I received many Greek hip-hop artist recommendation by a local burger shop worker named Tasos. He gave me more “underground” artists to listen to as well as some throwbacks. Listening to the songs, I will write short reflections about the style, flow, instrumentation/sampling, and overall mood of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNdzpCZRnHI
This video clip is particularly interesting because of the amount of effort put into creating a storyline through the video. Although I don’t understand the lyrics, the story is being told through the video as well as the clip. The style of the flow is quite similar to trap with simple 808s, a droning bass in the end, and a simple keyboard style melody. But, there is a really interesting wailing voice sample in the background that gives the song quite a sad mood. Lex’s flow is definitely not mumble rap, but it isn’t as punctuated and clear as someone like Eminem. But he does keep the same rhyme scheme and meter throughout the whole piece expect for the chorus. It’s strikingly similar to any style of American rap I would listen to, except that the rapper is speaking Greek.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C75GfC1y_nw
Again, I see the importance of video clips in amplifying the meaning of the song. I love Anser’s flow, it’s quite poetic and consistent but he’s not trying. It comes out his mouth naturally creating a beautiful melody without needing to mumble. He rides the beat incredibly well. The beat is similar to a trap beat, but there are some elements of drill with the droning bass that goes up and down. But at it’s basis, there is a simple keyboard melody and harmony that goes over an interesting 808 rhythm and drill type bass. There is a sample of an oh type sound that blends really well and doesn't feel overwhelming, though it is present throughout the piece. The overall mood of this song is quite sad because of Anser’s flow and the minor melody.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyglFaKPQ-0
Again, very high quality video. But this song features and focuses on a Greek sounding sample of a high pitched women singing in the beginning. Then, the Bouzouki-based sample from the song is coupled with a boom bap beat and a really intentional + clear bass tone that goes along with the sampled melody like it would in jazz. There is a clear J Dilla influence with the boom bap choice but, the beat is unique because it is very clearly Greek due to the sample. Vevilos has quite an aggressive flow which feels like it directly clashing with the beat but does ride it interestingly. I don’t know if I’m a fan of it. It sounds like he’s yelling which contributes to the aggressive vibe of the song. Coupled with the video, it feels like I'm hearing a man slowly descend into madness repeating the same words and trying to displace his internal torment to the outside world.
The second part of the song becomes even more Greek by taking a Bouzouki riff with a boom-bap beat and subtle bass line. Vevilos’ consistent, never-ending flow still lends to the feeling of watching a man fall into madness. Almost like he’s ranting with a clear flow.
Also a trap beat with some nice 808s, a simple melody, and baseline that adds tension before it builds up to a release back to the melody. Zero-Buzz is legit just riding the beat, changing up his cadence, and not letting his next move be clear. The specific sound used for the melody gives the song a mysterious mood that leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting for the beat to drop. It was quite a short song, but pretty dissimilar to other types of trap I grew up listening to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tb96DSFlmM
This song particularly strikes me because it was the first Greek hip-hop song I listened to before starting this project and it struck me how someone who isn’t typically considered Greek was able to create something that is undeniably Greek. The video features key parts of Greek culture that I’ve seen in just the week I’ve been hear, and the beat samples a Rebetiko bouzouki with some trap drums behind it. In addition, Negros has an incredibly unique flow compared to the other rappers. He has a deep melodic flow, almost akin to some Pop smoke songs. He isn’t necessarily singing, but he connects his words in a fluid way. In addition, his cadence consistently changes which makes you listening out for two he’s going to ride the beat in the next section of the song.