Nettspend is looking to bring back that Soundcloud era of rap back on his brand-new project, BAD A** F***ING KID. It’s actually his debut mixtape/album and it arrives after a plethora of singles and collaborations dating back to last year. The Virginia native has stuck to a more underground sound but still sticking what’s become synonymous with the Soundcloud platform. That being speaker-busting bass and rough mixing. He’s been creating some excitement around himself because of that, but also due to those linkups we mentioned. He’s been tapping in with the likes of New York producer evilgiane and ok, but also gaining the respect of music platform Lyrical Lemonade.
Leading up to BAD A** F***ING KID, Nettspend did share quite a few singles. However, due to some clearance complications, they were axed. So, that leaves listeners 15 fresh tracks, which equals a runtime of just 31 minutes. There are also zero features, so Nettspend was looking to deliver a true solo project for his inaugural release. So far, the reviews are highly mixed, with some seeing true potential moving forward and others feeling it’s too unoriginal. If we were to compare this and the artist to someone recent, we feel he comes closest to an ian. The vibe around him right now is very similar to that of Nettspend’s. Right now, we are leaning more towards the camp that needs to see more from him. The production has some intriguing elements. But Nettspend has to get through some natural growth first before we can start seeing what others are already claiming to envision for the youngster.
With the unfortunate losses of artists like JUICE WRLD, XXXTENTACION, and Lil Peep, who are some of the names that are going to keep the emo rap scene alive? One multi-hyphenate that has been a lot of publications radar’s, including ours, is Dro Kenji. The Summerville, South Carolina act has been in the game for a few years now, but he really picked up steam in the last year or two. Tracks like “KILL CUPID,” “FINDERS KEEPERS,” and “STEP BACK,” have really put him on the permanently as someone that is more than capable of accepting the challenge to supersede the legends before him.
Kenji is one of the more consistent talents when it comes to dropping new material out of this new crop of emo rappers/singers. Since 2020, he has gotten out eight tapes, and fairly soon a ninth will be out this year, according to Our Generation Music. There is not really much information on when it will be here exactly, but fans can expect it in the latter half of 2024. For now, though, Dro Kenji is here with presumably its lead single “HEARTLESS.”
On “HEARTLESS” you might find that your ears will do a double take. It does not happen all the time, but Kenji’s voice is almost exactly the same as Juice’s. For us, it does take away from the authenticity of the track, but it is a toxically written treat. “She not the sharpest in the tool box / I need some space for me to cool off (Te-Text) / Text me, it’s annoyin’ when you call me.” When this album does drop, it will follow-up on his August 2023 effort WISH YOU WERE HERE.
What are your thoughts on “HEARTLESS” by Dro Kenji? Is this one of his better tracks as of late, why or why not? What is your favorite aspect of it? Does this get you excited for his upcoming ninth project? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Dro Kenji. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
You so bad at going home at night I’m used to bad and evil holdin’ tight On and on, it’s guaranteed to creep up Fixin’ hearts the hardest thing to keep up Ukulele playin’ in your window I’m a lover boy, but keep it chill
Trippie Redd and mgk are two legends in the Ohio rap scene. Both artists have taken on multiple genres across their careers from pop punk to emo rap, and much more. They have been close collaborators as well, so it makes sense why these two are bringing us a full body of work. Considered an EP, genre : sadboy sees Trippie Redd and mgk give us 10 cuts of ranging across those aforementioned genres.
According to Genius, this has been in the making for a couple of years. In fact, 2021 was the first time that this idea was brought up. Trippie did an interview with Bleu Magazine, expressing how hype he was to rep Ohio on the now-released genre : sadboy. “Me and mgk are working on an album actually on some Ohio s***. I want to get Kid Cudi on it, too. That’s my boy, I love him. We came up with a name that plays off of Ohio. And it’s gon’ be a mix of rock and hip-hop music. That’s our album together… It would be Ohio’d out.”
Three years later the project is here. The duo gave us the lead and only single “lost boys” on March 26. Some fans were not too excited about this release, saying how mgk is too old to be making tracks like this. A good deal of the EP delves into pretty surface-level topics about drugs, addiction, relationships and the standard tropes of emo and punk. JID is the lone feature, making an uncredited cameo on “who do i call.” Unfortunately, this tape is pretty standard, but it is cool that mgk and Trippie made this happen.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new EP, genre : sadboy, by mgk and Trippie Redd? Is this each rapper’s best project of their careers, why or why not? What songs are you gravitating toward and why? Who had the stronger performances on the record? Do you think they should drop another project together in the future? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding mgk and Trippie Redd. Finally, stay with us for everything the most informative project posts throughout the week.
