Higher Brothers and Migos
As we make our way around the world, today's track is by a group which hails from Chengdu, China. For some people, that is an automatic clue as to which artist group is going to be featured today. In fact, this is a group that many people may recognize from reaction videos. Today is all about Higher Brothers.
When I think of these guys, the first thing I do is chuckle. I have never heard a rap group master irony the way Higher Brothers do. The dark humor with which Higher Brothers writes and performs is so honest and quite insightful. The ambitious group is the face of Chinese hip hop and rap, especially trap rap. And what makes them incredibly special is that their is a hungry goal of bringing Chinese hip hop to a global stage. Western rap, Latin rap, and even Korean rap have made waves throughout the music world, and Higher Brothers aim to bring Chinese music to the game.
There is so much that Higher Brothers does to make their flows and melodies such an ear worm. For starters, there is a smooth mix of languages which are used in each and every song. The dialect of Chinese spoken in Chengdu offers a bouncy rhythm and varied tones, making it a malleable language for creating rhymes. Combining the local language with English and Mandarin, Higher Brothers crafts seamless lyrics with a rhythm and pace which is ideal for rapping. The mix of languages is also used to highlight those ironic and darker moments in the music, bringing light to some interesting opinions and stereotypes.
So let's talk about this track. This song follows the musical formula of what is considered trap rap. This style of music is popular all over the world, and it seems like a lot of rappers all over are embracing this staccato style of rapping and musicality. But the way Higher Brothers is able to perform this style is absolutely fantastic and incredibly unique. For starters, the flow of each verse seems to change. Each rapper has their own style and flair which they bring to the track, and this means the flows are always changing beat and rhythm. This brings a dynamic nature to the song, giving it more life than just a repetitive beat and a string of mumbled lyrics. The beat is a banger, I have to admit. It almost has a menacing nature to it. The back beat definitely conveys an intensity which dominates rap often. The infectious beat combined with a lyrical flow which is nothing short of impressive offers a track that is incredibly catchy and impeccably performed.
This all brings to light the most remarkable thing Higher Brothers has been able to accomplish - become breakthrough stars despite the barriers thrown up by both the Chinese music industry, social norms, and government. Hip hop and rap music were not very popular, and have only recently become popular enough in some of the larger cities in China. And while many rappers cite hip hop as an expression of themselves, there is a strong pull between passion and what family and society deems is appropriate. The Chinese government's restrictions on internet and sharing have also made it difficult for artist to showcase their work. The government has even gone so far to censor hip hop, rap, and tattoos from television. Many of the topics which are discussed in rap and hip hop are considered taboo and unfit for the public. Despite it all, Higher Brothers has done it. They have forged a path for so many up and coming rappers in China. The crew has changed the face of Chinese hip hop. They have fought hard for their place on the global stage, and won't be giving it up any time soon.
Today's instrumental song had to be a track from one of the most popular trap rap artists out there- Migos. The trio has exploded among the music scene, dropping singles which become worldwide sensations. From dance floor anthems to food videos, Migos seems to be prevalent every where. And as such a huge presence in the rap scene, it only seemed fitting to feature this group. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
When I think of these guys, the first thing I do is chuckle. I have never heard a rap group master irony the way Higher Brothers do. The dark humor with which Higher Brothers writes and performs is so honest and quite insightful. The ambitious group is the face of Chinese hip hop and rap, especially trap rap. And what makes them incredibly special is that their is a hungry goal of bringing Chinese hip hop to a global stage. Western rap, Latin rap, and even Korean rap have made waves throughout the music world, and Higher Brothers aim to bring Chinese music to the game.
There is so much that Higher Brothers does to make their flows and melodies such an ear worm. For starters, there is a smooth mix of languages which are used in each and every song. The dialect of Chinese spoken in Chengdu offers a bouncy rhythm and varied tones, making it a malleable language for creating rhymes. Combining the local language with English and Mandarin, Higher Brothers crafts seamless lyrics with a rhythm and pace which is ideal for rapping. The mix of languages is also used to highlight those ironic and darker moments in the music, bringing light to some interesting opinions and stereotypes.
So let's talk about this track. This song follows the musical formula of what is considered trap rap. This style of music is popular all over the world, and it seems like a lot of rappers all over are embracing this staccato style of rapping and musicality. But the way Higher Brothers is able to perform this style is absolutely fantastic and incredibly unique. For starters, the flow of each verse seems to change. Each rapper has their own style and flair which they bring to the track, and this means the flows are always changing beat and rhythm. This brings a dynamic nature to the song, giving it more life than just a repetitive beat and a string of mumbled lyrics. The beat is a banger, I have to admit. It almost has a menacing nature to it. The back beat definitely conveys an intensity which dominates rap often. The infectious beat combined with a lyrical flow which is nothing short of impressive offers a track that is incredibly catchy and impeccably performed.
This all brings to light the most remarkable thing Higher Brothers has been able to accomplish - become breakthrough stars despite the barriers thrown up by both the Chinese music industry, social norms, and government. Hip hop and rap music were not very popular, and have only recently become popular enough in some of the larger cities in China. And while many rappers cite hip hop as an expression of themselves, there is a strong pull between passion and what family and society deems is appropriate. The Chinese government's restrictions on internet and sharing have also made it difficult for artist to showcase their work. The government has even gone so far to censor hip hop, rap, and tattoos from television. Many of the topics which are discussed in rap and hip hop are considered taboo and unfit for the public. Despite it all, Higher Brothers has done it. They have forged a path for so many up and coming rappers in China. The crew has changed the face of Chinese hip hop. They have fought hard for their place on the global stage, and won't be giving it up any time soon.
Today's instrumental song had to be a track from one of the most popular trap rap artists out there- Migos. The trio has exploded among the music scene, dropping singles which become worldwide sensations. From dance floor anthems to food videos, Migos seems to be prevalent every where. And as such a huge presence in the rap scene, it only seemed fitting to feature this group. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
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