Student 1 - “Nippy”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Earl Sweatshirt, P.O.S., Oddisee

Indie rapper Student 1 has released a a few singles since 2019 record Upperclssmn that sees the Minneapolis artist trying on some more pop-oriented shoes to match his complex, lyrically dense rhythms. “Nippy” is soulful jam of finger-snap percussion and a groovy R&B hook where Student 1 melds his verses right into the chillwave instrumentation rather than forcing a straight hip-hop track out of it. “Race” is a mix of trap and funk and Student 1 adds psych-rap reverb to his vocals, while lasted single “depressed”, a collaboration with BADJUJU, is full-on stream of conscious hip hop over a minimal, tripped-out beat. Seeing Student 1 adapt with chameleonic ease is impressive and a catalyst his biting, clever lyrics. Student 1 showcases Thursday night at Sheraton BackYARD. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: Lyrically dense and musically complex, Student 1’s rhymes are the kind of storytelling that demands repeat listens to digest not only his words, but also the unique way he raps around his beats. Performing over classic hip hop beats and more modern, bass-reverberating indie rap rhythms, Student 1 finds tasteful and fluid music to consistently work around. That said, the Minnesota-based rapper puts his vocals out front, filling every measure with lyrical bars and incorporating both traditional rhymes and internal schemes that show a mastery of rap art-forms even though he debuted only four years back. Since then, Student 1 has prolifically released singles and EPs in addition to 2019 full-length Upprclssmn, a record that introduces some pop-trap forms to his ever-growing catalog.