In 2022, Alex Yatsun found himself living in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, just 30km from the border. The experience shifted his reality completely, with bombs falling around him on a regular basis. Yatsun’s family evacuated, but he made the brave decision to return to the more dangerous territory in order to volunteer at a medical center. However, tragedy struck when his house was hit by shelling. This led Yatsun to move closer to central Ukraine for his own safety.
Despite the challenges he faced, Yatsun, now 24 years old, managed to create a new 21-track compilation album under his DJ alias, DJ Sacred. Titled “Dungeon Rap: the Evolution,” the album is a sequel to his previous work, “Dungeon Rap: the Introduction.” Yatsun is credited with creating dungeon rap, a unique blend of lo-fi atmospheric southern hip-hop, inspired by Memphis rap from the late 80s and early 90s, and dungeon synth, a Scandinavian sub-genre that combines dark ambient and black metal.
Yatsun’s compilations feature various musical aliases, allowing him to explore different musical personalities within the genre. This approach not only gives him artistic freedom but also presents the illusion of a thriving musical scene around the emerging genre. Yatsun explains, “I thought I could reinvent the process by having these different approaches. DJ Armok is more reliant on bass and closely connected to Memphis rap, whereas Pillbox focuses on the ethereal and transcendental – like a sublime melancholic feeling.”
The result is a moody and atmospheric sound. Synths create a sense of doom, while lo-fi beats and sampled vocals add texture and depth. Yatsun’s dedication to Memphis rap led him to dissect hundreds of tracks, collecting beats, vocals, melodies, and synth lines to create a library of samples. These samples, available as mega packs, provide a foundation for other artists to put their own unique spin on the genre.
Yatsun’s music also reflects a dark and ominous theme, evoking a feeling of impending doom. He describes his music as “the end of times” and sees it as a reflection of his own life and beliefs about the future. Yatsun draws inspiration from the writings of Mark Fisher, a late theorist and music critic, who explored the concept of hauntology. Yatsun explains, “It relates to the idea of a lost future. Since the 2013 uprising, most of my life has lacked stability or a clear vision of the future. I can’t predict my own future because I don’t even believe in the concept of one. Through this music, I have nostalgia for a past that I have never experienced. It’s like a fantasy.”
Yatsun’s innovative approach to creating a genre from scratch has gained traction beyond Ukraine. Dungeon rap artists and labels have emerged in countries like Finland, Germany, and the UK. Yatsun believes that the themes of alienation and a sense of hopelessness resonate with people worldwide, especially the younger generation. He remarks, “It’s not limited to Ukraine. We are all experiencing this, as the promises of neoliberalism and a better future have started to crumble.”
There is also a personal aspect to Yatsun’s music, as it serves as an outlet for his own struggles and negative emotions. He explains, “If you look at my most popular tracks, they were written during difficult times for me. I often have strong, negative emotions, and I try to overcome them through my art. That’s why my music can be quite depressing at times.”
What began as a teenage experiment has evolved into a global network united by the unique sounds of dungeon rap. Yatsun describes his creation as his brainchild, and he sees the release of “Dungeon Rap: the Evolution” as his child growing up and finding its voice. The album is now available on Natural Sciences.
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