The search for the next BROCKHAMPTON: alt-rap’s rising supergroups.
With BROCKHAMPTON disbanded, the title of the rap game’s favorite oddball posse is once again up for grabs.
artwork by Taylor Pate.
The hip-hop collective has been quintessential to the evolution of the genre since its earliest days, thanks to the likes of Run-D.M.C., A Tribe Called Quest, and even the Sugarhill Gang. The limits of a rap group were further redefined by the Wu-Tang Clan. Thanks to leader RZA’s legacy-oriented curation, Wu-Tang ensured its members robust careers both within and separate from the collective. Never before had this been the case, and it has only been achieved a few times since.
The closest parallel to this within the alternative rap scene that emerged in the early 2010s was Odd Future, as much as their de facto frontman Tyler, The Creator would hate the comparison. To the public eye, the rise of this multidisciplinary group defied genre conformity while also blurring the lines between collective and record label. Most anyone who contributed to Odd Future had some level of commercial success afterward, ranging from Travis “Taco” Bennet’s recent acting credits, or Frank Ocean’s undeniable, mysterious superstardom.
Following OF’s reign was that of their spiritual successor, BROCKHAMPTON. Their nine-album run, consisting of the hailed SATURATION trilogy, placed its fingers in several different pies when it came to musical influences, appealing to a wide spectrum of contemporary hip-hop fans. They amassed a strong core fan base and a good deal of commercial appeal, defining the alt-rap zeitgeist in the late 2010s. But following BH’s abrupt breakup announcement in 2022, it was time for the birds to leave the nest. Kevin Abstract released his third solo album Blanket in November; his bandmates Dom McLennon and Merlyn Wood have released singles of their own; and most other members are gearing up for solo endeavors as well.
It's undeniable that BROCKHAMPTON has left a gaping hole in their absence, a knife further twisted by their two barely-put-together “finale” albums: The Family, which solely features Kevin Abstract lamenting about the band’s end, and TM, a project of half-finished throwaways. Longtime fans, left with little sense of closure for the beloved self-proclaimed “boy band,” were left wondering where they could get their fix of BH’s signature melodic quirkiness. Though there may not be the same room for full-on cultural monopolies in the posse space as there once was, the more the merrier. Here are some of the most promising up-and-coming cliques, collectives, and supergroups paving their own lanes with fresh, distinctive sounds.
Kidz At Play
Despite refuting comparisons to Odd Future, Kidz At Play’s satirical, off-kilter aesthetics can’t help but bear a semblance. From the comfort of their shared music-making haven in Richmond, VA, they film skits, vlogs, and video challenges all adapted for the age of short-form content. This gives fans a glimpse into the collective’s world as well as their style identity beyond the music, something that proved very important for their predecessors.
The music itself isn’t half-bad, either. Most verses see the group playing hot potato with a diverse range of rappers as they trade back-and-forth bars. This ensures some level of BROCKHAMPTON comparison, yes, but their smooth sonics and overall kicked-back vibe bring to mind more spiritually inclined artists like Smino and EARTHGANG. This sound, explored on their debut Mike Tyson Jab and the more recent KIDZMERICA, indicates that Kidz at Play has the makings of a potential juggernaut.
grouptherapy.
Child celebrities turned musical savants seemingly overnight, grouptherapy. sees the reemergence of Tyrell Jackson Williams and Coy Stewart of Disney XD fame––now operating under the monikers of TJOnline and SWIM, respectively–alongside Jadagrace (The Jadagrace Show, Terminator Salvation). Sure, basic musical aptitude has always been a general prerequisite for child actors, but entirely unexpected was the level of artistry provided by this formidable trio.
grouptherapy. scored a recent hit in “TrunkPoppers.com,” the video of which features TJOnline’s brother and Everybody Hates Chris star Tyler James Williams. Having these types of connections obviously comes with some unfair advantages, but then again, they didn’t choose this life. It’s a topic they dissect on their appropriately titled debut I was mature for my age, but I was still a kid. Not for nothing, the musical output of grouptherapy. is far above that of the typical industry plant, consisting of dancy, anthemic tracks reminiscent of Timbaland hits in the 2000s. (Those nostalgic for this era of radio should especially rate “Nasty.”) From Jadagrace’s entrancing vocals to SWIM’s arsenal of catchy deliveries to TJOnline’s iconic punchline rhymes, it’s easy to become a fan of grouptherapy.
99 Neighbors
For those needing a more direct BROCKHAMPTON replacement, 99 Neighbors fits the bill perfectly. The two bands’ origins even match up: Though consisting entirely of seven Vermont natives, 99 Neighbors was formed predominantly over the internet, much like BH. The group first appeared on listeners’ radars with 2019’s “Ripstick.” Rapidly following this up with “F**k No” garnered retroactive buzz for their debut album TELEVISION, released earlier that year. The album featured impressive vocal performances complemented by textured, grungy production.
99 Neighbors is not as content-saturated as BH’s other successors, and consequently, not as prevalent, but their quality-over-quantity approach is effective. Despite prolonged periods of inactivity between albums, 2021’s Wherever You’re Going I Hope It’s Great showed the group was still as brazen as ever. And, funnily enough, the turmoil and mystery surrounding their brand only serves to make 99 Neighbors more similar to BROCKHAMPTON. Fans of either group are more than likely to enjoy both, their music sharing indie influences and pop sensibilities that make it all so clever and catchy.
Paris Texas
Strangely, perhaps the most successful act here isn’t a group, but a duo. On “We Fall…,” the outro to their exciting 2023 studio debut MID AIR, Louie Pastel of Paris Texas even raps, “For a second n****s thought we was a band / Irony is now we really making bands.” Though a member or two short of being a “group” in a technical sense, Paris Texas has too large of a profile right now to go unacknowledged. Their humble rise as well as the rock fusion elements in their music place their ascension parallel to BROCKHAMPTON’s.
Already having generated some traction with a mixtape and subsequent EP, MID AIR propelled the pair even further. The record brought them to new heights, even receiving props from Tyler, the Creator on his Instagram story (they would later perform at Tyler’s 2023 Camp Flog Gnaw Festival). With thrashing electric guitars, acoustic drums, and rockstar aesthetics, they have carved out a spot in the metal/rap community amongst the likes of Jean Dawson, Kenny Mason, and Teezo Touchdown. It’s safe to say that this rapidly evolving subgenre is in good hands with PARIS TEXAS.
edited by Alexander Malm.
artwork by Taylor Pate.
