Artist Spotlight: Get To Know Hip-Hop’s New Rising Star Tierra Whack

She’s eccentric, she’s unique, she’s everything that’s missing from mainstream rap right now – authenticity. North Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack’s experiences feed into her music in a versatile way. She takes a unique perspective and changes it into something outlandish and stunning. Sonically, she’s closer to Tyler the Creator than Kanye, but she can go with the rest of them – she can hold her own against someone even as prolific as Kanye. She’s both new and old. Her style is reminiscent of early hip-hop’s guttural sound, but retains the modern spirit.

Tierra Whack is a doorwoman by day, and rapper by night. Whack, 23, is the ultimate hero story. She mixes humor and darkness in an inventive way. Formerly Dizzle Dizz, her aggressive style has transformed into something mostly unheard in today’s musical landscape.

Her 2018 album “Whack World” is one of the most revealing albums of the year. Hailed as “Best New Music” by Pitchfork, it stands out. It presents 15 different worlds which coexist. Each song – each segment on the visual album presents a new character, a new experience, a new theme all wrapped up in a minute. With “Bug’s Life”, she presents this scarred woman who is dealing with a deformity, as Tierra raps about ‘pests’ who try to sting her and take her down. Glamour is everything in “Hookers” and “Hungry Hippo,” which present a world of excess.

To avoid “overwhelming the world,” Whack restrained herself to a minute for each song. Her inability to stick to one genre inspired the creation of the contradicting worlds within “Whack World.” Her love of Dr. Seuss is a clear inspiration for the album as well. Seuss fueled Whack’s creative career, producing the most eccentric new rapper of the year.

The way she released this album will change the way we listen to music. It’s a horizon first pioneered by late 2010’s producers like J.Cole – one that she’s helped expand. Her raps are like rapidfire jabs, her melodies are like taking a hot bath after being in a hailstorm. To go from 3-5 minute tracks to 60 seconds is the opposite of stagnation. It’s progress – it’s the future.