Draft:SoundCloud rap

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SoundCloud rap
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 2010s, United States
Typical instruments
Regional scenes
Southern United States
Local scenes
Other topics

SoundCloud rap is a subgenre of hip-hop music that emerged in the early 2010s, primarily trap-based and defined by its mode of distribution which derived from the online streaming service SoundCloud.

History

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2010s

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Forerunners

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See also: Cloud rap

Lil B, Yung Lean, Bones, Yung Bruh

Origins

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See also: Mumble rap

During the mid-to-late 2010s, the music distribution site SoundCloud became a central hub for a new style and movement in online rap music. South Florida's SoundCloud rap scene proved heavily influential to the sound of this era, originally spearheaded by groups such as SpaceGhostPurrp's Raider Klan and Metro Zu. Artists like Denzel Curry and Lil Peep would emerge from the scene as well as Lil Pump, who would rise to internet virality through his 2017 single, Gucci Gang.[2][3]

This era was defined by artists like XXXTentacion, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty and Playboi Carti, who were collectively labeled "SoundCloud rap". Although internet rappers had been releasing music on SoundCloud for years, it was only during this period that the term "soundcloud rap" became associated with a specific sound. Subsequently, the term "mumble rap" later emerged as a pejorative to describe the off-kilter lyricism and unclear cadence and delivery of these rappers.[4]Additionally, Playboi Carti's label, Opium became responsible for the emergence of notable artists such as Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely in the late 2010s, who both reached wider popularity in the early 2020s.[5] Artists associated with the label pioneered a fashion style described as "opiumcore",[6][7] which drew from punk and alternative fashion,[8] with the broader underground rap scene's internet-driven aesthetics being noted as influential to the high fashion world.[9][10][11][12][13]

2020s

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See also: Underground hip-hop § 2020s

Underground rap new wave, Xaviersobased, Nettspend, Yhapojj, OsamaSon[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Johnson, Emily (May 7, 2018). "5 Ways How Mumble Rap or Non Lyrical Rap has Influenced Urban Pop Culture". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (2019-02-27). "How Rap's SoundCloud Generation Changed the Music Business Forever". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  3. ^ Turner, David (2017-06-01). "Look At Me!: The Noisy, Blown-Out SoundCloud Revolution Redefining Rap". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  4. ^ Iandoli, Kathy (21 December 2016). "The Rise of 'Mumble Rap': Did Lyricism Take a Hit in 2016?". Billboard. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  5. ^ Caramanica, Jon (2025-04-17). "Playboi Carti and His Offspring Ponder Life After Rage-Rap". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  6. ^ Ng, Vanessa (2023-11-23). "Meet the Opiumcore Boys of KL". Men's Folio. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  7. ^ "Opiumcore Has Taken Over The Streetwear Agenda For 2024 | Grazia India". www.grazia.co.in. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  8. ^ "Whole Lotta Looks: The New Punk Style of Playboi Carti". Highsnobiety. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  9. ^ Karjala, Anssi. "THE LIST | Discover | Underground Rap and It's Influence in Modern High Fashion". thelist.app. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  10. ^ Allen, Kealy (2022-03-19). "PLAYBOI CARTI: EQUAL RAPPER AND STYLE GOD". CULTED. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  11. ^ "Lil Uzi Vert Is Redefining Men's Fashion". Essence. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  12. ^ "The Style Evolution Of Playboi Carti (2011-2021) | Fashionversity". 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  13. ^ "Get Ready for the Summer of Ken Car$on". Highsnobiety. 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  14. ^ Lindert, Hattie (2024-03-14). "The Future of Underground Rap Is Extremely Online". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-09-16.