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

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