Smokingskul, born Elijah Faustin, is a pivotal figure in the post-2020 SoundCloud underground rap movement. While born in Sweden, his sound is deeply rooted in the American underground, specifically influenced by the DMV and Florida scenes.
His career trajectory shifted significantly in 2022 when he gained major traction on SoundCloud, leading to a signing with Simple Stupid Records under Geffen. His sound identity is defined by the 'punch-in' recording style, where lyrics are recorded bar-by-bar to create a dense, high-impact vocal layer. Musically, he is a primary exponent of 'dark plugg,' a subgenre that takes the melodic foundations of plugg music and infuses it with darker, more aggressive, and often distorted elements. He frequently collaborates with a tight-knit circle of producers including tdf and perc40, whose minimalist yet heavy production styles complement his abrasive delivery. Critical consensus views him as a prolific workhorse of the underground, valued for his consistency and his ability to capture a specific late-night, high-tension atmosphere.
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); aggressive, restless, confident (moods)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); lo_fi, minimalist, bedroom_production (production style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); urban_night, basement_show, late_night (atmosphere)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); rap, intense, processed (vocal style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); lo_fi, minimalist, bedroom_production (production style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); lo_fi, minimalist, bedroom_production (production style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); lo_fi, minimalist, bedroom_production (production style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); lo_fi, minimalist, bedroom_production (production style)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); urban_night, basement_show, late_night (atmosphere)
Shares trap, cloud rap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); urban_night, basement_show, late_night (atmosphere)
Shares cloud rap, minimalist, abstract hip-hop, trap (signature)
Shares cloud rap, abstract hip-hop, trap, bedroom_production (signature)
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