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The Down And Dirty Details Of Drill Rap Music
What is Drill Rap
Drill Rap portrays the gritty, hardcore side of street life. This subgenre is defined as aggressive, dark, and violent. The pervasive subject matter for most of the material is guns and shootings. What else should one expect? Its niche form takes its name from a street term. As a source notes, “drill” refers to killing, doing a hit, or retaliating.”
Where did it start?
Chicago is said to be the nurturing ground of Drill rap. However, the form quickly gained traction with artists on London streets. Nonetheless, the music arose from the gritty Southside of Chicago. As a source notes,
“A lot originated in Dro City, a gang territory of city blocks in the Woodlawn neighborhood.”
From the origins, the form had bloody roots.
The Faces of Drill Rap
According to a source, Chief Keef and Lil Durk are two of the first artists to perform this subgenre of Rap. Chief Keef took the mic as a Drill lyricist at a young age. The source notes,
“Chief Keef, one of the genre’s most prominent musicians, was only 16 when he signed a million-dollar record contract with Interscope.”
According to the same source, Lil Wayne also signed a minor to rep the form.
Some might consider the promotion of such violence at a young age problematic. Why? Young artists are big influencers of their age cohort. Is this a valid concern? Given the nature of the issue at hand, it is indeed valid.
Expansion of Drill Rap
Not long after its start, the form made rapid expansion into the boroughs of New York. In the same year, artists from New York began to promote Drill. Two well-known Drill rappers from New York include Bobby Shmurda and Pop Smoke. Sadly, in February of 2020, Pop Smoke was fatally shot.
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Without a doubt, there appears to be an unmistakable link between the form and violence. Is there another expectation,
“Many drill songs are diss songs between gang sets.”
Not Everyone is Aware
Drill Rap has become a subgenre growing in popularity over the last few years; the critical word being, some. Many remain unfamiliar within the subgenre. Even so, a lack of knowledge has no bearing on the existence or impact of the music. This is why Drill Rap is under the microscope.
The Bulls Eye on Drill Rap
While most art forms exist unencumbered, “Drill” rap does not. The death of 18-year-old C-HII Wvttz, a “Drill Rapper,” triggered a firestorm. Although not everyone sees a link between Wvttz death and his chosen performance art, some indicators exist. The manner of his death is a critical factor. He was shot outside of a studio. At the time of Wvttz’s shooting, investigators believed Wvttz’s death could be gang-related.
Drill and Death
In 2021 at least three artists were victims of drill-related incidents. First, according to a source, KRS-Dre was shot 64 times. Mike Darole was shot during a robbery attempt. Finally, drill rapper Edai succumbed after being shot six times. The number of deaths linked to this form raises valid questions and concerns. NYC Mayor Eric Adams wants those concerns addressed with some urgency, as covered in an earlier FM Hip Hop Article.
Tepid Response
There is division regarding the mayor’s response. A few support the mayor’s effort to curb the promotion of material inciting violence. The opponents believe an attempt to ban the sub-genre is a violation of the first amendment. Other opponents believe the form reflects real life, so one can’t prohibit it. In the words of one tweeter,
“Drill rap they still getting active without music it’s a lifestyle.”
While there is merit to the argument, sometimes it is better to do something than nothing in a moment of crisis.
Drill rap is now center stage. What will become of the form is unknown. The hope is that whatever the outcome, the culture wins in the end. Stay tuned.
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Written by Renae Richardson
Did you miss the coverage on incident surrounding C-HII Wvttz’s death? Then check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.