Even after Lil Peep’s tragic passing back in November of 2017, the fans have continued to show immense support. A huge reason for this is because of the rapper’s mother Liza Womack. She had a sweet message for the undying supporters when she helped rollout the original version of Come Over When You’re Sober , Pt. 2. “I encourage Gus’s fans to enjoy the music that Gus created, listened to, and loved.” It was clear that they had a beautiful and loving mother/son relationship and it makes it all the more saddening that he is still not with us today.
To help carry on the spirit of Lil Peep, his team has just put out a short project called HATE ME. It is an EP with three tracks, all recorded back in October of 2016. For context, that is when Peep released his first two projects, crybaby and HELLBOY. According to Genius, these recordings were pushed by First Access Entertainment, a UK-founded company that has its subsidiary label called Access Records.
Apparently, they wanted Lil Peep to go more radio-friendly and mainstream with these tracks. But, they encouraged him to keep the same lyrical content we are used to hearing from the emo rap legend. It features two “og versions” for “Spotlight” and “Hate Me.” The first of the two was a track with EDM superstar Marshmello, while the latter was on Come Over When You’re Sober , Pt. 2.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new EP, HATE ME, by Lil Peep? Is this some of his strongest posthumous material yet, why or why not? What is your favorite song and why? Was he the best emo rapper in the game, or does he still hold that title? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Lil Peep. Finally, stay with us for the most informative project posts throughout the week.
It goes without saying that Lil Uzi Vert shook up the Hip Hop landscape when they dropped “XO Tour Llif3” in 2017. Since the rapper broke into the scene with Luv is Rage, they have continued to push boundaries and defy genre norms in music. Consequently, their unique fusion of trap beats, punk aesthetics, and emotionally charged lyrics have catapulted them into the limelight. Despite their deserved success now, we could never forget how, with “XO TOUR Llif3,” Lil Uzi introduced a new sound to the big stage. The Diamond-certified single turned seven on February 27, 2024, and yet, its impact continues to be felt. Here’s how Lil Uzi Vert used the groundbreaking track to usher emo rap into the mainstream.
Emo rap is a subgenre of Hip Hop that was popularized in the mid-2010s, characterized by its emotional and introspective lyrics. It often touches on themes like depression, heartbreak, and personal struggles, motifs Lil Uzi effortlessly conveys in their music. When artists like Lil Peep, XXXTentacion, and Juice WRLD began to explore similar themes within their music, it resonated with millions of listeners. Likewise, Lil Uzi Vert is another exemplary artist from that era, and “XO Tour Llife” put their name on the map forever.
Due to the emotional content in many of their hits, Lil Uzi Vert is often associated with this genre. When they debuted, their music was noticeably peculiar, blurring the lines between rap, rock, and punk. Undeniably, Uzi’s music defied easy categorization. Before long, the rapper’s distinct style and eclectic sound became a symbol of the evolving genre. The energetic delivery in their music, coupled with introspective and often melancholic lyrics, appealed to a wide audience. These audiences were hungry for a new, emotionally charged musical experience, and Uzi was there to supply it to them.
The Breakout Moment: “XO Tour Llif3”
On March 24, 2017, Lil Uzi released “XO Tour Llife” as the lead single from their debut album Luv is Rage 2. Surprisingly, it soon became a sleeper hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Presumably recorded during The Weeknd’s European leg of Starboy: Legend Of The Fall, “XO Tour Llife” is the breakout track that pushed both Lil Uzi Vert and emo rap onto the main stage of the music industry. The song’s haunting melody, paired with Lil Uzi’s raw and vulnerable lyrics, struck a chord with listeners grappling with the same or similar issues.
By the end of 2017, it had impressively garnered over one billion audio and video streams across major platforms. Evidently, the song had found its audience, and they were loving it. “XO Tour Llif3” contains themes of betrayal, heartbreak, drug use, and emotional turmoil which are vividly painted in the lyrics. Despite these themes that are typically perceived as dark, listeners were hooked. The song’s chorus, with its memorable refrain, became an anthem and resonated beyond traditional Hip Hop circles.
