Here Ya Go by Fukkit (3.5/5)

Must Hear Tracks: “30” “Nip Tuck” “Just Shut the Fuck Up for Once, Please. . . Holy Shit”

“I don’t even need a pen, just adrenaline,” Fukkit declares on his track, “Airplane Mode.” It’s a fitting way to describe his approach; his quicksilver, staccato delivery sounds spontaneous and full of youth. Despite his strong presence on the mic, he keeps a rather low profile. On Instagram there are only a handful of photos of him. Most posts are Soundcloud screenshots, concert information, or memes. The strategy implies a focus on the music, which is a surprising contrast to fellow Soundcloud rappers Lil Pump and 6ix9ine, who have built their careers on aesthetic (or ESKETTIT, in Pump’s case). Fukkit doesn’t need colorful hair and face tattoos to stand out, though. He promotes his music rather than himself because he can rap circles around his contemporaries. Here Ya Go, Fukkit’s first set of music available on Spotify, is actually a sampling of tracks from his Soundcloud released over the last 3 years. Most tracks were dropped during the second half of 2017, but “30” is from back in 2015. Regardless of the patchwork nature of Here Ya Go, Fukkit sounds dynamic and completely at ease throughout.

A stylistic descendent of Denzel Curry, Fukkit embodies the aggressive Miami trap sound. He augments more than he imitates, though. Rather than stealing the scream-rap hybrid that Curry demonstrates so well on “Ultimate,” he uses it as a foundation for his own rhythmically varied style. Fukkit cites System of a Down and Disturbed as some of his earliest favorite bands, but he also mentions Tame Impala and Toro y Moi. His wide-ranging influences come through on Here Ya Go, which is occasionally relaxed but is usually closer to his hard rock roots. On “30,” Fukkit is laid back, playfully bragging about Xannies and money (“fuck you talkin’ like you got it, money shorter than a hobbit”) over a latin-tinged beat. After that, the claws really come out. “Airplane Mode” is slick and verbose: “Flow crack eggs hot as sunny-side Benedict / I’m about to hit you with a hard sedative” he raps, with a tone that remarkably conveys a smirk and a scowl in equal measure. On “Another Day” he says that “no one’s safe,” and the bodies “drop like NASDAQ stock” on “Las Ovejas Mueren.” Then there’s “Nip Tuck,” which some avid tweeters might recognize as the song from that really weird Spongebob edit. Mild viral fame aside, his line about 6ix9ine being a “class clown” with an “underage bitch” is Grade-A beef.

The first four tracks on Here Ya Go leave little to be desired, but the most unexpected display of his prowess comes last. The track, titled “Just Shut the Fuck Up for Once, Please . . . Holy Shit,” is 1:31 of verbal gymnastics in the vein of “Whoa” by Earl Sweatshirt. Lines bleed into one another (pun intended), and the only thing clear by the end is that Fukkit can flow. It bridges the gap between technically weak Soundcloud rap and complex 90s boom-bap so thoroughly that it actually raises the bar for everyone else. It wraps up the set on the strongest note possible, and proves Fukkit has the skills to transform and transcend his genre.

Clocking in at 12 minutes, Here Ya Go is a short, sweet sampling of what Fukkit is capable of. Even if the subject matter never deviates from braggadocio and drug use, there’s an energetic spirit that permeates the entirety of the release. From the consistently entertaining vocals to the varied beats (courtesy of Captain Crunch, BLVC SVND, MK Ultra, and Clipped), Here Ya Go is a top-to-bottom enjoyable set. It is effortless to play, and effortless to replay. It’s apparent that Fukkit can flaunt tongue twisting technique without sacrificing catchiness. There simply isn’t enough material for Here Ya Go to be perfect, but it is a perfect introduction for a rapper poised to make waves in the endless sea of Soundcloud rappers.

Sources: 30 Lyrics. Nip Tuck Lyrics. Airplane Mode Lyrics. Pigeons and Planes Interview. Fukkit Instagram Page. Fukkit Soundcloud Page. Youtube Link to Spongebob Edit.

Original Soundcloud Links: 30, Airplane Mode, Las Ovejas Mueren, Nip Tuck, Just Shut The Fuck Up For Once, Please… Holy Shit