SpaceKees
Wry, eccentric Dutch rap over warm jazz-flecked beats. A master of the deadpan flow and self-deprecating humor for rainy days and late nights.
Wry, eccentric Dutch rap over warm jazz-flecked beats. A master of the deadpan flow and self-deprecating humor for rainy days and late nights.
SpaceKees, born Kees van den Assem, is a foundational figure in the second wave of Dutch hip-hop (Nederhop), specifically associated with the Amersfoort scene and the Noah's Ark label orbit. His sound identity is defined by a collaboration-heavy approach, most notably with producer Terilekst, whose soulful, sample-heavy production perfectly complements Kees's conversational and often absurdist lyrical style.
Emerging in the early 2000s, he moved away from the hardcore rap tropes of the 90s toward a more 'alternative' or 'art-rap' sensibility that prioritized humor, vulnerability, and jazz-influenced aesthetics. His career arc saw him transition from the cult success of 'SpaceKees & Terilekst' to solo ventures like 'Meer Ruimte,' which further explored his eccentric persona. Critically, he is respected for his unique flow and his ability to maintain a 'cool' factor while being openly nerdy or self-critical. He remains a key link between the traditional boom-bap era and the more experimental, personality-driven Dutch rap of the 2010s.
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop, pop rap (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop, pop rap (subgenres); playful, wistful, confident (moods)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop, pop rap (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop, pop rap (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style); boom bap, abstract hip-hop (subgenres)
Shares boom bap, deadpan, pop rap, abstract hip-hop (signature)
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