Meet One of The Pioneers Behind Brooklyn Drill

Image via AXL Beats

AXL a UK based producer has recently made a name for himself in the Drill/ Hip Hop Scene. Through introducing the sonics of UK Drill to Brooklyn Rappers, the creation of a new hybrid subgenre has taken the world by storm, with even mainstream artist such as Drake and Travis Scott jumping on the new wave.

In the early 2010s, a new style of trap music emerged out of Chicago characterised by violent, dark, crime, nihilistic and gang-related lyrics over ominous trap-inspired beats. Producers such as DJ L and Young Chop helped pioneer and establish sound sonically, while rappers such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, SD and Lil Reese helped progress genre to the mainstream by mid-2012. New York Rappers would attempt to emulate the scene with little success, while in London a new regional subgenre emerged combining the lyrical gritty content of road rap and fast-paced grime beats with Drill, creating the UK Drill sound. In the last decade, this hybrid sound gained popularity internationally. In particularly UK producers such as AXL have become increasingly prominent in the New York street rap scene, which would eventually lead to foundations of NYC Drill movement, and launching the careers of rappers such as Sheff G, Fivio Foreign and 22Gz.

The 19-year-old producer arrived in the scene late 2016. Like, allot of UK Drill producers his sound utilised sliding and bending 808’s. Fast drum patterns of around 140pm(also seen in grime), he also incorporated grime vocal samples manipulating them to fit the drill sound and tempo. Through releasing visual instrumentals on youtube he slowly started to make a name for himself. Unlike allot of UK Drill producers rather than remaining local he quickly became the choice of Brooklyn rappers helping evolve the street rap scene into its own Drill subgenre. With genre developing unique lingo, attitude and content distinct to that region.

22Gz’s “suburban” is perhaps one of the first relevant Brooklyn drill songs in part to AXL’s production and use of church bells, a staple of his Chicago drill predecessor. Sheff G’s “No Suburban” also utilised AXL production. Here AXL’s rampant sound compliments Sheff G’s aggressive delivery while makes multiple subliminals. However his collaboration with Fivio Foreign on “Big Drip,” arguably launched his mainstream career. The track exploded to nearly 10 million views on YouTube within a few months.

Recently the producer has collaborated with mainstream acts such as Travis Scott & Pop Smoke on“Gatti” most notably Drake. AXL received a call from the Toronto rapper’s manager. “He told me Drake listened to some of Fivio Foreign’s songs produced by me.” AXL sent Drake a beat and soon after he released “War.” AXL says, “The beat sounds like mid-trap and mid-drill. It doesn’t sound like a regular aggressive drill beat. It’s more calm. It's a soft tempo drill beat. I think that’s Drake’s vibe, and it clicks with him.” Today the video has over 40million views.

In an interview with complex AXL said that “Grime is a whole different genre compared to drill. There’s some aspects of grime in UK drill, like the 808s, and you’ve got the slides and the fast-tempo snares. That’s kind of interacting with grime. But grime is different than Drill. And the drill you’re hearing now like the one Drake is on, is a mixture between grime and drill. DJ L, we created the sound. Shout out to him, he started off the sound. We took that sound and changed it to something else that’s way cleaner and neat. Something everyone could hop on. That’s the difference”

AXL along with other UK Producers such as 808 Melo, Ghosty and Hargo is completely redefining the sonics of American Hip Hop, through adding a bit of UK flavour. While Grime struggled to break through to America, due to its rugged underground sound, that can be abrasive in its purest form to unseasoned listeners, it’s successor UK Drill seems to break down every cultural barrier and has seen success from Australia to Ireland and New York.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_music

https://www.complex.com/music/2019/12/drake-war-drill-producer-axl-beats-interview

https://pitchfork.com/levels/axl-beats-drake-travis-scott/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3eAb4l38Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIlMtVGI5Pg

SHOULD UK DRILL BE BANNED?

ASAP Rocky Found Guilty of Assault

The 30 year old Rakim Mayers, has been found guilty of assault during a Stockholm fight and given a two-year suspended sentence.

ASAP Rocky has been held in custody for a month, two other members of ASAP Rocky's entourage, Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers, were found guilty of the same charge.

However due to the circumstances not being serious in nature If ASAP and fellow convicted entourage commit no crimes on probation they will face no Jail time. The artist and co defendants claim they acted in self defence.

The Case Controversy

ASAP Rocky’s case raised multiple issues and subsequently gained international attention . Firstly this has raised the issue of the treatment of blacks in Europe often when thinking of racial injustice most point US and African American experience however there has been a recent trend in Europe of racial injustice due to the influx of migrants. Institutional racism towards those of African Decent has been a growing issue in countries such as the UK, Italy, France and more, furthermore this not the first time an African American has been wrongfully convicted overseas in Europe. If we point to the Freddie Gibbs case in Austria rape accusations were made against and subsequently he served Jail Despite being completely Innocent. Several Hip Hop Artist have decided to boycott sweden on future tours.

