If You Love Drill, Read This…..
If you know then you know, right. Drill music with its gritty lyrics, controversial subject matter and menacing style has been steadily growing in popularity. Why? Because it’s fu*kn Dope that’s why, lol. But seriously, the rise of Drill
is evident with both US and UK drill artists increasingly collaborating with mainstream artists, for example the recent track City of Gods by Fivio Foreign & Kanye West Featuring Alicia Keys. Who would have thought we’d see Fivio with Alicia Keys on a track anytime soon. That being said, the track is ok, Fivio laid his versus as he does impeccably, Kanye was Kanye, but I wasn’t feeling the hook. However, 8M views in just over a month say otherwise. Another example of mainstream artist collaborations comes from the UK and this track I rate as a banger and whether or not your a Drake fan or not, he showed out on this track going hundy on the beat. The ‘Only You Freestyle with the self-confessed King of UK drill Headie One. Now, this track is fire, both these men absolutely killed it. If you ain’t heard it here’s the link, take a listen comment below. Headie One x Drake — Only You Freestyle
With well established mainstream artists in collaboration with popular drill artists, it is foreseeable that it’s just a matter of time before we see drill tracks appearing within the billboard Hot 100. However, the question that comes to mind is whether or not a move to the mainstream will be change a few of the fundamental factors which make drill unique. Can the mainstreamer’s handle the rawness and energy of drill. I wonder if the essence of drill, which of course is “drilling’s” with a sprinkle of trapping on top, will some how be diluted?. Given, mainstream appeal tends to come with a more vanilla approach when censorship and radio play become a consideration. I fu*ckn hope not. For drill to be drill it needs that energy, authenticity, dope beats and of course BARS. If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. I believe drill can be mainstream, yet retain it’s identity.
One of the signals that shows drill is not only alive and well but flourishing is its prevalence across the world. From its origins in Chicago we have witnessed drill spread like the gospel. From the UK streets of London’s ends, to the boroughs of New York, drill has found an urban foothold. We are now seeing artists from Ireland, New Zealand and Australia producing great drill music. Australian groups such as ONEFOUR have been doing some big numbers on YouTube with their 2019 track “The Message” racking up over 15M views. This is one of the reasons I love drill. Drill is more than just music, it’s a culture and like any culture it has its own diversities. From region to region there are of course differences both obvious and subtle. However, there are some major similarities. I put these down to the influence largely followed artists and groups have on one another. It’s like cross-pollination, artists borrow what we will term “the goodness” and repurpose it to their own style, flow, beats and bars, evolving the drill sound regionally. Watching this take place over the last few years has been a blessing for my ear drums.
New York — Brooklyn and the Bronx Drill is Killing It
Another example of the cross pollination to which I speak of is the prevalence of what many consider UK style beats with heavy 808 percussion featuring in many slightly older and current NYDRILL bangers. I have to say this change up has worked well the songs coming out of New York are lit ASF. I can’t stress that enough. A lot of the credit for this innovation in Drill is of course down to both the UK producers, Beat merchants and of course Pop Smoke, the icon.
Pop Smoke was one of the early pioneers of this sound who became an icon may he rest in peace. Pop Smoke opened the door and paved the way for artists like Dusty Locane, Sheff G and Fivio Foreign. I personally rate all three of these men in my top 25, and I know 25 is a large number. It has to be, cos there are so so many dope Drill artists. I also have to talk on, Bronx Drill which has been blowing up lately. Ron Suno, Sha EK, DThang and Kay Flock have been holding the Bronx down in terms of its rising popularity. I just hope the street beef’s dont get out of hand like they did during 2021 with so many falling. Live by the gun, die by the gun. I hope all these talented artists make the move towards their music. When you’ve done your dirt in the street and come from the gutter NO CAP you deserve to make it out.
With that said, below is a list of 10 NY Drill artists and tracks in no particular order that you should know or need to know. This will include current and older tracks as well. In all honesty these are really just my favourites but I’m sure you’ll agree they are all FIRE. I have included Bronx and Brooklyn drill in this list otherwise I’d have 50 videos in this blog, even though they probably deserve their own individual lists which I will get to at a later date.
I also want to acknowledge that some of these artists do beef with one another, however, this list is purely about their musical prowess and I’m sitting on the fence cos they are all hard ASF music wise. Gang, gang gang.
New York Drill songs that are DOPE
10. DUSTY LOCANE — ROLLIN N CONTROLLIN FREESTYLE (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaNL4YI3wt4
Brooklyn Drill at it’s finest. Someone told me he was Pop Smokes Cousin which I’m not sure about but they both have a flow that seems to ride beats in a smooth effortless manner. And I have to admit they do sound similar, no disrespect. Watch Dusty Locane he will do massive things in the near future.
