There’s no denying the impact that certain streamers are having on the underground hip-hop scene. One of the originals to popularize this style is Kai Cenat and his celebrity “interviews” where figures like Nicki Minaj were showing up to his room to promote their newest project (or in lieu of asking questions, Kai would host listening sessions). Over time, that has evolved into full recording sessions, where rappers are laying bars, live, in front of thousands of online observers. FaZe Clan’s (a group of gamers/streamers who have graced the cover of Sport Illustrated with Bronny James) plaqueboymax has been the latest to make waves, making songs with BabyTron, Nino Paid, Bay Swag and Cash Cobain, Lazer Dim 700, Central Cee, DDG, and as of this month, Wiz Khalifa and LiAngelo Ball. Another streamer whose outputs are at a lesser clip but who is equally as talented on the mic is AMP’s Chrisnxtdoor.
Chrisnxtdoor’s most popular stream so far has been with T-Pain. The AMP affiliate hosted Tony Shhnow’s first ever appearance as collaborative guest. Chris encouraged Tony to spin a wheel to decide which type of “type-beat” they’d collaborate on. At the start, they landed a tie between 70s funk and reggae, and Tony Shhnow allowed the viewers to decide. The chat chose 70s funk. On the Shhnowman’s second go at the wheel, it landed on “Twerk Song For The Bad Bitches”, which was Tony’s earlier expressed preference. On the final spin, the duo received the “Sad Drake” type-beat. Ultimately the choice was made, in Tony’s favor, to go with the twerk-type-beat.
What happened next was brief but entertaining. As if the two of them had never heard or made a song in relation to this style, Chris and Tony took time to research some original twerk anthems. On YouTube, the two creatives came across a 2010’s classic: “Freak H*e” by the late Philadelphia rapper Speaker Knockerz. (What a time that was, huh!) After gaining some inspiration, Tony took his spot inside the booth first. He worked efficiently, and within just over 20 bars he remained on topic, while adding some personal flare towards the middle and end of his verse. Chris then balanced Tony’s bars with a melodic delivery to tie a bow on what they would eventually name “Tush Push.”