Lil Peep HHV Records 11 Items

Emo-Rap and Taboo-Breaking

During his brief career that spanned only a few years, and before his tragic death at the age of 21, Lil Peep achieved what only a few rappers manage: he became a trailblazer for a new direction in hip-hop and, for a while, the face of an entire youth movement. Gustav Elijah Åhr was born in Pennsylvania, but at the age of 20, he moved to Los Angeles for his rap career. The American-Swedish loner struggled with social interactions, preferring online friendships. He recorded his emotional rap songs in the comfort of his own home and then posted them on the Internet. In the underground scene, his first EP, Lil Peep; Part One, in 2015, was already making waves. Tracks like Star Shopping gained attention, especially among teenagers, creating a unique atmosphere – Lil Peep found his first fans on Soundcloud. The young artist paved a new way to talk about personal demons, anxiety disorders, depression, drug abuse, and loneliness. The use of samples from alternative rock and shoegaze, combined with trap-oriented beats, gave rise to a new hype that soon claimed the name Emo Rap, where taboo topics were openly addressed not only by Lil Peep but also by musicians like XXXTentacion and Lil Uzi Vert in their lyrics.

One Like Kurt Cobain

Starting in 2016, Lil Peep joined the Los Angeles-based group GothBoiClique, and features from his emo colleagues appeared on the mixtape Crybaby, released in the summer of the same year. The authenticity found in his lyrics, amidst guitar-based samples from indie and punk genres, fascinated teenagers even outside the United States. In early 2017, he embarked on his first solo tour around the world, bringing Emo-Rap to Paris, Berlin, Manchester, and even Warsaw. “I’m making music to cry to,” he openly states on Crybaby, and the often isolating time of adolescence is also reflected on the legendary mixtape sequel Hellboy. Lil Peep is frequently compared to icons like Kurt Cobain and Lou Reed in terms of melodies, themes, and worldview, creating a consensus with music that exposes the darkness within oneself and creates a timeless depiction of humanity. After finishing his tour, he moved to London in 2017 and recorded two albums. However, just three months after the release of Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1, he died in November of the same year due to a drug overdose – a dangerous mix of Fentanyl and Xanax.

A Rapper on New Ground

Lil Peep’s tragic career ending led to several posthumous releases. In 2018, his second album, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2, dealing with heartbreak and addiction, was released and reached number 4 on the charts in the USA. Additionally, a series of collaborative EPs with Harry Fraud, Meeting by Chance, and ILOVEMAKONNEN, recorded before Peep’s death, were released. However, his absence left a void in the Emo Rap community. Copied by Soundcloud rappers worldwide, Lil Peep reshaped the genre in the few years of his career, giving hip-hop a new sound. His influence proved that music genres can be fluid, and especially rap constantly needs new influences from various styles to grow as an art form. Lil Peep became an icon – ultimately, the transitions between alternative rock and rap in his tracks are seamless. And the rapper was well aware that he was on new ground during his lifetime: “No one’s ever been in this genre before, so I couldn’t really compare it to anything from the past. I’m excited to find out.” The premature end of the young legend is all the more regrettable.