Cupcakke

Cupcakke
Cupcakke in 2017
Background information
Birth name Elizabeth Eden Harris
Born (1997-05-31) May 31, 1997
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2012–present

Elizabeth Eden Harris (born May 31, 1997), known professionally as Cupcakke (often stylized as cupcakKe), is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois.

Harris began her career as a rapper by releasing material through the internet in late 2012. In 2015, two of her songs, "Deepthroat" and "Vagina", went viral on video sharing websites such as YouTube and WorldStarHipHop.[1] The songs were later included on her debut mixtape Cum Cake, which was released in February 2016 and placed at #23 in Rolling Stone' "Best Rap Albums of 2016" list[2] and received attention from Pitchfork.[3] Her hyper-sexualized, salacious, and often comical lyrical content has gained her songs notoriety across the internet, and she has since developed a strong online fanbase whom she nicknamed "slurpers".[4][1] She has also used her songs as a platform of advocacy for causes such as LGBT rights and female empowerment.

Her second mixtape, S.T.D (Shelters to Deltas), was released in 2016 and was included in Rolling Stone's June 2016 list of the "Best Rap Albums of 2016 So Far".[5] She has also received attention from music publications Complex[6] and The Fader.[7]

Following the release of her mixtapes, Harris debuted her album Audacious in 2016. Her second studio album Queen Elizabitch was released in 2017. In 2018, it was followed by her third studio album Ephorize.

Early life

Harris was born on May 31, 1997,[8] in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised on King Drive, near Parkway Gardens. Being raised by a single mother, Harris spent nearly four years in Chicago’s homeless shelters starting at age seven.[9] She grew up and went to school with other established Chicago rappers such as Lil Reese and Chief Keef. She got an early start into music and poetry at the age of 10 by her involvement in her local church. It was also there that she got her start in performing, where she would perform for her local pastors by reciting poetry about her Christianity and faith.[10]

When she was 13, she met a fellow church-goer who encouraged her to turn the poetry into rap music, and she became infatuated with the new art form. She cites 50 Cent, Lil Kim, & Da Brat as early influences to her musical style.[11][10]

Harris described the pressures she faced while pregnant and expressed regret over the abortion she had in her song, Birthmark, the tenth song in her album Audacious.[12]

Career

2012–2014: Early output

Harris released her first music video, "Gold Digger" onto her official YouTube channel in August 2012, which went viral on the internet. She was only 15 at the time of its release—the original video has since been deleted.[1] Over the next few years, she continued to release original music, as well as freestyles using beats from other artists, through her YouTube channel, where she has amassed over 300,000 subscribers.[13]

2015–2016: Cum Cake, S.T.D (Shelters to Deltas), and Audacious

In October 2015, the official music video for her song "Vagina" was released on YouTube via YMCFilmz. According to Cupcakke, she wrote the song because she was inspired by Khia's song "My Neck, My Back".[14] One month later, Harris released "Deepthroat" on her own channel. Within weeks, the two videos went viral on YouTube, Worldstar, and Facebook due to their overt sexual nature and raunchiness. The songs later became singles for Harris' debut mixtape, Cum Cake, which was released in February 2016. Its release was also supported by further singles such as "Juicy Coochie", "Tit for Tat", and "Pedophile". A writer for Pitchfork called the mixtape a "well rounded introduction to a skilled writer" and said it used songs "about love, loss, and hardship with its more explicit tracks to create a full profile of the up-and-coming Chicago rapper".[3] "Pedophile" was also specifically noted for its powerful lyrics and blunt commentary on sexual assault.[1]

In June 2016, Harris released her second mixtape, S.T.D (Shelters to Deltas) It was preceded by the single "Best Dick Sucker". Other tracks, such as "Doggy Style" and "Motherlands", were also later released as singles. The mixtape was listed among Rolling Stone's "Best Rap Albums of 2016 So Far".[2]

In October 2016, Harris released her debut studio album, Audacious.[15] The album was preceded by the single "Picking Cotton", which was described by MTV News as "a protest song about racist cops".[10] Other tracks on the album such as "Spider-Man Dick" and "LGBT" were accompanied by music videos.

2017–present: Queen Elizabitch and Ephorize

In February 2017, Harris released "Cumshot", which served as the lead single to her second studio album. On March 7, English singer-songwriter Charli XCX premiered her song "Lipgloss", which featured CupcakKe. The song was later included on XCX's mixtape, Number 1 Angel, which was released on March 10.[16]

On March 24, 2017, Harris officially announced her second studio album, titled Queen Elizabitch, which was released on March 31, 2017.[17] The Fader described it as "the type of nasty rap that made her a viral sensation, alongside all-out pop bangers like "33rd" and the confessional a cappella freestyle "Reality, Pt. 4."[18] Stereogum also noted that the album "sees CupcakKe engaging with the current political climate and radio trends in a way that could help her cross over to a more mainstream audience".[19][20]

On April 7, 2017, Queen Elizabitch was removed from online streaming services and digital music stores due to an illegal backing track that Harris had purchased from what she described as a "shady producer". She soon announced on Twitter that Queen Elizabitch would be re-released on April 16, 2017.[21]