Lil Uzi Vert Makes History With “XO Tour Llif3”
“XO TOUR Llif3” not only dominated the charts but also paved the way for other emo rap artists. After its release, the song was quickly dubbed an emo rap anthem and helped push the subgenre forward. Interestingly enough, on the same day that Lil Uzi Vert released his debut album, Luv Is Rage 2, fellow emo rap pioneer, XXXTENTACION, also dropped his debut album, 17, which was not only a commercial success but became a seminal body of work within the subgenre.
Without a doubt, Lil Uzi Vert’s “XO TOUR Llif3” significantly contributed to catalyzing the mainstream acceptance of emo rap. The song broke down barriers and showcased the power of blending emotional depth with rhythmic beats. As an artist unafraid to push boundaries, Lil Uzi Vert’s impact on the genre continues to reverberate. With “XO Tour Llife,” they certainly left a mark on the ever-changing landscape of contemporary Hip Hop.
In the world of emo rap, few names resonate as powerfully as that of XXXTentacion. His raw emotion, genre-blending style, and profound lyrics left a lasting impact on the music industry. This legacy, however, is not confined to his own discography. Many artists, inspired by his work, continue to carry the torch of emo rap, infusing their music with the same elements that defined XXXTentacion’s sound.
In this article, we delve into the world of artists who share a kinship with XXXTentacion, either through stylistic similarities or through their own admission of his influence. We explore the works of Ski Mask the Slump God, a close friend and collaborator of XXXTentacion; Juice WRLD, who carried the emo rap torch after XXXTentacion’s untimely demise; Lil Peep, whose fusion of emo and hip-hop resonated with many of the same fans; Trippie Redd, known for his emotive lyricism; and even Billie Eilish, who shares some of XXXTentacion’s genre-blending tendencies. Join us as we examine how these rappers and artists are continuing the legacy of emo-rap pioneered by XXXTentacion.
Ski Mask the Slump God, a close friend and collaborator of XXXTentacion, shares a similar style. His music often features the same kind of raw emotion and genre-blending that defined XXXTentacion’s work. The two artists grew together in the Florida rap scene, shaping a unique sound that combined elements of punk, rock, and rap.
Another artist who has drawn comparisons to XXXTentacion is Juice WRLD. With his heartfelt lyrics and melancholic melodies, Juice WRLD carried the emo rap torch after XXXTentacion’s untimely death. His songs speak to a generation grappling with mental health issues, much like XXXTentacion’s did.
Lil Peep, another late artist, also shares similarities with XXXTentacion. His fusion of emo and hip-hop elements created a unique sound that resonated with many of the same fans. Although his career was tragically short, his influence on the genre remains strong.
Trippie Redd’s music often channels the same kind of raw emotion that XXXTentacion was known for. His melodic approach to hip-hop mirrors XXXTentacion’s, and his emotional lyricism similarly speaks to a generation of listeners who feel misunderstood.
While not a rapper, Billie Eilish’s music shares some of XXXTentacion’s genre-blending tendencies. Her dark, moody pop has drawn comparisons to the emo rap genre, and she has spoken openly about her admiration for XXXTentacion.
While XXXTentacion was a unique artist, his influence can be seen in the work of many other musicians. His blend of rap, rock, and emo struck a chord with a generation of listeners and artists alike. The rappers listed above have all taken cues from XXXTentacion, continuing his legacy in the emo rap genre. His impact on the music world is undeniable, and these artists are a testament to that legacy.
From rappers like Ski Mask the Slump God’s raw energy to Juice WRLD’s melancholic melodies, from Lil Peep’s emo-rap fusion to Trippie Redd’s emotive lyricism, and even to Billie Eilish’s genre-blending pop, these artists carry on the spirit of XXXTentacion in their music. Their work is a testament to the enduring influence of XXXTentacion, proving that his legacy lives on.
Each of these artists, in their own way, has touched on themes and stylistic elements that were key parts of XXXTentacion’s music. They continue to explore the intersections of rap, rock, and emo, and to channel raw emotion into their music.
While XXXTentacion’s life and career were tragically short, his influence continues to ripple through the music world. The artists mentioned in this article, and many others, are proof of the lasting impact that XXXTentacion had on music. They continue his legacy, carrying the torch of emo rap into the future.
