The Hilt's "Drill Joint": A Perfect Example of How Drill Music Transcends Borders
Chicago Drill meets UK Drill meets Japanese Drill
The Hilt's latest single "Drill Joint" is a perfect example of how drill music transcends borders. Produced by Monsieur Jovoni, the song blends the busy energy of Chicago drill with the dark pianos and heavy 808s of UK drill. J the Protagonist attacks it ferociously. Not to mention Kraftykid, The Hilt's resident Brit. Additionally, the song adds a Japanese twist with Neku, The Hilt's only Japanese rapper, bringing the flavour of Japanese drill.
The hook of the song, delivered by Monsieur Jovoni, is reminiscent of Chief Keef's vibe on 'Faneto' or 'Don't Like,' with its heavy synths, while the verse element of the beat is reminiscent of Zone 2 or 98s. The energy of the song is palpable, and it's easy to get lost in the catchy bars and head-bobbing beats.
Neku's verse adds a unique twist to the song, with lyrics in Japanese that add to the international feel of the track. The verse is followed by J the Protagonist, whose lyrics are delivered with confidence and swagger. Kraftykid's verse follows suit, showcasing his ability to weave words and create vivid imagery.
Kraftykid then delivers the catchy refrain before spraying a breathless onslaught, giving the track that UK stamp of approval. The refrain, adding to the overall catchiness of the song, is a call to action, encouraging listeners to stay strong and not fold under pressure. Because The Hilt certainly won't be. En garde!
Artwork
The cover, depicting Tutenkhamun represents our identity as the original people and gods among men. It symbolizes our deep connection to our ancestry and heritage, and our unwavering pride in who we are.
Moral
Overall, "Drill Joint" is an international drill anthem that blends the best of Chicago, UK, and Japanese drill. It's a perfect example of how music can transcend borders and bring people from all over the world together. While the artwork is a powerful representation of the black experience and what it means to be black in today's world. It serves as a reminder of the challenges we face, the strength of our community, and the importance of staying rooted in our identity and culture.
See the amazing music video below directed by Emma Ingeborg Sundin.
‘Creepypasta’: The Haunting Collaboration between Kraftykid and LEEYVNG
How the collab came about
Are you ready for the best UK x JPN drill collab, Kraftykid & LEEYVNG? These two stars are bringing Creepypasta straight to your table! LEEYVNG is also known as Jinmenusagi when on the mic, but here he flexes his ability to produce gritty UK Drill beats.
Jinmenusagi & Kraftykid have collabed on the Tsumetai Sekai EP, produced by ghostpops. They’ve also got music on Kraftykid’s highly anticipated Away Games II set to release later this year.
Maurice
This song, equipped with a music video below, explores the three wise monkeys, also known as the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys—a cultural icon originating from Japan. The concept features three monkeys, each covering one of their senses (eyes, ears, and mouth) to symbolize the idea of "not seeing evil, not hearing evil, and not speaking evil", as heard in the chorus of Maurice.
This symbol represents the ancient Japanese Buddhist principle of "shin-zen-bi," which encourages people to focus on the positive and avoid negativity by not engaging with or spreading evil thoughts. "Don't touch my soul with dirty hands", Kraftykid raps. The three monkeys serve as a reminder to practice this philosophy in daily life, promoting ethical behaviour and encouraging people to maintain a pure heart.
In modern times, the three wise monkeys have become a popular cultural symbol, appearing in a wide range of media, from art to advertising. The image is often used to express the idea of turning a blind eye to negative events or avoiding conflict, and it remains a powerful symbol of virtuous behaviour.
On the flip side, it also represents the no-snitch culture that is so highly regarded in rap yet seldom upheld in practice.
Wrong Team Freestyle
In this soliloquy, Hackney-born, Tokyo-based artist Kraftykid reflects on the experiences that have shaped him into the person he is today, all over LEEYVNG's aggressive drill beat. These 80 bars are a deep dive into the mind of K—his thoughts on everything from the changes in his hometown to the challenges he's faced along the way as a rapper.
Kraftykid opens the verse by reflecting on his 20-something years of living in East London, which served as the source of his inspiration. He goes on to describe himself as a “caped crusader without no Batgun,” a metaphor for his self-reliance and D.I.Y approach to life.
He takes a light-hearted jab at the state of the American Dream, and the impact of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel “The Great Gatsby.” He also touches on the dark side of the entertainment industry, where even the death of a pornstar is met with a perverted form of celebration. Damn.
In the verse, Kraftykid also acknowledges the challenges he's faced in his career, including the pressure to be constantly creative and the difficulties he's experienced with his writing, which caused him to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome at one point in time. He laments the loss of the black community in his area due to gentrification. “I can't afford me a yard in my hometown, that's unfair,” he raps.
The verse ends with Kraftykid sharing his thoughts on relationships and the importance of respect over love. He concludes by paying homage to Kyushu where he lived when he first moved to Japan.
Overall, this rap verse by Kraftykid is a powerful testament to the artist's life and experiences, showcasing his resilience, determination, and creativity.
Artwork
As a visual artist, I have always been drawn to the strange and unusual. So when it comes to artwork reflecting dark music such as UK drill, I knew exactly what direction I wanted to take. I was inspired by the eerie elements of creepypasta lore, specifically Slenderman and Siren Head, and the unsettling nature of weirdcore aesthetic. The end result is a haunting representation of an abandoned cabin with a beat-up couch out front, all set against a twisted inverted colour palette that speaks to the controversial themes explored on this project. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to bring my unique vision to life for this tape, and I hope it will leave a lasting impression on those who see it.
Moral
If Citytrap was the yang to Kraftykid’s mind, Creepypasta is definitely the yin. Both sonic palettes exist within the artist who’s not afraid to dabble in different genres. An advocate for the mood-based music model that the industry is finally moving towards, as opposed to the dated genre-based. Humans are multi-faceted and musicians should not be exempt from that.