I have no problem admitting I’m not a fan of a lot of trap music or artists. The auto-tuned, digitized, hard to understand lean inspired mumblings and ramblings just isn’t my taste. A couple of weeks ago when XXL released a video of a Desiigner freestyle from their Freshman Class 2016, I was captivated. Even though upon my first listen and thinking, “ok, typical mumblings”, there was a rhythmic hum like chant that pulled me in and seemed familiar to me.
Desiigner has now released a full track for his Timmy Turner freestyle.
After listening then going back and listening to the XXL video again; I realized why it seems familiar to me. Here’s is where you’ll think I’m probably crazy. Desiigner’s acappella freestyle for Timmy Turner reminds me of traditional African tribal chants in addition to chain gang prison songs from America’s Jim Crow era. Check out these two examples below but keep in mind I’m not saying these songs sound exactly alike but Timmy Turner somehow puts me in that musical mindset.
Listen to this chain gang prison song “I’m Goin’ Home”.
Now listen to this African song / chant by the Basotho men of Lesotho.
Do you hear what I hear or do you think I’m off base? Either way, Timmy Turner is a dope ass track.
:ravetho: I wanna TRY to give it a chance now that you gave it meaning with your interpretation.
Let's see :reallytho:
@Ockydub Im not big on trap music either and if this young man dont slow his party juice & drug roll, he not going to be with us long. However, his rap vocal style does contain elements of the chain gang prison song and a kind of ebonically fueled Gregorian chanting that is addictively melodic. I see what Kanye saw in him artistically and rappers like him are intricate to the future evolution of rap music…
The thing I took from this song is if he were just a singer I think I could potentially get into him more because his vocal chords are actually not bad at all. But I cannot think of him as a serious rapper hahaha
This is a good observation that a lot of people are making.
Also the covers of this song… OMFG to die for.
Chloe & Halle Flex Their Vocal Range On Desiigner's "Timmy Turner"
I think the fact that these girls can cover the song lets you know that it was sung in the first place. Chanting is literally talk singing..and very few rappers have melodic voices.
and btw I have two friends that find him so attractive and would let him do explicit things to them. I don't get that either?
Nawwww I get that. I find him semi-attractive. Not really sure what it is. My friend who's in Korea said he was hot when she first saw him.
Did you see this animated lyrics video @Ockydub ?
Well isn't this just interesting and creepy.
I totally agree with you. I goggled “Timmy Turner African tribal sounds” and found your blog/article. You hit it right on the head.