Soundclouds of the Underground: If You’re Remixing This It’s Too Late Edition

ABOVE: DRAKE.

With an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses, music truly lives online. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute music around the world. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough. 

For the past week, people have rightfully been obsessing over Drake’s surprise attack mixtape/album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, a chart-topping rebuttal to the rapper’s recent label woes (courtesy of Cash Money). The album’s debut—which has so far sold well over 500,000 copies—was immediately followed by a slew of remixes from the internet far and wide. Below are the best of the best underground edits. Drake would be proud.

Drake: “10 Bands” (GravezMusic remix)

Who: Atlanta’s Gravez has swiftly built a large following for himself thanks to his bounce-heavy edits of tracks like Rae Sremmurd’s “No Type” and Travis Scott & Big Sean’s “Don’t Play.” Gravez’s music packs a powerful, eccentric punch, much like Atlanta contemporaries (see: Rome Fortune, OG Maco, etc.).   

The Song: Gravez gives “10 Bands” a bass-booming facelift, adding extra strength to the percussion and altogether taking the track to a harder level. In other words-it bumps, and sometimes that’s all a remix really needs to do.

Current Project: Get Gravez’ upcoming tour dates and more via his Facebook.

Drake: “Company” (Myth Remix) 

Who: Admittedly inspired by Rustie, Disclosure, and AraabMuzik among others, London production duo Myth creates something new by melding together sounds from the abovementioned artists. An identifying aspect of Myth’s sound is their hometown. You can nearly hear the London rain while listening to their gloomy, sensual tracks.

The Song: “Company” enters the void with Myth’s remix, a trippy edit full of spaced-out sounds and echoed vocals, anchored by big, slowed-up drums. The track is made for a slow-grind, equal parts intensity and steamy sex appeal.

Current Project: Keep up with Myth on Facebook.

Drake: “Energy” (Madeaux Remix)

Who: Madeaux has been building a reputation for making some of the internet’s best remixes—the L.A.-based, Miami-raised producer has taken on mainstream bangers like Beyoncé’s “Flawless” and Jeremih & YG’s “Don’t Tell ‘Em,” as well as equally impressive original material (check out his industrial club-ready album Love The Machine).

The Song: “Energy” is far more a Madeux track than a Drake track after the producer puts his dark dance-club spin on the original. Pitching down Drake’s vocal and using ominous piano riffs plus intensified West Coast-inclined production, Madeux makes the track seem primed for a rave.

Current Project: Keep up with Madeux on Facebook. 

 Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.