The Milwaukee Hip Hop scene absolutely thrived in 2023. So many rappers from the city made a name for themselves and had viral moments last year, putting more eyes on the Hip Hop scene in the city than ever. It has been so fun for me to cover the progress of the artists from Milwaukee, and it is awesome to see the city starting to get the recognition it deserves. Arguably, no rapper from Milwaukee had a bigger 2023 than Myaap. She was definitely one the hottest rappers on the come-up last year, racking up tons of views on TikTok. She has even had multiple celebrities make videos of them dancing to her music, and she has been recognized by a couple of popular national music publications as one of Rap music’s exciting new stars. It is very easy to see why is popping off so much right now when you listen to her music. Myaap makes infectious, catchy anthems. Her music absolutely embodies the rowdy energy of being in Milwaukee. Myaap has not been making music for very long, but she has been very prolific in her releases since she started. Since late 2022, Myaap has dropped over ten singles, including the iconic tracks ‘Wham’ and ‘Party Crackin.’ In addition to all of these singles, she dropped two projects in 2023, an EP called No Guarntee Vol. 1 and an album called Worth The Wait. Myaap is already trying to capitalize on her momentum from 2023, as she just dropped her first project of 2024, titled BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE. With all of that being said, this is how I feel about this new project from Myaap! Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite songs are from BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE, and also comment on how you feel about it as a whole.
Myaap gets BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE on a foreboding and enormous note with the song ‘All White Benz.’ This song is driven by a triumphant synth-driven melody that almost has a church-organ sound to it. It honestly makes me think of the bells that play at the church on a cold Christmas even night. The organ-esque quality of the melody fades in and out, with the melody having an almost metallic feeling at some points in the track. This makes the melody feel retro and modern at the same time; somehow this melody makes me think of early 2010s Trap music by artists like Rick Ross, but still feels so current. This melody is put on top of a sludgy, tough Trap beat with a ton of force that matches the anxious quality of the melody so well and really makes ‘All White Benz’ hit hard. ‘Myaap’s vocal performance on this track is just as tough as the instrumental. The matches the energy of the instrumental so well, giving ‘All White Benz’ a larger-than-life feeling. ‘All White Benz’ is a great way to start this project, as get BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE going in such a thumping manner. ‘Smackin’ is a with a sound that is just as thrilling as the song that precedes it. The melody for this track honestly almost reminds me of the music one would play during a chase scene in a Thriller or horror movie; this intricate melody is scary and fun at the same time, putting the listener through a wide range of emotions that is exhilarating. ‘Smackin’ has a fast-paced and rough beat that goes so nicely with this uneasy melody. The beat for ‘Smackin’ is elaborate and super rugged, giving this track a nasty feeling that makes it so entertaining. Myaap’s vocal performance is light and smooth, creating a juxtaposition with the rugged nature of the beat and driving the song along nicely. ‘Smackin’ is a bold banger with a ton of pent energy that will pump anyone up when they hear it. ‘Sha’Carri’ is the most menacing and severe song on the project to this point. This song has a song that makes me think of early 2010s Chicago Drill music. When I hear this one, I think of some of the music Chief Keef and Lil Reese made popular back in the day. The melody for this one is driven by an intimidating and ruthless piano riff that sounds like it is being played on an out-of-tune piano very belligerently. This piano riff is complemented by metallic synths in the background that add to the looming feeling of the melody. The beat for ‘Sha’Carri’ is super boisterous and fierce, going so well with the melody and making the song feel so huge. Myaap’s rap performance on this track is just as vigorous as the instrumental. The enormous energy of ‘Sha’Carri’ is definitely escalated through Myaap’s spirited vocal performance on this track. ‘Sha’Carri’ is a hot-blooded banger with a retro Drill music element that I enjoy so much.
‘I Ain’t Hidin,’ which features Mg Sleepy, was the only single released in anticipation of this project. This song is already starting to go viral, and I am not surprised by that in the slightest. This is an upbeat and entertaining banger with the kind of energy that will get any club jumping. The melody for this one is very simple; it is driven by some monotone, saturated synths that are extremely catchy. When paired with this fast, in-your-face beat, the melody becomes so catchy and makes the song so danceable. Both of the vocal performances on this track are great and match the energy of the instrumental so well. Both Myaap and Mg Sleepy rap with even-keeled flows that ride the beat so well and the way their vocal tones contrast each other make this track such an earworm. ‘I Ain’t Hidin’ is a raucous banger that will get any club jumping when it comes on. ‘Pricey’ is easily the lightest song on the project so far. This one has a shiny sound that I appreciate a ton; it provides a nice buffer from the more severe sound the songs before this point on the project have had. This song is driven by a melody provided by shimmery and bright synths with a nostalgic feeling. There is something about the synths that drive this instrumental that makes me think of Y2K Pop music, and I dig that a lot. This melody is put on top of a quick and punchy beat that is impossible to not bop your head to. I would not expect to hear this kind of melody with this kind of beat, but it works so well. Myaap’s vocal performance on ‘Pricey’ is snappy and prominent; it contrasts the instrumental a bit and stands out in a way that makes the song so captivating. ‘Pricey’ is a breezy banger that reigns in the intensity that we got from the first few tracks of the album and shows a different side to Myaap. ‘Get Shit Crackin’ is a riotous and lively banger that has the same energy as some of Myaap’s previous viral hits. I would honestly be surprised if this one does not end up popping off online because of how exciting it is. The melody for this track is a mix between a heavily distorted ambulance siren and some saturated synths with a lullaby sound. This wild and interesting melody will get stuck in your head as soon as you hear it. The beat for this track is just as vibrant and vigorous as the melody. This speedy and exciting beat makes this song feel so massive. Myaap vocal performance on this track. Her flow fits the beat perfectly, and her strong tone goes so well with this weird and high-spirited instrumental. ‘Get Shit Crackin’ is a super cool track that I know will end up being a huge hit because of its robust energy. Myaap closes out BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE on a lighter note with the song ‘2 Easy.’ I have to say she may have saved the best for last because I really love this one. This is a sweet R&B Trap banger that shows a completely different side to Myaap than we have seen to this point. The melody for this track is so pleasurable and colorful, it has a silky and vivid feeling that just makes me feel good when it comes on. The beat for this track is pretty rapid and sturdy, which contrasts the melody and gives the song a riveting texture. There is no doubt in my mind that ‘2 Easy’ contains my favorite vocal performance from Myaap on the project, which is saying a lot. I love the way she sings the chorus, as it is so charming and pleasant, and the flow she raps with during the verses is so perfect for this beat. ‘2 Easy’ is a song with a sound that is slightly different from what one may expect from Myaap, and I have to say she absolutely nails it.
Over the last year or so, Myaap has proven she is one of the most electrifying new Hip Hop artists on the come up today. She had a massive 2023 that put her on the map as a rising star not only in Milwaukee but also in the Hip Hop world as a whole. Her new EP BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE is a continuation of the greatness we have seen from her up until this point. On BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE, Myaap shows diversity in her artistry while also leaning into what has made her so popular to this point to begin with. She expands upon the elements of her previous tracks that have caught on with the masses while also showing she has a lot more in her bag when it comes to the music she can make. This is an awesome EP with so much fun energy that is so exciting; I swear, you could just play this whole project at a club on a Saturday night and have the whole place rocking for the duration of it. BIG MYAAP, NOT THE LIL ONE is a great project from one of Milwaukee’s biggest stars, and it makes me so excited to see what she does next.
EAST SIDE VIBES 