Drill music, a subgenre of hip-hop, has taken over the streets of New York and beyond, but who was responsible for bringing this unique sound to the city? New York’s drill music scene has gained worldwide attention, with its hard-hitting beats and gritty lyrics reflecting the experiences of life in the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods. In this article, we will dive into the origins of drill music in New York and highlight the artists and influences that helped create the scene.
What Is Drill Music?
Drill music is a subgenre of rap music that originated in Chicago in the early 2010s. Known for its dark, violent, and aggressive lyrics, drill music focuses on themes of street life, gang violence, and survival.
The music typically features trap beats, heavy 808s, and ominous melodies. The genre is heavily influenced by the environment it emerges from, with artists using the music to express their struggles, pain, and experiences in inner-city neighborhoods.
Over time, drill music spread to other parts of the U.S. and the world. In particular, the drill scene in New York has become one of the most prominent, with artists like Pop Smoke and others leading the charge.
The Origins of Drill in New York
Drill music made its way from Chicago to New York City around 2015. While Chicago’s Chief Keef is widely credited with popularizing the genre in its early days, New York’s drill scene took on its own unique flavor. The city’s drill music is characterized by a faster tempo, a more danceable beat, and a mix of local influences, like the Harlem and Brooklyn sound. But who exactly introduced drill music to New York?
Chief Keef’s Influence on Drill Music in New York
Before drill music became popular in New York, artists were already familiar with the genre, thanks to Chief Keef’s rise to fame. Chief Keef, a Chicago rapper, was one of the first to bring drill music to a mainstream audience. His 2012 hit “I Don’t Like” is often considered one of the defining songs of drill music. Chief Keef’s sound heavily influenced artists across the country, including those in New York.
While Chief Keef may not have started drill music in New York, his success and style served as a template for emerging New York drill artists. His influence shaped the sound and the lyrics of the drill music that was later produced in the city.
The Early Pioneers of Drill Music in New York
New York’s drill scene began to take shape with the emergence of artists from Brooklyn and the Bronx. These neighborhoods became hotbeds for the genre, and they produced some of the most well-known drill artists in the city. The first few artists to embrace drill music in New York brought their own local twist to the sound.
Bobby Shmurda: The Gateway to Drill Music
Bobby Shmurda is one of the first names associated with New York’s drill scene, even though he is not traditionally considered a drill artist. While Bobby Shmurda’s music predates the drill movement in New York, his 2014 hit “Hot N****” helped lay the foundation for the genre.
The song’s aggressive delivery and street-centered lyrics were precursors to what would later become drill music in New York.
Shmurda’s influence on the drill movement cannot be understated, as his sound was a precursor to the drill style that would later emerge from Brooklyn.
Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow: The Founders of New York Drill
Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow are often credited as the pioneers of the New York drill scene. Both artists come from Brooklyn and helped shape the sound that became known as “Brooklyn drill.” Their music combined the aggression of drill with the gritty, street-level storytelling that characterized New York rap.
Sheff G’s breakthrough track “No Suburban” released in 2017, is one of the early drill songs that put Brooklyn on the map. The song features a heavy, bass-driven beat, fast-paced flow, and lyrics about street life and survival. His success led to the rise of other artists in the Brooklyn drill scene, including his close collaborator, Sleepy Hallow.
Sleepy Hallow’s 2019 track “Molly” also helped to define the Brooklyn drill sound. Sleepy’s music often includes elements of trap and drill, with moody, atmospheric beats and a laid-back delivery. His combination of drill and melodic elements has made him one of the standout figures in New York drill music.
Together, Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow helped establish Brooklyn as a center for drill music. They built a following with their dark, gritty lyrics and heavy beats, which resonated with young listeners from New York’s streets.
Pop Smoke: The Face of New York Drill
No discussion about drill music in New York is complete without mentioning Pop Smoke. Pop Smoke is perhaps the most successful drill artist from New York, and his impact on the genre is undeniable.
His rise to fame in 2019 helped bring drill music to mainstream audiences and put New York’s drill scene on the map.
Pop Smoke’s distinctive “Woo” sound mixed traditional drill with elements of UK drill and trap music. His tracks, like “Welcome to the Party” and “Dior,” became anthems for a generation of young listeners. His 2019 mixtape Meet the Woo introduced many people to New York drill, while his follow-up album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon cemented his place as one of drill music’s biggest stars.
Pop Smoke’s music was a mix of aggressive drill beats, catchy hooks, and street-centered lyrics, much like his predecessors in Chicago.
However, his sound also incorporated some of the influences of the UK drill scene, which is characterized by its use of sliding basslines and darker melodies. This blend of styles made Pop Smoke’s music unique and accessible to a wider audience.
Sadly, Pop Smoke’s career was cut short after his tragic death in February 2020. Despite his untimely passing, his music continues to influence new generations of drill artists in New York and beyond.
The Role of UK Drill in New York’s Drill Scene
While drill music originated in Chicago, UK drill has had a significant impact on the New York drill scene. UK drill is known for its distinctive, dark beats and often slower tempo compared to Chicago drill. The genre emerged in the UK in the early 2010s and quickly gained popularity worldwide.
UK drill artists like Headie One, Unknown T, and Digga D inspired many of the New York drill artists, including Pop Smoke, to incorporate UK sounds into their music. The influence of UK drill can be heard in the beats and flows of many New York drill songs. Pop Smoke’s music, in particular, often featured UK-style drill beats, which helped give his sound its signature “Woo” style.
The Impact of Drill Music on New York’s Youth
Drill music in New York, like its predecessors in Chicago and the UK, has become more than just a genre. It is a form of self-expression for young people growing up in difficult circumstances. The music reflects the challenges and struggles of life in neighborhoods that are often affected by poverty and violence.
For many listeners, drill music offers a sense of community and belonging. The artists are able to communicate the experiences of their communities, while also providing a soundtrack for their lives. As a result, drill music in New York has become a powerful tool for young people to express their emotions and frustrations.
However, drill music has also faced criticism for its violent lyrics and themes. Critics argue that it glorifies gang culture and violence, which has led to calls for regulation or censorship. Despite this, drill music continues to thrive, with new artists emerging from New York and other cities to carry the genre forward.
Conclusion
Drill music in New York started with the influence of Chicago’s Chief Keef, but it was artists like Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow, and Pop Smoke who brought the genre to the city’s streets. These artists not only helped define the sound of New York drill but also gave voice to a generation of young people experiencing life in the city’s most challenging neighborhoods.
Pop Smoke’s untimely death left a void in the drill scene, but his legacy continues to inspire new artists. With the influence of UK drill and the rise of new talent, drill music in New York is poised to keep evolving and impacting the world of hip-hop for years to come.
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