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BY MAXWELL ABBBATIELLO | PHOTOS BY PEARL SPURLOCK | DESIGN BY JOE TIMMERMAN
ap music is more than what most make it out to be. There is no question that the sound of rap has evolved over To some, it is workout music, something you can time. There are now subgenres that have formed over time, relate to or maybe it’s just the right combination of such as emo rap, drill, mumble rap and many others. sounds to satisfy that itch in your brain. But for others, it’s “Playboi Carti is a perfect example of an artist evolving,” a medium, an outlet to express what one is truly feeling, to Smith says. “I think his music evolved from a baby rap voice to spread awareness and even a beacon of hope in a time where a more grungy rap.” hope is hard to find. G-swerve also has thoughts on how rap has evolved on a The rap genre’s roots can be traced back to the 1970s in New broader spectrum. York City, although it didn’t pick up popularity until later “I think rap music has absolutely evolved for the best,” he in the decade. The song “Rapper's Delight” by The Sugarhill says. “Coming from a generation that deals with a lot of Gang is arguably what gave rap its initial popularity. The mental health issues, when I listen to rap, it acts as a reporter song was the first hip-hop/rap song to reach the top 40 on the for the community.” Billboards, according to History and Billboard. G-swerve uses his music to spread awareness about his own The hip-hop/rap genre has resonated with the younger personal experiences. generation the most. According to a survey published by According to G-swerve’s artist biography on Spotify, Statista Research on Jan. 8, when asked the question “What “Starting at age 6, G-swerve has recreated his world through type of music do you listen to?” 48 percent of the participants introspective lyrics and beat compositions. As a young Type in the age group 16-19 said hip-hop/rap, while 52 percent of 1 Diabetic, G-swerve expresses his journey and the battles the participants in the age group 20-24 said hip-hop/rap as associated with it through his music. Although times have been well. tough, G-swerve continues Saige Smith, a sophomore to be the voice for not only at Ohio University the Diabetic community but studying political science, also for those who seek the believes that the majority medicinal values of authentic of rap’s audience is younger musical expression.” because the content of Rappers have also been known the music appeals to the to be outspoken in their music younger population the when it comes to social issues most. in their community. When the “I feel like rap music Black Lives Matter movement tells a very distinctive started gaining exponential story about success, about traction after the death of having fun, about doing George Floyd in 2020, there was some cool stuff,” Smith an outpour of music supporting says. the cause from Black artists, Having the talent to rap Tavian “G-swerve” Gray in his recording studio in Columbus, Ohio, on according to Genius. isn’t as common as one Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. G-Swerve has songs on several platforms, including Lil Baby released “The Bigger may think. Tavian Gray, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Picture” in June 2020, a song who goes by G-swerve, is detailing his experience being a rapper from Columbus who is signed to Brick City Records. a Black man in American society and the oppression he faced He first started writing lyrics in seventh grade when a friend from the justice system and police. Chicago rapper Polo G came passed him a note with lyrics on it that he had written. He out with “Last Man Standing” in February 2021, a song that found it interesting so he decided to write his own, and he also calls out the problem of police brutality. hasn’t stopped writing since. The first song he ever recorded It is hard to escape the sound of rap, even if one is not a was a freestyle over the beat for “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-tang fan of the genre. Along with great music, rap has provided Clan. He was 16. the world with so much more: a voice for people who have a Now 21 years old, G-swerve says rap has changed him a lot as story to tell, a community for artists who share the passion to a person, and for the better. create and most importantly different perspectives from those “Before I first started rapping, I didn’t talk that much, I was willing to share. kind of quiet and called an outcast,” he says. “When I started “Rap is just a reflection of the communities and the rapping it was like learning a different language. I was finally backgrounds that some of these artists are coming from, able to communicate with those around me about how I was myself included,” G-swerve says. feeling and what made me feel the way that I do. Having that For those interested in supporting G-swerve, check out his language that not everybody can speak however everyone can music on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube or understand is a privilege.” connect with him on Instagram @swerve_therealest or Twitter @TavianGray. b
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backdrop 2021 backdrop || Fall Spring 2022
