Why Does the New New, Sound Old

3.21.20

There are some new kids on the block, and they sound a bit too familiar. I’m not talking about the SoundCloud rappers per say, I think by now we know who they are. But recently in 2020, there are a few artists who have had a breakout song or two, and I’m interested in who these guys are. Where did they come from, and why do I feel like I’ve heard them before? Nothing really is brand new anymore, you have to get your inspiration from somewhere. But does completely copying someones flow, style, beats, etc. make you a dope artist? Or perhaps, just a follower?

Smoove’L

Brooklyn, NY 20 Years Old

Projects: 4 Boy (2019), Hood 2 Hollywood (2019)

Radio hit/reference: Apollo (Nov. 2019)

So I’m in my car recently, and I hear the song ‘Apollo’ for probably the second or third time. I’m thinking, this song is cool, but I’ve heard it before. The song’s flow, chorus, the whole tone - sounds like Pop Smoke. Interesting, they’re both Brooklyn guys from the same time period. Is Smoove’L trying to take this man’s place in hip-hop, what really is going on here? So I look into it, and boy is this messy. The reason this song sounds so familiar, is because it is the exact beat that Pop Smoke and Travis Scott use on ‘Gatti,’ which actually released just one month after Apollo released.

I’m going to have to say that whoever’s beat this was, the technician gave it to both these guys, thinking they had similar styles and could do something different with the track. This actually ended up in a rap beef between Pop Smoke, Smoove’L, and Casanova. Everyone is subbing each other on social and in new songs, trying to crown the King of New York. In my opinion, it’s not like Pop Smoke stole the beat from Smoove’L. Casanova never really stuck in people’s minds, I think he gets into trouble too much to ever go on a winning streak, music-wise. I don’t think anyone knew who Smoove’L was before this. With the recent passing of Pop Smoke, I can’t be sure if Smoove’L is next up. However, I think if they people figure it out, we’re siding with Smoke, and it’s an L for Smoove’L.

Smoove’L recently put out a new track called ‘2020’, and I think it’s a bust. The beat still sounds the same, but then he has some auto-tune he puts on it, and now he sounds like Lil Durk. Why is this hardcore Brooklyn guy going for this now? Maybe after I’m able to cope with this situation it’ll grow on me, but I’m going to pass on this guy, for now.

Toosii

Raleigh, NC 20 Years Old

Projects: Platinum Heart (2020), Who Dat (2019), Why Not Now (2017)

Radio hit/reference: Red Lights (Oct. 2019)

This comparison strange to me. Toosii is from Raleigh, the East Coast. This song sounds a lot to me like Roddy Ricch, who is just a year older than him, and on the West Coast. I feel like people from Brooklyn have similar sounds, you can tell if a rapper is from Chicago, or from the South, you just know. So why is it that these guys sound so much a like? If you search Toosii on Instagram, his name that appears in his bio is “Big Steppa.” You probably recall, ‘Big Stepper’ is a Roddy Ricch song off his latest album that released last year. Sure, anyone can use this term, but with the close comparisons, seems like it is more than just a coincidence.

Taking to Twitter, it seems like the people are thinking the same thing. People are comparing him to Roddy, and saying he needs to be himself. If you go back and listen to Toosii’s project from 2017, he sounds a lot different. Obviously there is growth, and money for better production, different beats, etc. However, it seems that he has definitely taken the direction to change his sound, to be more of “what people are listening to today.” There is an interesting small rasp to his voice that he has while still being able to sing, where I think he wouldn’t have to change his sound to the extent that he is currently is. With the right content, I think he’d be able to make his way into the industry. The DMV is another great place for hip-hop, and YBN Cordae is lonely right now.

Will he catch on and get to stick around? I’m going to say, not when you’re trying following the foot steps of a young man who so quickly got his foot in the door with so many old heads in the space, already. Roddy is too far ahead, for someone to be doing the same thing and the world not notice.

Tokyo’s Revenge

Claims that he is 444 years old, with an anonymous birth location so we do not dictate his sound off of where he was born. How interesting.

Projects: Mdnght (2019)

Radio Hit/Reference: GoodMorningTokyo (2019)

Here we go again. Maybe you’re intrigued by his age and location description. I do think it’s interesting that he says he is not disclosing where he is from, because people usually depict your location with a certain type of sound. I am definitely guilty of doing so. But, is this really why he is trying to stay on the DL, or could it be because of how incredibly controversial he is?

This song, is a direct replica of XXXTentacion “Look At Me,” from 2016. A breakout song filled with screaming, absurd lyrics, profanity, jaw dropping, raw content that none of us needed to hear. Each song on the rest of the album, is something completely different. Emo singing, funky beats that sound like you purposely broke your speakers, light-hearted old school flows, literally everything under the sun. This is exactly what X did on his first album. I personally, hated it. I didn’t get it at all. I think there is a different between having range, and not knowing who you are. I will say that X eventually found himself, but I sense this kid trying to make a career off of it.

We know that he is used to these comparisons, from a recent tweet:

“I’m learning to deal with comparisons and exposure, I make music to make people happy, not to be graded, judged, and compared ... comparisons are normal.”

I just hope that this kid remains humble in his craft. We don’t know his age, but we can tell that he is young. Don’t piss off too many people, the way X did. I’m not going to listen to this kid, but I think the kids that loved X the way they did, need him. Hopefully he can figure out what he wants to do with his career, take it seriously, and be a new voice for the new generation.