By: @lex2k

Since the 2010s, underground rap has been a psychedelic cyber scape of unlikely heroes and idols emerging from its scenes, with artists like Chief Keef, Playboi Carti, and Lil B setting the tone for the scene. Now In the 2020s a new generation of artists who grew up listening to those same rappers are now in position to grab. This is where Based Negative Squad comes in. While the likes of Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely with their gothic nu metal aesthetic. BNS boasts a colorful variety of personalities and really adds color to a grimey scene. While keeping it hardcore and in your face, nice and raw.

The group was Founded by rapper Christ Dillinger who was inspired by an unreleased DJ Smokey tape while on tour with his crew, known as “Based Positive Squad” The touring rappers flipped it as a joke, and despite the pessimistic face value, the concept is true to its name; pull from negativity and transform it into something good. Christ Dillinger felt that in order to create great art you needed to pull from the dark side of things. The group’s idea of darkness is more abstract and skewed compared to the likes of Opium. With a more chronically online aesthetic that’s more inviting and familiar.

Members as of the date of this article follows: Christ Dillinger, Acid Souljah, Xhris2Eazy BRUHMANEGOD, Wendigo, Tenkay, Brodiebased, Dj Smokey, Sleepy, Cj Hunter

For the most part they were all on tour before the group was conceptualized, and according to Acid Soulja a prominent figure in the scene, their first breakout self title mixtape BASED NEGATIVE SQUAD (out now on all platforms)a collection of songs they accrued throughout touring.

Despite the seemingly abrasive undertone, Based Negative Squad (BNS) isn’t rooted in nihilism and their influences are much more aligned with Chief Keef, Metro Zu, and Lil B the Based God—all of which have a huge influence on their sound and aesthetic.

Here’s a breakdown of how those influences shape BNS:

• Chief Keef: Known for his impact on the drill scene and his raw, heavy beats, Chief Keef’s influence can be seen in BNS’s trap-inspired sound and aggressive delivery.

• Metro Zu: A Florida-based collective known for their experimental, lo-fi, and energetic sound, which aligns with BNS’s unique production style that often blends fast-paced beats with atmospheric, hard-hitting production.

• Lil B the Based God: His influence is significant when it comes to the “based” attitude and approach to music. Lil B’s style of rapping about being free from societal norms and celebrating individuality can be seen in BNS’s unfiltered and self-assured style.

One could describe the songs that come out of it as a perfect representation of a generation fed on blog era and soundcloud rap. With songs like “Giggity giggity” which already off the bat feels like a meme with a reference to family guy with Christ Dillingers in ur face raps drowned in hyper saturated beats with hard drums and 808s and synths that sound like the soundtrack from an episode of Ben 10 (the original of course). Also noteworthy, the anthemic 6 minute long cypher that introduces you to a good chunk of the group with verses from Acid Souljah · Tenkay · Pistolero2k · brodiebased and Christ Dillinger.

The group serves up a fun wild chaotic drug fueled experience that never insists upon itself and really holds true to the tenants of being “Based”. Their music feels free and unrestricted and every song feels like a unique vibe being captured consistently. Not worried about the state of the world and taking the backseat approach simply living for the music and the rage. If you’re like me you are probably tired of the mainstream and its limited creativity, and its overblown hyped up personalities and constant chasing of 2016 hype. Based Negative Squad will save you from such oppression.

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