Lil Uzi Vert’s Unexpected Guest Collab: Why BABYMETAL Is the Coolest Feature on Pink Tape
The American rapper, singer, and songwriter Lil Uzi Vert has finally released their long-awaited album, Pink Tape.
But their track titled ‘The End’ is not so far from starting a new movement: featuring the pop-metal idol band BABYMETAL, the Philadelphia-native rapper shocked their fanbase with this unexpected twist on their brand.
An unorthodox rapper, Lil Uzi Vert is known for their geek penchants for alternative rock and Japanese subcultures. Taking influences from punk, rock, hip-hop, trap, and emo rap, Uzi was able to develop a vast following over a variety of categories, especially with their public appreciation for anime, hentai, and kawaii culture. Pink Tape has been under construction for years now, pulling from all the defining creative influences of Lil Uzi Vert, from Meek Mill to Paramore. The 26-track album features many influential artists of today, but the appearance of BABYMETAL left us floored.
BABYMETAL was formed in 2010 in Tokyo, with the concept of fusing the cutesy Japanese idol genre with heavy metal - the ‘baby’ part representing the birth of a new genre of J-pop like none other. The ferocity of aggressive instrumentals in tune with the sweet innocence of the idol trio, they deliver a sound that branches into rock, EDM, and the catchiest of J-pop.
BABYMETAL isn’t as heard of today as it was a few years ago; they were extremely popular at their debut for their contrasting message of frilly bows and theatrical uniforms with loud, rugged sounds. Nonetheless, their legacy runs deep as they invented a new market for a sickly saccharine, juvenile brand with an intensely dark aftertaste.
The electrifying collaboration of Lil Uzi Vert and BABYMETAL is proof of a new wave of otaku culture: it was even composed and arranged by Daisuke, a member of the upcoming band Paledusk. With a resurgence in interest in anime, manga, and Tokyo’s nightlife, Uzi is foreshadowing a novel trend in music and perhaps promising a comeback for our beloved BABYMETAL.
Edited by Mizuki Khoury
