2024 is no stranger to peculiarities, reminding us constantly that everything is changing; especially within music. As aforementioned in my previous blog, I believe that 2024 is the year of the underground and this album is a solidified pillar, carrying within some of the most quintessential components of what it means to be an underground artist this year. #gigi is an artistic debut from rising artist Skaiwater, a fresh depiction of the new sounds of the generation, this debut is an interesting introduction to a new field of musical expertise, a composed string of contemporary rap songs. 

#gigi is the epitome of the new gen. From the frivolous hashtag to social media marketing, as well as the song titles being in lowercase; all these factors are so profoundly 2024. Skaiwaters artistic presence is a true culmination of layers of internet culture and technological advancements, a raw discovery of pure talent in so many different outlets. Even recording and directing their own music videos, Skai’s talent has no limits, media is their lane of genius. Visually as well as sonically. 

Opening with melancholy ‘real feel’, Skai introduces us to a futuristic R&B, also self produced, this song allows listeners to experience the full talents of Skai, from the mechanics to the oversaturated production, the maximalism is just an insight to the new heights of R&B. Skai closes the track with an integrated voicemail from a new gen cultural icon; killmarni. The “slizzy princess” is New York royalty, gaining attention from her affiliation with CashCobain, the addition of this voicemail is intentional, showing Skai’s notably impressive status in the underground scene, especially being from Nottingham. 

Skai’s background is even more interesting to note as musically they use sounds from across continents, pulling beats from the corners of Brazil to the West Indies. Each track contains musical history that has become popularised within the last few years. ‘richest girl alive’ features Brazilian funk melodically mixed within amalgamation of different electronic tuning, ‘wanna torture me tn’ is packed with metaphorical masochism, finding the pleasure within the pains of being vulnerable in relationships, tying them in with nothing short of emotional torture. This album thematically explores love and loss, allowing us to experience Skai’s understanding of relationships and connection, ‘bleach’ and ‘heavy metal’ are highlights of Skai’s lyrical exposure, with some of her most categorically vulnerable lyricism. ‘heavy metal’ enters the abuse of drugs as a means of escapism assimilating this with the pains of what it feels to love deeply, which can only be compared as the impenetrable noise of intense rock.  

The highlights of this album are also the most popular songs statistically, a collaboration with Lil Nas X on ‘light!’ is a new take on a radio hit, a playfully developmental pop song. It’s eerily catchy. The biggest charting song on this album ‘rain’ is an immensely fundamental song of 2024. A personal favourite but this is also a general public consensus, ‘rain’ is one of the most important songs of the year, a confidently emphatic love song that’s also not a love song, it’s perfectly imperfect in its misconception of pop-rap, it creates its own lane of experimentalism. An interesting take on a jersey club beat, ‘rain’ also embeds a contrasting conflict of moods moving through sentiment to elation effortlessly, skai’s production knows no bounds.

#gigi teaches us to wait on the overflowing cup of talent that’s about to come out creatively. Skaiwater really is #that girl.  

Fatima Mohammed