Sigilkore

Sigilkore
Sample of All Eyez On Me by Luci4, showcasing common techniques within Sigilkore like sped & chopped mixing, bitcrushing, and trap drums
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsSoundCloud, Late 2010s, America (Florida, California)
Derivative forms
Subgenres
Other topics

Sigilkore is a microgenre of trap music that incorporates elements of electronic music and cloud rap, originating in the late 2010s in the United States on SoundCloud. It is characterized by layered DJ mixing and digital effects such as bitcrushing and pitch shifting, often layered in-post over recorded vocals.

Identifying factors of pop music usually includes digital stereo effects, often layered in-post over recorded vocals, alongside bass-boosted 808s, wide and reverb-soaked synths, and bitcrush effects.

Etymology

The term "sigilkore" is derived from sigil,[4] which is described as being associated with magic, deities and occult rituals.[4]

Characteristics

In sigilkore music, lyrical themes mostly revolve around dark themes, including blood and vampires.[5] The genre takes a blend of trap drums with a more ambient approach, faster tempos, and experimental mixing and mastering techniques. It was described as an experimental genre with no boundaries.[6][7]

The visual aesthetics of sigilkore draw influence from magic, deities and occult rituals.[4]

History

Late 2010s–Early 2020s

Sigilkore originated on the music sharing app SoundCloud during the late 2010s. South Florida rapper SpaceGhostPurrp,[5][8] along with producers within his collective BMB Deathrow,[5] laid the groundwork for what would later become sigilkore,[8] which was pioneered by the collective Jewelxxet.[9] Rapper Islurwhenitalk has been noted as a "sigilkore deity".[10]

A producer from BMB Deathrow, by the name of 4jay (later renamed to Luci4),[5][9] would expand upon this style by frequently including references to Occultism,[9][11][8] within his cover art and lyrics. He is also credited with coining the term around 2019, as well as the collective Jewelxxet with 2shanez and islurwhenitalk and sellasouls.[5][12][9]

The genre exploded in popularity in summer 2021,[8] when Luci4's songs "Bodypartz", "All Eyez on Me", and "Kurxxed Emeraldz" blew up on TikTok.[8][13] The genre was also popularized by American singer Siouxxie's "Masquerade," which would go viral in mid-2021, and by artists Lumi Athena, Odetari and 9lives in 2023.[14][8][15][16][17]

Krushclub

Krushclub
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins2020s, United States
Derivative forms
Other topics

Krushclub is a subgenre of sigilkore, originating in the early 2020s, mixing Jersey club elements with electronic sound qualities, known for its energetic sound and catchy beats.[2][3] According to music journalist Kieran Press-Reynolds, writing for The Face, "there's krush-jerk and krush-cumbia, krush-funk and krush-phonk."[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Shumba, Ano (January 17, 2024). "SA: 9lives inks deal with Pulse Records". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Haven, Simon (February 12, 2025). "Krushclub: The Mysterious Microgenre That Dominated TikTok in 2024". EDMProd. Archived from the original on June 15, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Reynolds, Kieran (April 30, 2024). "THE FACE's guide to the American rap underground". The Face. Archived from the original on July 6, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Barlas, Jon (April 22, 2024). "9lives Interview: 'I want to be the Metro Boomin of the underground'". Our Generation Music. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e Orvis, Jameson (January 15, 2021). "A Guide to Soundcloud's Demonic Underworld". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  6. ^ Lochrie, Conor (July 12, 2024). "9lives Drops Lancey Foux Collaborative Single ABU DHABI". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  7. ^ Rasmussen, Simon (April 19, 2024). "9lives' Latest Single Pushes Sigilkore". Office Magazine. Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Zhang, Cat (December 14, 2021). "The Year in Music on TikTok 2021". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d Press-Reynolds, Kieran (December 13, 2023). "The life (And Death?) of Sigilkore". No Bells. Archived from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  10. ^ Press-Reynolds, Kieran (December 17, 2025). "The Top Five Musical Rabbit Holes of 2025". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  11. ^ Press-Reynolds, Kieran (January 19, 2024). "The Musical Age of Shitpost Modernism". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Nicotine, Retro (July 11, 2021). "Sigilkore & Syve: A deep dive into a new genre and artist". Medium. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  13. ^ Karp, Hannah (August 16, 2021). "From Trends to Tracks: Social Media Creators Are Becoming Musical Tastemakers". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  14. ^ Press-Reynolds, Kieran (July 31, 2024). "Raving in Electrolimbo: Why Won't the Industry Embrace the Future?". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on April 5, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  15. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (February 8, 2025). "9 Crossover Songs Of January 2025 Expanding K-Pop: Jennie, Ateez, Ive". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Downs, Sarah (April 22, 2024). "9lives Praises the Power of the Internet on New Single CANADA". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Lavinthal, Dennis; Beer, Lenny (January 16, 2024). "PULSE lands 9lives". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
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