Big Murk’s production on ‘Bela Ahdaf’ breathed new life into a stagnating trap scene by introducing baile-funk elements into the mix, a sound largely unexplored by other producers in the region. This time around Big Murk drops the baile-funk influence and dives back into the world of lo-fi and experimental hip-hop production.
Despite the short track lengths, Big Murk packs a lot of variety into the beats on El Shmurk. Kicking off with ‘A3ma’, Murk eases into things with some lo-fi, sample based production characteristic of the genre, before switching things up into fast-paced drums and hectic synthesised bleeps.
Track two, ‘Claystation 5’, takes things in a more trap-oriented direction via thick 808 kicks and the unending rattle of detuned hi-hats amongst intense wooden percussion and subtle chord licks.
The closing track, ‘Bongi’, channels a moody, trip-hop oriented sound that favors steady organic drum and deep bass riffs holding down the rhythmic duties amongst layers of abrasive textures and fluttering piano arpeggios.
Despite being such a brief offering, it’s good to see Big Murk begin releasing solo projects rather than working exclusively with rappers, having already proved himself a highly competent beatmaker on his work with The Synaptik.
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