Perhaps one of the biggest controversy was Presidents Trumps response to the situations, After make comments deemed racist to immigrants and blacks such as Ilhan Omar trump attempted to gain support of African Americans through giving support to the ASAP ROCKY situation however this largely failed, Trump simply put did not understand how sweden Justice system work, offering to pay bail even though sweden does not have a bail system in fact most countries do not as it favour the wealthy and affluent, allows them to escape Justice.

However in sweden there is no Maximum amount of time someone can be held before their trial. The EU committee for prevention of torture has long critisced Sweden for its long pre trial detentions, and legal experts in Sweden have been trying to reform this for time. This case could be the catalyst prison reform in Sweden

However perhaps the biggest and most recent controversy is that the people ASAP Rocky supposedly fought were also not convicted despite in most of the released video they were being aggressor and violent, furthermore ASAP ROCKY must pay a fine which will go towards supposed victim of attack. The court said the victim of the assault, a 19-year-old refugee, was awarded damages for what the court described as the violation of his integrity and for pain and suffering.

Unknown T charged with Murder

Unknown one of the most promising upcoming talents in Drill and UK Rap scene has been charged with murder.

Daniel Lena ( 19years old) along with two other men Mohammed Musse and Raman Boreland, both 20 were charged with murder and violent disorder.

On New Years Day 2018 at a flat in Islington Steven Narvaez, 20, of Belvedere Kent was found stabbed to death along with another man whom was recovered.

Narvaez Narvaez-Jara was a physics and aerospace student at the University of Hertfordshire. He was one of four young men stabbed to death within 15 hours of each other over the new year period. The Killing is extremely unfortunate and hopefully justice is brought for this man.

As for what this means for Unknown T career could also be unfortunate as well, The Drill star recently had another hit song ‘Leave that Trap’ and was planning on releasing more music soon, however this could put his career on hold, especially if he is found guilty. As for what this means for the entire UK Drill genre could mean more controversy, despite this crime haven taken place before Unknown T’s rise in music scene it seems that police often continually use UK Drill as scapegoat for UK violence especially in situations like this. While platforms like youtube decided not to censor Drill in defence of freedom of speech this still could mean a further clamp down on UK artist in general from the Police.

Skepta Drops 'Love Me Not' Visuals

Skepta recently dropped cold new visuals for track Love me not. The track is definitely one of the highlights on his latest album ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ , bringing a bubbly UK Garage vibe to the hard hitting album while still packing a powerful message about love and self reflections. This is beautifully executed on the hook by Cheb rabi, while B Live and Skepta go back to back giving a mc rave vibe to the track while staying on topic about women, love and betrayal.

This visuals perfectly capture the essence of the song. It opens with a scene about a girl calling her man frustrated then quickly breaks into UK Garage inspired house party . In typical Garage style most of the people on screen are dressed smart, however the overall vibe of the video is not retro like many Garage visuals that come out today. Instead it is set in current day and feels very modern. A few people make cameos in the music video including Slowthai and Chipmunk as skepta has collaborated with both these artist in the part. You can listen to ‘Love Me Not’ and his latest album release ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ on all streaming services including Apple Music and Spotify,.

Could Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's Bandanna get Album of the Year?

The duo are back again with another groundbreaking project. Bandanna marks the second full length collaboration between Freddie Gibbs and Madlib whom both over time have acquired a cult fanbase. Their last project, 2014’s Piñata, was praised for its mix of Madlib’s ominous and sample heavy soulful beats with Gibbs’ skillfully delivered stories of street life.

The follow up Bandanna only strengthens the duo’s performance as they are more cohesive on this project but still are able execute what they do best. Madlibs delivers smooth soulful beats with unique smoky samples and edgy but artfully executed mixes. While Freddie Gibbs talks about everything from crime, the streets, the drug game, black activism and freedom, transatlantic slave trade and even cheating. This album is especially emotional for Gibbs as many of the raps on the album, were written when he was wrongfully in imprisoned in Austria for a crime he did not commit. He claims this is the best project he has put out so far, this is definitely reflected in the music.

So far the album has received largely positive feedback from reviewers, blogs and radio stations, praised for its complete deviation from current trap heavy sound, making it definitely stand out. Despite its root in more orthodox hip hop sound it is still skillfully executed and feels current and refreshing to listen to. Many have even suggested that it could end up getting album of the year.