I may disappear, but I'll always show up again! It's a promise (or a threat.)
Today, I'd like to talk about my favorite hyperpop artists. I don't have much of a reason, just had the idea the other day and thought it was interesting. Nobody I know wants to talk about this with me, so I'll force at least one person to read about it.
If you don't know what hyperpop is, well... me neither. It's a very broad genre that can mean several things. According to Wikipedia, it's a "loosely defined electronic music movement and microgenre [...] characterised by a maximalist or exaggerated take on popular music, and artists within the microgenre typically integrate pop and avant-garde sensibilities while drawing on elements commonly found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music." Does that mean anything to you? I hope so, because it'll be the only explanation you'll get from me (give me a break, I have the flu and don't feel great.
Without further ado:
That Kid
That Kid is one of Ayesha Erotica's many disciples. In my opinion, he's the most talented and one of the few who know how to best utilize her crass sense of humor without exaggerating much. He also has some more "serious" song and I believe he knows how to approach heavier topics without losing his levity or the shallowness of his music, if that makes sense.
I know that those who go woke go broke, but I must say I think the only reason he's not more popular with hyperpop fans is because he's a black man instead of a white woman. It just doesn't make sense for you to be a Charli XCX and Slayyyter fan and not like this little twink.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Kiss Me Thru the Phone, Mile High Club, Full Throttle
Alice Longyu Gao
Another artist I believe isn't more successful because she's not white. Any 100 gecs fan should like her as well.
I like Alice because she's weird, but not in a forced way. She's like that, unique, and she's not trying to show you how different she is unlike some other hyperpop artists. I also like that she doesn't try to hide her accent or change her lyrics so they use "correct" English. It gives her songs a bit of a Max Martin touch.
She put out a song calling Anna Delvey a scammer (Scam) and they ended up becoming friends once Anna was free. They even threw a New Years party together. I wonder if being friends with Anna Delvey is fun.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Rich Bitch Juice, LEGEND, To My White Boy Princess
100 gecs
If you know hyperpop, then I don't even need to introduce them. I already liked more experimental songs due to Charli, but they're the ones who made me take an interest in the genre. Not only are they talented artists, but they've also produced some really good songs, like the perfect IPHONE by Rico Nasty. I miss her hyperpop era.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: money machine (duh), xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx (Remix), mememe
Ayesha Erotica
She's birthed several hyperpop artists alongside Charli. She had given up on her music career due to her fans' craziness, but she recently decided to bless us and come back.
Ayesha has a longer discography than many classic artists and a very unique crass and hypersexual sense of humor. Sometimes I think she goes overboard, so I've never been able to listen to her entire discograpy, but there's no denying she's a very talented producer who knows what she wants with her music.
She's already gone viral on TikTok a million times, but Gen Z is always right. She's really fun and knows not to take herself seriously.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Literal Legend, Vacation Bible School, Yummy
Charli XCX
If you're here, then you must know brat summer, even if you've never heard the album.
This post was originally going to be a ranking of my favorite hyperpop artists, but I noticed Charli would definitely be my number one, which pissed me off because 1) I'm tired of the brat meme and 2) I'm annoyed at her for having made a song to one of those Red Scare crazies.
There's no denying she's talented and ahead of her time, though. She deserves all the acknowledgement in the world after being ignored by the general public for so long.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Vroom Vroom, Backseat, party 4 u, 365
Kim Petras
Now we'll get into a more touchy subject. Is Kim, and the next artists I'll mention, part of hyperpop? They're definitely adjacent, or are related to the genre. But they aren't as experimental as the artists above. Aren't they just pop artists?
What makes someone be a part of hyperpop? Is it clinging pots together? Doing a feature with Sophie (RIP)? If yes to the latter, then is Madonna hyperpop? Is MDNA hyperpop?? What on Earth is Crazy Frog???
Kim hasn't released a unique song since 2020 but, whenever she puts out a new project, I know there'll always be at least one good song for every three bad ones, so I can't quit her despite everything. I wonder if she'll dump Dr. Luke one day, though.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Heart to Break, Personal Hell, Party Till I Die, uhoh
Slayyyter
Did you know there's rumors that Kim and Slayyyter had a falling out? Did you know that Kim thought Slayyyter was trans? This has nothing to do with the topic at hand, I just wanted to mention that.
Slayyyter started out as another Ayesha disciple (her first album was fully produced by Ayesha with some exceptions), but she's trailed her own path since. Slayyyter, her first album, is excellent; Troubled Paradise has good songs, but doesn't reach the same level as the last album; STARFUCKED, her latest, has more boring songs than fun ones, but the fun ones are really good. I like that she's ambitious and tries new things, even when they don't work. Better that than to settle like Kim.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: Daddy AF, Stupid Boy, Throatzillaaa, I Love Hollywood!
Addison Rae
I'm going to get you now! Do two Charli XCX features mean you're hyperpop? Addison's songs aren't that experimental, but you'll never hear them on the radio. What now?
I saw someone say the other day that Addison could easily play Britney on her upcoming movie. She just needs to learn how to sing, dance, and act first. It's true.
Recommendations if you don't know the artist: She only has one EP with five songs so far, so all of those. My favorite is I Got It Bad.
Notas
- Addison Rae put out a new song today. I haven't heard it yet, but I'm sure it's good, because the name is DIET PEPSI. Very Lana del Rey/Britney.
- I've watched Charli and Slayyyter live. Charli was great, she had amazing stage presence. Slayyyter, eh, not so much, but she's gorgeous in person, so it's fine.