The No. 1 song in the United States is Polo G’s “Rapstar”; Rod Wave’s recent album “SoulFly” recently debuted at the top of the Billboard album chart; and one of the most in-demand collaborators in hip-hop is Lil Tjay. The current sing-rap generation is thriving, and utilizing a variety of approaches, from saccharine pop to gospel-esque blues.
This genre takeover has been in motion for more than a decade now — even though most artists in the current wave operate under the long shadow of YoungBoy Never Broke Again, the arc dates back to Future and Young Thug; and before that, Drake; and before that, Kanye West; and so on.
On this week’s Popcast, a conversation about the many stripes of sing-rap success, and how melody has reshaped hip-hop over the last few years in the work of Polo G, Rod Wave, Lil Tjay and rising artists including NoCap, Rylo Rodriguez, Mooski and Morray.
Guest:
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork staff writer
Source: Music - nytimes.com
