Doja: The Cypher

4.27.23

Cordae, Machine Gun Kelly Doja Freestyle The Cypher 4.26.23

No matter what part of the states, or even the world you live in, drill has been a hip-hop phenomenon that everyone wants to listen to, and learn about. Specifically when it comes to the UK, Central Cee has been taking over and making massive waves all the way through the states. Machine Gun Kelly takes notes as himself and Cordae team up for a Cypher over Central Cee’s viral Doja beat.

Yesterday, Machine Gun Kelly shared “The Cypher” to his YouTube channel, reaching 675,000 views in less than twenty-four hours. I believe he stated he was in Naomi’s backyard, which would make sense as you see some pretty heavy weights and workout machines in the background of the outdoor patio the two decide to freestyle on. He could have said his homie’s backyard, being Cordae, but I guess those are probably one-in-the same at this point.

Though it was called a cypher and each artist highlighted their freestyle skills, MGK did very much embody the drill beat he rapped over. He showcased several different flows throughout his freestyle. At one point, somewhat depicting the sound of what some Brooklyn Drill may sound like (it was iffy, I’d give him Desiigner if anything). Then, further through his verse, changed the ton of his voice to accent like he was a London Drill artist, and even gave a shout out to his friend Skepta.

The YouTube reactors of course jumped on this right away, and a lot of them were happy with Machine Gun Kelly’s performance during the Cypher. For someone who got his start, signed to Diddy and then went completely punk rock leaving his hip-hop roots behind, it could be exciting for some fans to learn he is still invested in this lane of music and artistry. Yes, he did also mention that he is still marrying Megan Fox so I guess we got some answers to outstanding rumors there, as well.

Cordae comes in second, and obviously has so much fun throughout his verse. You can see it in his performance and hear it in his voice. The two are both very lyrically smart, and Cordae was able to pick up on MGK’s repetitive bar that was a take on Central Cee’s “pause” bar from the original version, and make it his own; “How could I be misogynistic, I love all my b****.” During Cordae’s verse, he also took a brief part of his rhymes to exercise his drill flow. Throughout, of course represented for his grandmother and family, and Juice WRLD. The end of the verse leaves fans excited for new music to come from Cordae, as he shares, “I’m coming soon, we unlocking the vault.”

This cypher was a lot of fun. But now I have a lot of questions. What do you think of this duo?! Can everyone do drill music?! Can BET get together more cyphers, already?! Do you want a new Cordae project?!