The Song Planner

Experimental Pop-Rap

tagStarted 2011Peak 2016-2022Last big hit still active

Located in 1 route

Hip-Hop / Rap → Kanye-Arc / Soul-Sample / Maximalist Rap

Pop hooks and rap delivery run through restless studio experiment: warped vocal layering, falsetto-and-flow, glitchy or genre-bent production and unconventional song shapes. Catchy yet odd - bright melodies sit on top of disorienting arrangements, abrupt switch-ups and falsetto harmonies, chasing accessibility and avant-garde at once.

History

Grew from the playful, genre-melting impulse of Childish Gambino and Kid Cudi and matured as Tyler, the Creator's 'Flower Boy' (2017) and 'IGOR' wedded sticky pop melody to off-kilter production. The lane treats the pop single as a canvas for sonic experiment, blurring rapper and pop auteur into one shape-shifting role.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Hip-Hop / Rap

Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Boy
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awaken,_My_Love!
  • https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/292-kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-the-end-of-day.php