album · September 23, 2016
Codeine Demonz vol. 2
DJ Smokey & DJ Smokey 666See this day
electronichip-hop
This 2016 mixtape showcases DJ Smokey's signature syrupy, slowed-down edits of underground club tracks and rap instrumentals. It further cemented his status as a key figure in the internet-born, sample-heavy aesthetic that blends Southern hip-hop with deconstructed club music.
- The album was released on the artist's own DJ Smokey 666 imprint. It features a blend of original productions and slowed-down edits of popular and underground tracks. The release arrived after Smokey's initial SoundCloud and Bandcamp uploads gained significant traction within niche online communities.
- The mixtape is characterized by its heavy use of pitch-shifting, reverb, and tape-hiss emulation. It draws heavily from the sonic palette of Memphis rap and chopped and screwed pioneers like DJ Screw. The release compiles tracks that were popular in DJ Smokey's sets around that time.
- The release is presented as a digital download and features cover art typical of Smokey's lo-fi, sample-based aesthetic. It has been cited as an influential release for artists exploring similar slowed-down, atmospheric hip-hop sounds. Its title directly references the iconic "Codeine" series of mixtapes by DJ Screw.
DJ Smokey is a Lithuanian electronic music producer and DJ known for his contributions to the chopped and screwed and Memphis rap revival scenes. Codeine Demonz vol. 2 was released in the middle of his prolific period of independent digital releases, following a string of mixtapes and EPs that built his cult following online.
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