I have been listening to the rap group—I mean boyband—Brockhampton for several months now; they are the future. Founded by the rising star Kevin Abstract, Brockhampton is a rap group and/or boyband that prides itself on its individuality. The group members met each other online via a Kanye West forum, and some of them had not even considered music as a career path, with Kevin being the only member with a significant prior musical career. The majority of the members were flat-out broke, and many of the members deal with past issues including hard drug use and addiction, and crime; however, these elements all combine to make their music shine.
The music Brockhampton creates is music that everyone should be able to celebrate. It represents young people getting out of their troubled past and instead pursuing art. The members packed up their things and moved in together in a tiny house near Los Angeles, California and began to crank out music. After they released their first project “All American Trash” they took a short break and came back to create the Saturation Trilogy (consisting of Saturation I, II, and III). The name accomplishes exactly was it means: they released all three taps in rapid succession (under one year) and quiet literally saturated the world with their music. They went from being an unknown, indie rap group to being undeniable and in your face with their sound. Their funky, eccentric production and edgy, heart-touching lyrics were not going to go unnoticed and they gained traction quicker than any other artist I have ever seen before.
With every track they create the listeners are able to delve a little deeper into their pasts and the hardships they have had to endure. Lines like “my mom’s an alcoholic she just wants to drown her sorrows / love her to death one day I’m going to give back all I borrow,” “Why you always rap about bein' gay? 'Cause not enough niggas rap and be gay. Where I come from, niggas get called "faggot" and killed. So I'ma get head from a nigga right here. And they can come and cut my hand off and, and my legs off. And I'ma still be a boss 'til my head gone, yeah,” and “I ain't under control, I'm losin' motor function. I need an intervention, I need an exorcism. I need a therapist, paranoia and drug addiction. It's very scary, my momma don't even recognize me” give Brockhampton a relatable edginess that is rare in todays music. These guys are not afraid to be brutally honest, and sometimes it seems as though they try to force you out of your comfort zone to gain some perspective.
Ultimately, Brockhampton represents the hustle, the grind, and the hope that rap music embodies. And I for one absolutely love it.
