·December 14, 2023·2 min read

“Cratehead”, by Stoop: Figments of the world, in lo-fi hip hop

The story of Stoop resembles how a lot of producers in music started out– with roots in a bedroom studio, making beats in solitude for years trying to perfect their craft; until one day, they’re finally ready to show the world their work. On his album, “Cratehead”, Stoop describes it as a canvas for any emcee to build rhymes upon– keep reading for my thoughts!

Citing influences from the old-school hip-hop greats like DJ Premier, J Dilla, and The Alchemist, Stoop brings these styles together to blend instrumental hip-hop hypnotics with timeless elements of folk, soul, and nostalgic pop. With exuberant use of sampling and related arts throughout the album, Stoop makes every second of this album fresh, and such that my head bobbed to the beat every bar of the whole album.

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The opening track, “The Origin,” is a fusion of glistening keys, hip-hop rhythmic wizardry, and intermittent vocal samples, providing a glimpse into the atmospheric focus of the track– with the low, booming bass taking us back firmly to the era of 90s and 00s hip-hop, particularly West Coast hip-hop. The use of repetition in the melodic lines, as well as the bass, make for a solid foundation for any rapper to build upon, just like Stoop envisions it to be.

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The second track on “Cratehead”, “Daybreaks & Heartaches”, is my personal favourite on the album– with this undeniably magnetic fresh sound that had me from the word ‘go’. The inclusion of vocal samples, as well as the choir pads are a tasteful touch, and layered with the plucked synth/guitar sound in the background, make for a powerful, happy sound. “Cherry Blossom” brings in elements of the Far East, with the flutes, and the more downtempo vibes of the region, which I can only describe as soothing, and with an air of mystery that shrouds the whole track in interest.

Some special mentions from the album include “Breathe”, with its significantly more New York sound, with the overdriven guitar, and the backbeat on the snares– as well as the rest of the sound design, which I find extremely appealing. “Stay High”, with its slower, ambient lo-fi hip-hop vibe, also charms.

The production on this album is style-heavy; Stoop’s versatility as a producer shines– and how he seamlessly transcends regions with his sound, in his own unmistakable style, remains a matter of amazement. Check out “Cratehead” by Stoop here!