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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Face tattoos and druggy lyrics: How Soundcloud rappers saved rap music

Lil Pump’s hit song “Gucci Gang” has been viewed 880 million times. When it came out, Lil Pump was 18 years old, and had braces. He gained fame through Soundcloud, and is known as a “SoundCloud rapper.”

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By Madeleine Brand • Mar 4, 2019 • 1 min read

Lil Pump’s hit song “Gucci Gang” has been viewed 880 million times. When it came out, Lil Pump was 18 years old, and had braces. He gained fame through Soundcloud, and is known as a “SoundCloud rapper.” Other big names include XXXTentacion, Juice Wrld, and Tekashi 6ix9ine. Their outlandish looks and over-the-top behavior -- all made for Instagram -- have attracted legions of fans, and created a lucrative renaissance in the rap industry. However, it’s also landed 6ix9ine in jail, and XXXTentacion was murdered last year.

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    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    The New Yorker

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