A Very Spooktacular Rap/ Hip-Hop Playlist

Maria Navarro

Music Journalist

As night starts to settle in sooner, temperatures start dropping, and leaves start to crisp up and the excitement of Halloween awaits, sometimes you need a bit of a boost to really get you into the spirit of Halloween. While the traditional Halloween themed melodies are catchy, why not change it up with something a little more rhythmic? I’ve conjured up just the perfect mix of spine-chilling and laid-back Rap/Hip Hop playlist to really get fans of spooky rap in the right mood for a frightful Halloween and perfect for a costume party, a late-night chill session, or just to enjoy during a nice autumn day.

Starting off with Madvillain’s “Supervillain Theme” which creates a great tone of comic mischief. Sampling 80’s Brazilian song “Adormeceu” by Brazilian rock band O Terço. This song feels as if there is someone creeping in the shadows watching your every move. Though it’s only a 53 second track, it has the ability to elevate your senses in the blink of an eye. Towards the ending of the song the more dramatic it gets. The flow of  “Supervillain Theme” makes me visualize the cartoon style of “Batman: The Animated Series.” Along with the tones of comic mischief, we have Denzel Curry’s “The Smell Of Death,” whose intro samples Japanese manga series Fist of The North Star. Composed of a “high speed” beat with sounds of an ominous and menacing undertone, energetic drums and deep on the topic of living on after death in the form of energy. Curry’s wordplay is cinematic and makes you feel as if you’re watching gory action-packed anime and movies like Berserk and Kill Bill.

Following a similar role of being a comical mischief, Tyler the Creator is no stranger to making sinister music for the masses to enjoy. His early discography is characterized by an over-the-top comical type of horror being displayed in his lyrics. His track “Garbage” off the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)– is perfect for gaining the Halloween spirit. Depicting very harsh and violent murders and the use of drugs. Tyler distorts his voice throughout the song with chaotic beats and sounds that seem out of place but work together in the end product. This song has an eerie feel as if you’re an unsuspecting victim walking alone through a dark sketchy alleyway on the wrong side of town, unsure of what could be lurking through the night not knowing your ultimate fate.

Another artist which perfects the feat of creating amazing songs out of pure chaos is Death Grips. Death Grips is greatly known for their abrasive sound with their track “Three Bedrooms In A Good Neighborhood” being a standout. This track’s sound is all over the place and even reverses its own beat multiple times. It’s loud and sure to make your head feel like it’s spinning, and your brain feel as if it’s about to burst out of your head. MC Ride’s vocals never fail to send chills down spines and invoke a sense of fear and curiosity especially to people who may have never heard them. The beat, vulgar lyrics, and MC Ride’s tone altogether makes it feel as if someone crazy is speaking freaky nonsense in your face and making you feel disoriented.

A full moon closest to the autumnal equinox that is associated with the first day of fall is called a harvest moon. In honor of this, the next song is “Harvest Moon” by $uicideboy$. $uicideboy$’ sound is characterized by their dark and aggressive lyrics and beats. Sampling the iconic jazz classic “Huit octobre 1971” by Cortex and layering the melodic vocals of Ruby and $crim, “Harvest Moon” deals with the inevitability of life and death. Haunting lyrics like, “Lay them on the floor then I’m ghost/ Welcome to the most, triple six, devil sh**/ Satan lay me down to sleep.” These lyrics are just one example of their lyrical style and themes. I would say that this song is great to bob your head to and chill to on a chilly autumn afternoon.

Another great $uicideboy$ track that aligns with their grisly style is “TULANE.” Heavy on the topic of death, Satan, drugs, and guns, “TULANE” is about the dark lifestyles and struggles that Ruby and $crim have delved into. Once again using aggressive lyrics and beats, this song has a different tone than “Harvest Moon.” The lyrics are very descriptive and help paint haunting images while listening. An example is, “Walking ’round miserable/ Smoking that medical shoot up a bag of dope/ Dependent on chemicals/ I’m on a pedestal, neck hangin’ from a rope.” This song creates a raw and gloomy atmosphere that suits the spirit of a horror filled Halloween.

Have you ever felt as if some evil spirit has possessed your body and has made you release a painful wrath on your enemies? If you haven’t, “G WALKIN’ ON YOUR COFFIN, Pt.1” by San Marcos’ own Lil Boodang will do just the trick. Sampling a beat from character OG Loc from a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cutscene, this song is very reminiscent of 90’s East Coast rap/hip-hop. The lyrics are violent and Lil Boodang’s tone is confrontational. He isn’t afraid of letting hell break loose and hurting the ones that are running their mouth on his name. The graphic imagery of Lil Boodang’s lyrics are enticing and are able to rile someone up.