It’s rare that you find an artist who does fluidity so well but KaMillion, living up to her name, excels at almost every aspect of the music industry.
Lil Peep, born Gustav Åhr, known for blending an emo rock style with rap, died late Wednesday night before a show in Tucson, Arizona. He was 21.
Born November 1, 1996 in Pennsylvania, Åhr was raised by his mother in Long Island, New York. At age 15, Åhr dropped out of high school and earned his diploma online. Åhr remained extremely close to his mother throughout his life. At 17, he moved to Los Angeles with his friends.
For V Magazine. [photo by Mario Testino]
His first mixtape, released in 2015, was called Lil Peep Part One. Later in 2015, Åhr dropped Feelz and Live Forever. The following year was his breakout year, with two mixtapes entitled Crybaby and Hellboy, released in June and September, respectively. Come Over When You’re Sober (Part I) dropped August 15 of this year.
Throughout summer 2017, Åhr released a number of music videos for “Benz Truck”, “Awful Things”, “Backseat”, “Girls”, “White Wine”, “Gym Class”, “Beamerboy”, “Drugz”, “Live Forever”, “California World”, “Your Eyes”, and “White Tee”. “The Brightside”, the second single from Come Over When You’re Sober (Part I), dropped its music video in late July and can be watched below.
His Instagram and Twitter nameplates read GOTH ANGEL SINNER. Lil Peep maintained his image of a lovable, comical cynic. His music is fueled with angst, loss, and the incredible weight of sadness, but driven by hard-hitting mainstream beats, appealing to all tastes of music.
Åhr was vocal about his struggle with depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and suicidal tendencies in his music and in interviews. He regularly referred to his various usage of drugs, including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, and anti-anxiety medication Xanax. In an interview with High Snobiety, he said, “I go through a lot…and [what] I write about in my music is real.” He became an image of someone struggling but prospering, creating music with his loyal “Gothboiclique” – his collective group of friends, including his closest, Lil Tracy, with whom he shares two tracks (Castles and Castles II).
Åhr utilized his Twitter to communicate with fans, drop music, and otherwise weigh in on popular issues. But he also used it to share his darker thoughts without hesitation. On his birthday, Nov 1, he tweeted:
On October 24:
On social issues:
And various retweets of dog videos sent by his fans. Lil B mentioned in his condolence tweet that Åhr was vocal against the “sexual abuse of women and people in the music industry,” and that Lil B would do his best to continue the awareness.
Åhr announced also through Twitter that he intended to drop his own clothing line, having shown his interest and dedication to fashion. He recently did a shoot for Vogue, which he tweeted this picture of:
Lil Peep walking for Vogue in Milan.
His death rocked even the most veteran of rappers, all of whom supported his craft and his uniqueness. Twitter flooded this morning with condolences from a range of celebrities, including Post Malone, Lil Yachty, Bella Thorne, Ty Dolla $ign, Charli XCX, Sam Smith, and Pete Wentz. He performed in New York City on October 31, and would have continued his Come Over When You’re Sober tour through December.
[via Edward Berthelot/Getty Images, GQ]
Åhr leaves behind a legacy of complete autonomy, presenting the truest version of himself through music and otherwise. His contributions to post-hardcore rock, lo-fi rap, and melodic hip hop are significant and pivotal for the future of music. Moreover, his upfront nature about his mental illnesses opened many doors for possible discussion and intellectual discourse about these issues that are often considered taboo. Our thoughts are with Åhr’s mother, his friends, and his fans at this difficult time, and we thank him for the art he shared with us in his short life.
[via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, Insider]
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Half of Us
- Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741741
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- The Recovery Village: 1-844-229-2468
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Teen Line: 1-310-855-HOPE (4673) or 1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336)
A poster at a candlelight vigil for Åhr in Tompkins Square Park, Nov. 15. [photo by Carlos Doce]
Kota the friend is the number one artist to watch out for in 2017.
300 entertainment is known for churning out some of the biggest names in hip-hop right now. Migos, London On Da Track, and many more artist who have changed the digital landscape of 2017. We owe thanks to Kevin Liles, world renowned business man, entrepreneur and co-founder of 300 entertainment.
Caleb Brown is making a name for himself. The Louisiana rapper has gained a large following on Soundcloud while his music videos have been making huge waves across the internet. Best known for his lyricism and socially conscious music, Caleb is the perfect new age rapper. We caught up with him to hear more about the release of his new EP All Dawgs Go to Heaven 2.
On growing up in Louisiana:
“Growing up it was real regular like as a child we got into childish mischief or whatever. We had are ups and downs and it wasn’t until we got older and started figuring out life is real,there’s consequences to my every action. It was fun.”
On how is upbringing influenced the album:
“Seeing a lot of my friends die, a lot of my friends go to jail, a lot of people that were in the neighborhood, just influential people from the area. I was like I want something more out of my life and I know other people do to. That was my whole inspiration.”
On the creative process behind the album:
“Took me a little bit like a year and some change to record it. I recorded a lot of it in my bedroom and collaborated with the producers than we went back over it and mixed and mastered it, it was a fun.”
What track from All Dawgs Go To Heaven, he has the most personal connection with:
“’36 Chambers’ featuring RyaN Jéy, because that really sums up the whole project being that’s one of my big homies we’ve both seen loses and we both understand that concept growing up, that song was just meant to happen.”
What the album symbolizes:
“Getting freedom, because you get so much pressure of your chest, you get to move on beyond things and start to move on. Try and get past a lot of my friends dying, I’m living there life for them since they didn’t get to.”
One thing I notice about your music compared to other soundcloud artists who may rap about Xanax or lean, you are very political and introspective, can you speak to that?
“Because it’s really happening to us. It’s happening to them so it’s just a different perspective. It’s cool what they’re doing but it’s really happening to us and somebody has to talk about it. Let’s talk about something that’s really happening.”
What do you want the world to know about Caleb Brown:
“I’m from the South. And people don’t know that based on the way I talk but I’m definitely from the south, dirty south. And there’s more people like me.”
On upcoming projects:
“I’m going on tour with Jaren Benton this summer. It starts June 28th! I’m looking forward to it”
Slaughter gang enthusiasts were vigorously muscling their way through the venue trying to get as close to the stage as possible – before they could even grab an energy drink.
“That’s kind of why my music is kind of genreless cause we really don’t put it in a box.”
On Sunday, October 30th, Christian rapper Lecrae brought his ‘Destination Tour’ to NYC to bond with fans and promote involvement in Food For the Hungry, an NPO that strives towards eradicating human poverty.
On Monday (Aug. 8th), NYC’s Snoop Dogg fans were invited to the Highline Ballroom to spectate as he sat down with Elliot Wilson as part of the latest installment to his #CRWN series.