The Fusion of Jersey Club and New York Drill Will Be The Sound of The Summer
Artists from New Jersey and New York City have fused Jersey Club and New York drill to create a prominent new sound that is primed to dominate the summer. Here are some songs you need to know.
A fusion of New York drill and Jersey club has been bubbling in the tri-state area over the last few months to become the dominating sound of the summer.
New York drill has maintained its status as the dominating subgenre in rap right now, thanks to artists like Ice Spice, Lola Brooke, Cash Cobain, Chow Lee, and many more rising artists pushing it to viral success. And thanks to Lil Uzi Vert’s viral song “Just Wanna Rock,” which was produced by Newark Jersey Club producer Mcvertt, the club scene expanded beyond the borders of the Garden State and quickly became a national phenomenon. However, now the two scenes have begun to fuse with each other, in part thanks to Jersey's proximity to New York, and a new “Club Drill” sound has started to form from this cross-pollination.
Recently, New York drill artists have been teaming up with Jersey Club producers, and Jersey rappers have been tapping into New York drill beats to mesh their similar sonic patterns and bars to create this new club drill sound. B-Lovee and 2Rare teamed up with Jersey Club producer DJ Swill B for their latest single “Act Bad,” which dropped on April 14, and it interlopes the patented club sound paired with their drill bars and a sample of Carl Thomas’ “I Wish.” On the other side, Jersey Club rapper Bandmanrill has made a name for himself with his ability to not only rap over Jersey Club beats, but also sample drill production like on his early song “Close Friends.”
This new club drill combination has the potential to be the sound of summer 2023 because it capitalizes on the two dominant sounds on social media and in the clubs right now. Besides New York drill being globally popular now, Jersey Club has reached new heights outside of the state and has successfully taken over TikTok. Both rap subgenres thrive in party environments where dancing is the primary activity, which is what the summer is all about. The new strands of drill (sample drill and sexy drill) promote more dancing in the music, and the bedrock of Jersey Club is rocking your hips. This new evolution of drill and Jersey Club is fun, and demonstrates how much power New York and New Jersey have when they work together.
There is an exciting crop of new tracks and artists who exemplify the new club drill fusion happening right now. Check out some of the songs and artists who are poised to dominate the imminent club drill summer down below.
B Jack$, “Yaya Wait”
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Among the crop of rising Jersey rappers who are able to spit on sped-up New York drill production, B Jack$ has been able to set himself apart thanks to witty punchlines and contagious energy, and his latest track “Yaya Wait” showcases these abilities. Teaming up with New York producer Malcolm Flex, the song is lined with a piano progression that sounds like a sample of Usher’s “Lovers and Friends” paired with drill snares and Jersey Club bass that makes it a club drill hybrid.
Cash Cobain, “Slizzy Like”
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Despite being rapped and produced by a New York drill artist, Cash Cobain, “Slizzy Like” borrows key components from Jersey Club beats. Specifically, when Cobain’s hook is interrupted by different sound effects from the beat, that is a tool commonly used in Jersey Club songs like DJ Lil Man’s “Bunny Hop” to indicate when to incorporate a new dance move to the club dance cypher happening. Even though no Jersey artists or producers are involved with “Slizzy Like,” it’s another example of the subtle fusion between club and drill happening right now.
Bandmanrill, “Close Friends”
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Bandmanrill is one the most prominent Jersey Club rappers out right now. The Newark artist was able to find a way to keep up with the fast-paced tempo of Jersey Club beats and rap over them successfully, but he’s also tapped into the New York sample drill scene and paired his signature flow with the unique production. “Close Friends” borrows a sample from the opening of an anime, and Bandman rides the beat with his unique flow. The song is one of the earliest examples of the club drill fusion, dropping at the top of 2022.
B-Lovee f/ 2Rare, “Act Bad”
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One of the most prominent club drill songs to drop in the last few months is B-Lovee and 2Rare’s “Act Bad,” which finds the New York drill duo teaming up with Jersey Club producer DJ Swill B. The song samples Carl Thomas’ “I Wish” and might be the best example of drill DNA fused with Jersey production and the two living in perfect harmony with each other.
MHPG Sound, Cash Cobain, Mali Smith, and B Jack$, “Slizzy Situation”
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Cash Cobain is the Godfather of Sample Drill, but the New York producer has expanded into the world of rapping, and he’s tapped into Jersey Club artists and influences while doing so. “Slizzy Situation,” which includes Cobain, Mali Smith, and Jersey rapper B Jack$, is an example of club drill from the originator of sample drill. The song pairs a smooth throwback sample with a bass very similar to DJ Taj’s iconic 2016 track “BBE Challenge” to create something completely new. And while Mali and Cobain hold down the New York side of the track, B Jack$ represents Jersey well with how he glides on the song.
Sugarhill Ddot, “Let Ha Go”
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Rising New York drill rapper Sugarhill Ddot teamed up with “Just Wanna Rock” producer Mcvertt for one of his more recent singles, “Let Ha Go,” which pairs the patented Jersey Club bass drum with drill snares. Like most Jersey Club songs, “Let Ha Go” is very danceable, but it also has some of the gritty bars that Ddot is accustomed to spitting on his drill songs. This is a perfect example of the club drill fusion that skews a bit more to the New York drill side.