9. FIVIO FOREIGN — BIG DRIP (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3eAb4l38Y
74,405,906 views Say’s it all. This track is over 2 years old and you’ve probably been living under a rock if you ain’t been drilly bopping to this one. I know it’s dated but I still listen to this track and love it. Big shout out to Fivio and please keep dropping new music. He’s a unique talent, and the classic A, A, AAAA adlib is tough as sh*t.
8. Kay Flock — Is Ya Ready (shot by KLO Vizionz)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGJS8W9emac
22,425,163 views Currently there is a bit of back and forth between Kay Flock and Ron Suno regarding who put Bronx Drill on the map. I’ll leave that between them, all I can say again is they both great artists and make good music. Nuff Said.
7. Ron Suno & DUSTY LOCANE — Grabba (Remix) (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8FKfmnCyY0
This is one of those song’s that is Tik Tok, two-step, worthy, lol. Ron and Dusty are like a match made in heaven, they definitely need to keep collaborating on tracks. This one bumps. Shot in what look likes times square, it shows how much love these men are getting in the big apple.
6. DThang Gz — Scene ( Favourite currently)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaNL4YI3wt4
I have been playing this song on repeat daily. It’s got energy that will make you grab your phone and record yourself for a tik tok, whether you’ve got the nuts to post, is up to you. I’m just trying to point out that this song will have your head bobbing like your name was Super-head, yawl know what I mean. A true drill track if you catch the bars.
5. Sha EK Feat. Blockwork — D&D ( Official Music Video )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU7e-M_fYQo
The bars in this one and the title of the track talk too what goes on in Sha Ek’s world. That’s the genre and that’s the life. This is what I mean about authenticity. No judgement here, you got to do what you got to do. I love this track too. Its hard, the 808’s kick like a shaolin grand master on a eight ball of coke. Listen to it NOW if you ain’t heard it and tell me I’m lying. Fark OFF, LOL.
4. 22Gz “Sniper Gang Freestyle” (WSHH Exclusive — Official Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W1Wy00KVhg
Now I know this track is a little over 3 years old but I don’t care, its fire still. The beat is murderous and just takes you to that place I know all drill heads go too. You know the place where your demons hang out, making you feel that type of way where you were allegedly seen fleeing from the scene of a violent crime but had a have a solid alibi so charges get dropped. Again you know what I’m saying, this track has DARK ENERGY, but I love it.
3. B Lovee “IYKYK” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUzuaBqufo
This track is smooth ASF. One of tracks that makes you reflect on stuff you done or been through both good and bad. This song makes my mind wonder. B Lovee is a good artist I hope to hear more from him for a long damn time.
2. Sheff G — No Suburban, Pt. 2 (Official Video Release)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrT0kdkGcc
Firstly, free up the mandem, I hope to Sheff G back soon. An oldie but a goodie. Another pioneer of the NYDRILL style. Hard beats and a sick flow. The Sheff is cooking in the kitchen like a five star Michelin. He’s a real one. As an artist he has so so many bangers which could be on a list of their own.
1. Sleepy Hallow ft. Fousheé — Deep End Freestyle (Official Video Release)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jma9h7GgQSk
Sleepy Hallow is different. I love the tracks and work he’s done with the Sheff himself. Another dynamic duo, but they both Batman, no robbing, lol. The sample courtesy of Foushee on this track is nice. It gives this track a different feel and it is one of those songs you never get tired of putting on.
Bonus inclusion Pop Smoke — Fire In The Booth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJUK2HFizOc
I couldn’t leave the immortal Pop Smoke out of this list. The man did huge things in such a small amount of time. Imagine what he would have done. The sound, the beats, bars and style of the man was immeasurable.
Summary
A big shout out to all the artists mentioned. Honourable mentions to all the Chicago drill rappers for starting this sh*t. I am forever grateful. Also want to acknowledge again how sh*t it is when a dope artist is lost to the game. The drill lifestyle is a dangerous one, but the more people that support the music the more likely its is that dope artists can transition away from being collateral damage and realize success and longevity. Where you come from will always be where came from, where you go is up too you. I guess what I’m saying is a real one will always be a real one. Food for thought.
Please comment and if possible share or direct people to this blog. If you have a topic request, holla at me at info@trapsavage.com
This blog is courtesy TRAP SAVAGE STREETWEAR the finest in Trap clothing and Drill inspired streetwear go check them out.