Lowend

Last updated

Lowend is a subgenre of Milwaukee hip hop. Defined by uptempo, metronome-like clapping rhythms, heavy bass, and snares, lowend emerged in the early 2020s out of Milwaukee's lower east side and was pioneered by artists such as Certified Trapper and AyooLii. [1] The genre found wider national success through the virality of J.P.'s songs "Juicey Ahhh" and "Bad Bitty" on TikTok in 2023 and 2024, respectively, by which point it had begun receiving attention from music-focused media outlets such as Pitchfork .

Contents

Characteristics

Lowend is defined primarily by a steady, metronome-like rhythm of synthesized eighth note handclaps, as well as snares on the first and third counts of its beats, rumbling bass, fast tempos, and brief runtimes, typically not exceeding two minutes in length. Lowend beats are also known for being danceable and relatively minimalistic, while lyrics in lowend songs generally focus on partying, twerking, and cars. [2] [1] [3] [4] It takes influence from other hip hop genres such as bounce, ratchet, hyphy, and twerk music. [5] [6] [7]

History

Following the local success of Detroit hip hop-influenced Milwaukee rappers like Mari Boy Mula Mar, Chicken P, and MT Twins in the late 2010s and Milwaukee rapper Lakeyah's signing to Quality Control in 2020, lowend first arose in the city's lower east side, also known colloquially as the "lowends" for its street numbers being the lowest in the city. [6] Certified Trapper, who has been described as the genre's "standout star", began releasing lowend music in 2021. [5] [8] "Like Yhop" by Esco and Shawn P, which heavily utilizes a sample of Natasha Bedingfield's song "Unwritten", was released in March 2021 and became one of the first notable lowend songs. [6] Big Wan, an early figure in lowend, was shot and killed in November 2021 at 19 years old. [5]

Lowend first rose to popularity on TikTok with the viral success of J.P.'s lowend song "Juicey Ahhh" in 2023. His 2024 lowend song "Bad Bitty" was described by Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as "the biggest hit from a Milwaukee-based rapper since 2001, and possibly ever" and preceded his signing to Roc Nation. Other lowend artists, including SteveDaStoner, 414BigFrank, and AyooLii, all of whom became popular on TikTok through dance and comedy videos, and women rappers such as Myaap, Lonni Monae, and Yonaa have also been considered instrumental to its rise. [9] [7] [10]

Lowend began receiving media attention in late 2022 and early 2023, with articles from Rolling Stone and on Pitchfork discussing its merits. By 2023, lowend artists became known for their extensive and rapid musical outputs. [5] In early 2024, Nadine Smith wrote for The Fader that lowend had become "one of the most inventive and hyper-active rap scenes in the country", while Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork called it "low-stakes, low-budget, high comedy dance rap" that was "heavily rooted it is in specific, hyperlocal Milwaukee sounds of the past". [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rap rock</span> Music genre combining hip hop and rock

Rap rock is a music genre that developed from the early to mid-1980s, when hip hop DJs incorporated rock records into their routines and rappers began incorporating original and sampled rock instrumentation into hip hop music. Rap rock is considered to be rock music in which lyrics are rapped, rather than sung. The genre achieved its greatest success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixtape</span> Musical project

In the modern music industry, a mixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of an album or extended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists more creative freedom and less commercial pressure. The term has significantly increased in popularity over the years due to high-profile artists marketing their projects as such. Prior to the decline of physical media, mixtapes were defined as homemade compilations of music played through a cassette tape, CD, or digital playlist and became significant in hip-hop culture. The songs were typically beatmatched and consisted of seamless transitions at their beginnings and endings with fades or abrupt edits. It was then defined as relatively any musical project by an up-and-coming artist. Now, mixtapes have become a label of promotion and marketing for album-like projects. Dictionary.com writes that "the line between an album and a mixtape can be blurry," and that streaming-services rely on the artist to make that determination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K Camp</span> American rapper

Kristopher Thomas Campbell, known professionally as K Camp is an American rapper. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, he first garnered attention following the release of his 2013 single "Money Baby", which led him to sign with Interscope Records. Released in December of that year, his single "Cut Her Off" became his first and highest-charting entry—at number 49—on the Billboard Hot 100. Both songs received platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded the release of his debut extended play (EP), In Due Time (2014).

Ishmael 262 Ali is an American rapper, hip hop artist, and actor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has released 2 EPs and 3 LPs. His most recent project, the mixtape Slow Down, KID, was released in November 2018 and was distributed by EMPIRE. IshDARR is also an actor who had a role in the 2018 film, White Boy Rick and was managed between 2013 and 2017 by Enrique "Mag" Rodriguez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like That (Doja Cat song)</span> 2020 single by Doja Cat

"Like That" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat featuring fellow American rapper Gucci Mane. It was written by both artists along with Theron Thomas, Lydia Asrat, David Sprecher, and producers Dr. Luke and Mike Crook. Originally included as a track on Doja Cat's second studio album Hot Pink (2019), it became a single on May 12, 2020, following a viral dance challenge using the song on the app TikTok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flo Milli</span> American rapper (born 2000)

Tamia Monique Carter, known professionally as Flo Milli, is an American rapper and songwriter. She rose to prominence after her 2018 single "Beef FloMix" and its 2019 follow up, "In the Party" both reached virality on TikTok; the latter received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In late 2019, she signed a recording contract with Justin Goldman's '94 Sounds, an imprint of RCA Records.

