Community has always played a vital role in music. As new ideas in the creative community reach audiences through platforms such as SoundCloud, we’re experiencing a unique shared experience, in which producers from all levels participate in putting a new spin on tracks spanning multiple genres and eras. Remixes are nothing new; but long gone are the days that the single versions are the only ones that get play.
Enter sped-up tracks, a phenomenon that both launches fresh tracks and gives new life to songs that may have run their traditional cycle.
While this technique has been around since the Chipmunks, Chicago DJs sped up tracks to create ghetto house and juke, and hip-hop innovators including RZA and Swizz Beats began experimenting with helium vocals, we’re now seeing a democratized approach to the phenomenon. A symbolic attempt to keep up with the speed of internet-era consumption, we now have a new style of music, drawn from almost every existing genre. A world where a nightcore version of a Michael Bublé song shares roots with the "chipmunk soul" of Cam'ron's "Oh Boy," UK garage and two step ala Sweet Female Attitude's "Flowers (Sunship Mix)" and so much more. You’ve probably heard Miguel’s 2009 hit “Sure Thing” all over again in its new form, or Thundercat’s “Them Changes,” or Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit.” These new sped-up hits are going viral and shaking the culture.
SoundCloud has been a launching pad for many of these sped-up tracks. This week we’ll take you through hot tracks that are speeding through the platform.
LISTEN TO THE SPED-UP TRACKS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
RAYE, “Escapism” (Sped Up)
With some help from 070 Shake, the rising South London star Raye takes the tough-chick anthem “Escapism” to the point of frenzy on this dancefloor banger.
Switch Disco feat. Ella Henderson “React” (Sped Up)
Take one part from a dream house hit by the late Italian composer Robert Miles. Add a vocal by the “X Factor UK” veteran Ella Henderson. Speed it up courtesy of the British DJ duo Switch Disco. Watch for the reaction.
Lolo Zouaï, “Desert Rose” - Sped Up (high highs)
The beats per minute are so slow and dreamy on the original version of Lolo Zouai’s “Desert Rose” that the sped-up version still sounds blissfully somnambulent
Kinneret, “No Wind Resistance” (SPED UP!)
LA-bred performing artist Kinneret had the wind at her back with her space-age viral hit “No Wind Resistance!” in 2019, on the sped-up version, she defies gravity.
The Weeknd, “Creepin'(I Don't Wanna Know)” (F4ST Sped Up)
The boy-girl Colombian DJ duo known as F4ST have had a number one hit in their homeland and have shared stages with some of the dance world’s best. Here they take on a certain pop star from Toronto.
SZA, “Kill Bill - I might kill my ex” (F4ST Sped Up)
SZA’s twisted “Kill Bill” comes under the F4ST knife in this sped-up version of her massive 2022 hit.
KXLLSWXTCH, “WASTE” (Sped Up Version)
There’s a definite spooky-grunge vibe to Kxllswxtch’s original, mostly acoustic version of this song. The sped-up remix effectively switches up the gender, without touching the urgency.
Toosii, “Favorite Song” (Sped Up)
The sped-up version of Toosii’s romantic ballad “Favorite Song” retains the intimate feel of the original, even if the 23-year-old singer-rapper sounds just like a kid again.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “It's Called: Freefall” (Sped Up Version)
“You could leave it all behind,” RKS’s Ela Melo sings on one of the North Carolina indie band’s most popular tracks. The sped-up version of “It’s Called: Freefall” makes it even more of an earworm.
Victony, “Soweto” with Don Toliver, Rema, and Tempoe (Sped Up)
The Nigerian singer-rapper Victony had a breakthrough hit with a remix of “Soweto,” his lovely daydream, that featured fellow Nigerian Rema and the American star Don Toliver. Here the dream gets the fast-forward treatment.
PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Her Way” (Sped Up)
The first artist signed to Drake’s OVO Sound back in 2013, Canada’s PartyNextDoor found new life for his moody early track “Her Way” with its quick-paced remix.
Slay Slayyyy, “Dancin Is What to Do” (F4ST Sped Up)
Although it’s implied in the title itself, the hyper version of and newest iteration of Chicago House DJ Aaron Smith’s 2005 floor-filler will compel you to do so in sync with the increased BPMs.
Essosa, “Waste My Time” (Sped Up)
She was born in London, but Essosa’s family moved to Toronto when she was a toddler, making her another contributor to the city’s rich R&B community. On this remix of “Waste My Time” hear Essosa sounding very much like a teen Sade.
NLE Choppa, “DO IT AGAIN” feat. 2Rare (Sped Up)
“Watch your tone,” warned Memphis’s NLE Choppa on “Do It Again,” one wave in the deluge of tracks he’s released this year. The sped-up version seems to mirror the speed at which he’s accelerated through his career.
Silk Sonic, “After Last Night” (Sped Up Version)
Courtesy of the dynamic duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic’s “After Last Night” is a classic slow jam - so of course it’s ripe for speeding up. Let’s call it a quickie.
Kanii, “I Know” (PR1SVX Edit Sped Up)
Kanii’s “I Know” is an apology song, but in the hands of the digital -age producer PR1SVX, there’s nothing to say sorry for.
Hotel Ugly, “Shut up My Moms Calling” (Sped Up))
Houston-based indie popmaker Mike Vince broke out a year ago with his viral hit “Shut Up My Moms Calling,” which was tailor-made for the sped-up treatment. “I hope someone is watching me,” Mike croons. We’re listening.
LISTEN TO THE SPED-UP TRACKS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
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