful lyrics dance throughout and bleedbleed’s delivery is infectuous. The beat builds steadily and culminates in a rolling but somewhat relaxing drop. This song is great and I recommend it to all. Even if you aren’t an avid electronic music enthusiast, I would still check this track out along with colbyruined’s entire album.
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