Music
Charting the evolution of Flume's rap collaborations
How to build a relationship (with rap).
Australian future-bass pioneer Flume has always drawn heavily from hip-hop, with many of his biggest songs either featuring hip-hop artists, or sharing similarities with hip-hop instrumentals. His latest release Hi This Is Flume is no exception, featuring prominent MCs JPEGMAFIA and Slowthai from the US and UK respectively. Flume’s working relationship with hip-hop artists has always been a fruitful one, and indeed, some of his collaborations illustrate the path that Flume has taken in his ascendency to a top-shelf global production talent.
Flume feat. T.Shirt – On Top
Flume’s decision to include rapper SHIRT (at the time, known as T-Shirt) on his debut album left quite a few mystified. Indeed, it wasn’t up until last year that SHIRT made serious waves (after being signed to Jack White’s label, Third Man Records). However, look a little deeper into it and SHIRT’s inclusion on Flume’s debut album somewhat reflected Flume’s rise – playing the internet to perfection.
The actual track itself is solid, if unspectacular – but gives an insight into where Flume was going, far before he actually got there. J Dilla-inspired beats populated his self-titled debut album, from where this song comes – and this song is no exception. On Top might not be the gold standard when it comes to Flume’s hip-hop collaborations, but what came after doesn’t exist without this song.
Flume feat. Vince Staples and Kučka - Smoke & Retribution
Smoke and Retribution was a 90 degree turn for Flume, in many ways, and formed a key part of his smash 2016 album Skin. Whereas his self-titled album was more suited to calm, almost meditative listens, Smoke and Retribution harnesses Vince Staples at the peak of his powers, and proved that Flume wasn’t going to be a flash in the pan – his staying power would outlive many of those that attempted to recreate his sound in Australia in the years following his debut album.
Speaking to Hotnewhiphop about the collaboration back in 2016, Flume said “I was a big fan of Summertime '06. I liked his demeanour and what he was about. He's hilarious, he's not trying to put up a front. He's got an amazing tone as well. Cool voice.” Both artists would use their authenticity as somewhat of a calling card, so the collaboration, in many ways, makes complete sense.
Flume feat. Vic Mensa - Lose It
Vic Mensa on Lose It (fka Electro Whale Symphony) feels seconds away from falling off the beat, which incidentally makes the song work so well. The beat and vocals feel independent somewhat of each other, but yet, in typical Flume fashion, they mesh as the song progresses. Mensa’s vocal range is tested throughout the track, from falsetto to more natural sounding singing – one of his most creative outings.
Vince Staples feat. Flume, SOPHIE, Kendrick Lamar and Kučka - Yeah Right
Whilst Flume and Vince Staples had collaborated in the past, this song off Staples’ 2017 album Big Fish Theory is significant in a few ways – one, it features Flume and SOPHIE collaborating, a collaboration that would repeat (twice) on Hi This Is Flume, and two – it features arguably the modern era's viable contender for greatest rapper of all time: Kendrick Lamar (albeit, Flume’s part was produced before knowing Kendrick would be on the song).
Whilst not technically a Flume song, his production is clear to hear on the instrumental – and can be considered a sequel to their collaboration on Flume’s 2016 album Skin, which saw him truly emerge to the masses.
Flume feat. JPEGMAFIA - How To Build A Relationship
JPEGMAFIA x Flume is the collaboration that you may not have known you wanted, but absolutely makes sense. Both sit just outside what you would expect for a musician in their respective genres – albeit with different standings in their respective fields. JPEGMAFIA’s 2018 album Veteran put him on the map, and his off-kilter, aggressive style meshes with Flume’s glitchy beat on this track, and what results is a performance from Peggy (as he’s known to his fans) for the ages.
JPEGMAFIA goes between being angry and funny, dropping punchline after punchline with ease – whilst maintaining the rage that makes him so compelling. Both artists have the desire to subvert what you know about them so far .