Hyperpop is a loosely defined electronic music movement and microgenre that predominantly originated in the United Kingdom during the early 2010s. It is characterised by an exaggerated or maximalist take on popular music, and typically integrates pop and avant-garde sensibilities while drawing on elements commonly found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep End Freestyle</span> 2020 single by Sleepy Hallow and Fousheé

"Deep End Freestyle" is a song by American rapper Sleepy Hallow and American singer Fousheé. It was released on April 3, 2020 by Winners Circle Entertainment, and is the lead single from his mixtape Sleepy Hallow Presents: Sleepy for President (2020). Produced by Great John, the song features a sample of "Deep End" by Fousheé. The song is the first charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 for both artists, peaking at number 80. It went viral via TikTok.

"Get Into It (Yuh)" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her third studio album Planet Her (2021). Doja co-wrote the track with its producers, Y2K and Sully. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records alongside the parent album as an album track. Following the album's release, it entered various international music charts due to going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. Following premiere of the music video on January 31, 2022, the song was released to radio as the album's fifth and final single on March 11, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GloRilla</span> American rapper (born 1999)

Gloria Hallelujah Woods, known professionally as GloRilla, is an American rapper and songwriter. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, she first became known for her 2022 single "F.N.F. ", which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Its success led her to sign with fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group, in July of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munch (Feelin' U)</span> 2022 single by Ice Spice

"Munch (Feelin' U)" is a song by American rapper Ice Spice, released on August 10, 2022. A music video accompanied the song. The song trended on TikTok. It was later released as the lead single from the debut EP Like..?.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maiya the Don</span> American rapper and songwriter

Maiya Early, known professionally as Maiya the Don, is an American rapper and songwriter. She is best known for her song "Telfy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xaviersobased</span> American rapper

Xavier Lopez, known professionally as Xaviersobased, is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. Known for an eccentric rapping and production style, his songs span a number of genres, including trap, plugg, jerk, and hyperpop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get in with Me</span> 2024 single by Bossman Dlow

"Get in with Me" is a song by American rapper BossMan Dlow, released on January 18, 2024, as a two-track single along with his song "Piss Me Off". Considered his breakout hit, it gained traction on the video-sharing platform TikTok and became his first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 68.

Milwaukee hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop that specific to the state of Wisconsin, and its largest urban center, Milwaukee in particular. The genre is said to have came to prevalence in the hip hop community in the early 1990s, with the alternative-rap group Arrested Development's success at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, including the Best New Artist Award. Another notable event would be the release of Milwaukee native Coo Coo Cal's #1 Billboard Hot Single "My Projects" in 2001. Milwaukee hip hop made a resurgence in the 2010's and can be considered to belong to the larger Midwest hip hop and drill scenes.

Jasia Abrams, known professionally as Babyxsosa, is an American rapper. She joined the hip hop collective Surf Gang in 2019 before leaving in 2021. Her 2019 breakout song "Everywhereigo" went viral on TikTok. In 2023, she released the synth-punk extended play (EP) Bling Bling and a self-titled electropop EP. After a run of various singles throughout the following year, Babyxsosa released her debut album, Babyonce, on October 19, 2024. Her underground, lo-fi trap songs have been noted for her high-pitched rapping voice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J.P. (rapper)</span> American rapper and singer

Josiah Gillie, known professionally as J.P. and formerly as Jody P, is an American rapper and singer. He released his debut single "Juicey Ahhh" in 2022 and his breakout single "Bad Bitty" went viral on TikTok in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41 (group)</span> American hip hop group

41 is an American hip hop group founded in 2022 in Brooklyn. It consists of rappers Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and TaTa, who first began recording music together on BandLab during the COVID-19 pandemic before releasing their debut single, "41 Cypher", in early 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Bitty</span> 2024 single by J.P.

"Bad Bitty" is a song by American rapper J.P., released on February 9, 2024, as the lead single from his fifth studio album Coming Out Party (2024). It went viral on the video-sharing app TikTok and is considered his breakout hit. Produced by J.P. himself and P tha Producer, the song samples "We Can't Be Friends" by Dream Koala.

Amaiya Spain, known professionally as Myaap, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Milwaukee, she began rapping while in high school and her 2023 singles "HTS" and "Getting to It" both went viral on TikTok.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gee, Andre (June 10, 2024). "J.P. Is Making Feel-Good Raps That the Internet Loves". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 3, 2025. Artists like Certified Trapper and AyooLii are becoming cult favorites with distinctive vocals over minimalist beats with frenetic production.
  2. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (August 21, 2023). "Inside the Unmistakable Madness of Milwaukee's Rap Scene". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (April 12, 2024). "J.P.'s Milwaukee Lowend Anthem 'Bad Bitty' Is the Catchiest Song Anywhere Right Now". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  4. ↑ Denis, Kyle (May 8, 2024). "He's J.P.: The Rising Milwaukee Rapper Opens Up About His Breakthrough 'Bad Bitty' Moment, Favorite Gospel Songs & Standing In His Truth". Billboard . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Levy, Piet (May 16, 2023). "'This is history in the making': Milwaukee's lowend rap scene is finding a big audience". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Barshad, Amos (August 8, 2023). "Meet the Artists Reinventing Hip Hop on YouTube and TikTok". Wired . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Medithi, Vivian (May 31, 2024). "Rap Blog: Myaap and Nedarb want you to shake something". The Fader. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ↑ Levy, Piet (June 14, 2023). "Breakout Milwaukee rap star Certified Trapper gets ready for first hometown headlining concert". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ Levy, Piet (October 2, 2024). "It's a golden age for Milwaukee hip-hop. Here are 18 rappers you need to know about". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (May 21, 2024). "Listen to Myaap & Yonaa's 'Choppa Sound': The Ones". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  11. ↑ Smith, Nadine (January 5, 2024). "6 artists who are keeping Milwaukee rap essential". The Fader . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.