Trap music is a traditionally hard hitting genre, from the harsh synths and bombastic tones of Chief Keef to the dark soundscape of Future and the stomping 808s of DaBaby. But all things change and evolve. Every artist and every genre has a tender side – and one man bringing new emotions and colors to the Trap world in 2023 is Israeli producer and sonic savant Kuji. A sweet jazzy ballad for Kodak Black? Check. Softly sung vocal samples for production juggernaut ATL Jacob? Check. Kuji is broadening the horizons of trap music one record at a time, with his unique sound and production style, which blends traditional Trap elements with elements of jazz, R&B, and pop, alongside futuristic tones. Kuji’s sound is characterized by his intricate production work and an emphasis on melody and mood. He takes the abrasive elements of Trap and turns them into something more introspective, creating a sound that’s both atmospheric and deeply emotional. This is a far cry from the traditional “trap” sound, but it’s resonating with fans who are looking for something fresh and innovative in the genre.
Examples include the subtle and intricate guitar playing on the Tyler Yaweh featuring single Role Play, which has already soared past a million views on Youtube, and the twisted and chopped yet delicate vocal samples in the new Nafe Smallz and Tiny Boost record Hypnotize. D Smoke and Ty Dolla Sign’s Good Thing is another great example, with Kuji’s soft and emotional melodic contribution really setting the mood for the record, around his beautiful piano part and otherworldly ethereal soundscape. And placing a melody that sounds like a chop of a jazz standard with an artist as hard hitting as Kodak Black is really a sign of the scope of things to come and just how far Kuji’s sound can go in penetrating and transforming the sound of current trap music. Big things are on the horizon for this exciting new talented trendsetter.