Denzel Curry Declares “Commercial Rap Is Dead” Amid Industry Critique
Rapper Denzel Curry voiced strong dissatisfaction with the current state of mainstream hip-hop, asserting that “commercial rap is dead” during a recent performance at Bludfest at The national Bowl.The Florida-based artist’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among musicians who believe the genre has become creatively stagnant and overly formulaic.
Curry’s critique arrives as several prominent figures within the rap community have publicly expressed similar frustrations. This wave of commentary signals a potential turning point for the genre, prompting questions about its future direction and the demand for innovation from both artists and audiences. The artist is currently working on two new releases, a solo LP and a collaborative project titled Strictly For The Scythe with his ULTRAGROUND Records and Working On Dying collectives.
In July, Curry revealed his dual-album plan, following the September release of “him,” a track featured on a film soundtrack of the same name. Prior to Curry’s remarks, Travis Scott, in April, lamented the repetitive nature of production within the genre, telling Complex he’d begun producing more frequently due to “hearing a lot of the same beats and the same drums.”
JPEGMAFIA echoed these concerns in June,telling Billboard that Hip hop fans “don’t wanna hear Drake complain about b**hes anymore,” and asserting “We need something different.” These statements collectively suggest a desire for a shift away from established tropes and a yearning for more experimental and substantive content within rap music.
Joseph okpako / Contributor via Getty Images captured Curry’s performance at Bludfest.
