Introduction
The rise of Soundcloud and Lil Uzi Vert has significantly impacted the music industry in recent years. Soundcloud has revolutionized the process of music production and distribution, providing a platform for independent artists to compete with established artists. There are no requirements or restrictions for what artist can upload music to SoundCloud, who you listen to on the app, or what genres are on the app. The rise of Soundcloud rap has challenged traditional notions of genre and style, creating a culture of experimentation and innovation within the music industry. Lil Uzi Vert’s unique style and innovative approach to music production has had a significant impact on the music industry, disrupting the traditional model of music production and promotion.
The Rise of SoundCloud
Soundcloud is a platform that has allowed independent artists to distribute their music directly to fans without the need for a record label. The platform has revolutionized the music industry by reinventing the process of music production and distribution. Soundcloud has provided a level playing field for independent artists to compete with established artists, giving them the opportunity to build a fan base and establish a career on their own terms.
One of the most significant impacts of Soundcloud has been the rise of Soundcloud rap. Soundcloud rap is a subgenre of rap music that is characterized by its lo-fi production, emotionally charged lyrics, and unique vocal style (Caramanica). Soundcloud rap emerged on the platform in the early 2010s and quickly gained a massive following.
Lil Uzi Vert on SoundCloud
Lil Uzi Vert is a rapper who rose to fame in the mid-2010s, due to his success on Soundcloud. Lil Uzi Vert’s unique style and innovative approach to music production has had a significant impact on the music industry. He is known for his high-pitched voice, catchy melodies, and genre-bending approach to music production. His success on Soundcloud paved the way for a new generation of artists. Lil Uzi Vert’s music blends elements of trap, emo, punk, and other genres, creating a sound that is unique and difficult to categorize. This has inspired a wave of new artists who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the music industry.
“Uzi began uploading songs to SoundCloud and quickly got the attention of a producer in his home city of Philadelphia. He began working with several producers and released songs onto SoundCloud of collaborations with those producers. This is where he first started getting traction as they got a few thousand plays. This felt like a lot to him at the time and motivated Uzi to keep working” (Henzel).
Lil Uzi Vert’s impact on the music industry can also be seen in the way he has disrupted the traditional model of music production and promotion. He is known for his spontaneous approach to music production, often releasing tracks as soon as he finishes them. This has created a sense of excitement and anticipation among his fans, who are always eager to hear what he will release next.
“Lil Uzi Vert came into hip-hop in an era when music streaming was beginning to give artists more power over their own work. In an earlier time, only large record companies could coordinate major album releases. They stood between artists and their fans. But with streaming, artists could form more direct connections with listeners. It also allowed artists to experiment with different genres, rather than be forced into a single type of music for commercial reasons. Uzi has taken full advantage of this freedom.” (Henzel 91)
Lil Uzi Vert’s impact on the music industry can also be seen in the way he has embraced social media to connect with his fans. He has built a massive following on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he engages with fans directly and shares updates on his music career. This has created a sense of community around his music, where fans feel like they are part of a movement rather than just passive consumers of music.
“I feel like he’s hit on our platform like no other artist because he’s always setting the tone instead of always being a part of something that’s going on.”(Henzel 90)
—Lisa Ellis, global head of music, artist relations, and label services at SoundCloud
Since 2007, XXL Magazine has collected a number of up and coming artists to watch annually. This is called the XXL Freshman Class. Every year, the artists do a ‘Freshman Cypher’ which is a group of the artists free styling over a beat. In the infamous 2016 cypher, all of the artists were considered SoundCloud rappers. This gained more exposure for SoundCloud as well as the genre of SoundCloud rap in general.
Production and Releases on SoundCloud
In general, SoundCloud revolutionized the way artists would create and release music. As previously stated, there is no need for record labels or a big following to upload on SoundCloud. This allowed artists have complete freedom on how and when they release music. Some notable artists that paved the way on SoundCloud and thrived using their musical freedom were Playboi Carti, Lil Yachty, Juice WRLD, XXXTentacion, and of course Lil Uzi Vert.
The accessibility of uploading on SoundCloud has been a major factor in artists releasing music. For example, XXXTentacion quickly gained millions of streams on the app at just 17 years old. SoundCloud allowed artists to gain exposure for their talents before they could even vote.
The impact of SoundCloud rap may not be seen in its pure form anymore, but it will continue to affect the music industry. Companies involved in recording and distributing music will face a constant struggle with a rapidly decentralized industry. In today’s digital age, artists can use simple equipment to create high-quality beats from the comfort of their own homes and share them online, which has become a popular mainstream practice (Bartol).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Soundcloud and Lil Uzi Vert have had a significant impact on the music industry. Soundcloud has revolutionized the process of music production and distribution, providing a platform for independent artists to compete with established artists. The rise of Soundcloud rap has challenged traditional notions of genre and style, creating a culture of experimentation and innovation within the music industry.
This post is intended for audiences of all ages, specifically interested in the music industry or rap.
Works Cited
Bartol, Kai. “’Look at Me’: The Rise and Fall of Soundcloud Rap.” The Michigan Daily, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.michigandaily.com/music/look-at-me-the-rise-and-fall-of-soundcloud-rap/.
Caramanica, Jon. “Juice Wrld and the Tragic End of the Soundcloud Rap Era.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Dec. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/09/arts/music/juice-wrld-soundcloud-rap.html.
Henzel, Cynthia Kennedy. Lil Uzi Vert: Emo Rap Pioneer. Essential Library, an Imprint of Abdo Publishing, 2022.
“Lil Uzi Vert performing in Austin, Texas (2018-08-09)” by RalphArvesen
