Home / Arts and Entertainment / Midwest Rapper Blends Drain Gang, Milwaukee Beats
Midwest Rapper Blends Drain Gang, Milwaukee Beats
20 Mar
Summary
- Lightris, a Wisconsin artist, merges diverse musical styles.
- His TikTok hit "Kwik Trip" features Midwest gas station culture.
- The track "Up Down" uniquely combines hyperpop with log drums.
Lightris, a rapper-producer from Madison, Wisconsin, is creating a distinctive sound that draws from both Midwest low-end beats and international dance music influences. He is part of the Wisconsin collective Run Along Forever, which includes artists like AyooLii and killdawn.
His recent success includes the TikTok hit "Kwik Trip," a song celebrating the popular Midwest gas station chain, Kwik Trip. The accompanying video features the artist and his collaborator, sero, engaging in popular dance moves.
Another notable track, "Up Down," showcases Lightris's evolving style. The song features a busy beat from producers ekebabyy and Lightris himself. It incorporates elements reminiscent of lockdown-era hyperpop while also introducing surprising log drum sounds, creating a unique auditory experience.
This fusion of styles echoes observations from figures like low-end pioneer Munch Lauren, who noted Milwaukee beats' high energy, and Bladee, who discussed crafting hooks around single words for universal appeal. Lightris's repetitive "Updownupdowupdownupdownupdown" hook in "Up Down" exemplifies this approach.