On September 1, 2017, Cupcakke revealed a new single, "Exit", and its release date on her Instagram account.[22] It became available for digital download on September 15, 2017.[23] On November 6, 2017, Cupcakke announced on her Twitter the release of her new single, "Cartoons".[24] It was released November 10, 2017.[25]

On December 20, 2017, Cupcakke announced through Twitter that her third studio album, Ephorize, would be released on January 5, 2018.[26] Exclaim! called it "her most polished work to date" and noted that "she still slides in plenty of deliciously dirty one-liners throughout the new record."[27] HotNewHipHop commented that "Ephorize might be one of the most introspective bodies of work she's dropped off to date."[28] Pitchfork awarded the album with the publication's "Best New Music" accolade, calling it Cupcakke's "best album yet, with terrific production and a barrage of raps that reveal Elizabeth Harris to be far more than her hilarious and absurdly raunchy one-liners."[29]

On January 15, 2018, Harris posted the music video for her song "Duck Duck Goose", from Ephorize, on YouTube which garnered much attention from music publication sites such as Vice[30] and Genius.[31] The Fader wrote about it, stating that the "visual features the Chicago rapper showing off an extensive collection of dildos as well as a souvenir Statue of Liberty. "[32] On February 20, the music video for "Fullest", another track from Ephorize, was released which drew more attention with Out calling it "a house party for the Instagram generation... Millennial pink palette: check. Inflatable pool animal: check. Neon backlighting to ensure everyone finds their best angle: check."[33] The video was also recognized by international publications such as Konbini[34] and Ismorbo.[35]

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Album
"Vagina" 2015 Cum Cake
"Deepthroat"
"Juicy Coochie" 2016
"Best Dick Sucker" S.T.D (Shelters to Deltas)
"Panda (Remix)"
"Doggy Style"
"Picking Cotton" Audacious
"Spider-Man Dick"
"Budget"
"LGBT"
"Cumshot" 2017 Queen Elizabitch
"Exit" Ephorize
"Cartoons"
"Quiz" 2018 non-album singles
"Hot Pockets"[36]
"Blackjack"[37]
Title Year Album
"Get Ya Shine On"
(So Drove featuring CupcakKe, Kreayshawn and TT The Artist)		 2017 non-album single
"Lipgloss"
(Charli XCX featuring CupcakKe)		 Number 1 Angel
"I Got It"
(Charli XCX featuring Brooke Candy, Cupcakke and Pabllo Vittar)		 Pop 2
"Iced Out Dick"
(with LIL PHAG and Dr. Woke)		 2018 God Hates Lil Phag
"Falling Fast"
(with Tucker William)		 Falling Fast - The Remixes
"LMK (What's Really Good)
(Kelela featuring Princess Nokia, Junglepussy, Cupcakke and Ms. Boogie)		 Take Me a_Part, the Remixes

Tours

  • The Marilyn Monhoe Tour (2017)[38]
  • Queen Elizabitch Tour (2017)[39]
  • The Ephorize Tour (2018)[40]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Song, Sandra (February 12, 2016). "Listen To Raunchy Chicago Rapper Cupcakke's Anti-Predatory Anthem "Pedophile"". PAPERMAG. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "40 Best Rap Albums of 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Pearce, Sheldon. "9 Great Rap Mixtapes You Might Have Missed This Year". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  4. ↑ Breihan, Tom. "On the Triumphant Nastiness of CupcakKe". Stereogum. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  5. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher R. (June 28, 2016). "Best Rap Albums of 2016 So Far". Rolling Stone.
  6. ↑ Drake, David. "Bout to Blow: 10 Dope Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon". Complex.com.
  7. ↑ Zeichner, Naomi (June 27, 2016). "Best Rappers to Watch 2016". TheFader.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  8. ↑ Harris, Elizabeth [@CupcakKe_rapper] (May 4, 2017). "Yes I am 19 turning 20 on May 31" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017 – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Downing, Andy. "Concert preview: Chicago rapper Cupcakke brings her "Vagina" monologue to MINT". columbusalive.com. Columbus Alive. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 Carvey, Meghan (November 24, 2016). "The True, Freaky Originality of CupcakKe - MTV". Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ Drake, David (April 7, 2016). "A Conversation With CupcakKe, Whose Explicit Sex Raps Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg". Complex.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  12. ↑ CupcakKe - Topic (2016-10-13), Birth Mark, retrieved 2018-09-30
  13. ↑ "cupcakKe - YouTube". Youtube. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  14. ↑ Zane, Zachary (March 30, 2017). "A Kiki with CupcakKe: The Audacious Rapper Is a Queer Icon in the Making". Out. Here Media Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  15. ↑ "CupcakKe Announces New Album "Audacious"". Fader.com. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Charli XCX Announced Number 1 Angel Mixtape, Shared Three New Songs". The FADER. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  17. ↑ Elizabeth Harris [@CupcakKe_rapper] (March 24, 2017). "NEW ALBUM QUEEN ELIZABITCH OUT NOW ON iTUNES 8:30 PM on 03/31/17" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Listen To CupcakKe's New Album Queen Elizabitch". The FADER. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Stream CupcaKke Queen Elizabitch". Stereogum. March 31, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  20. ↑ Jenkins, Craig. "Ephorize Is CupcakKe's Major Breakthrough". Vulture. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  21. ↑ Lee, Christina (April 8, 2017). "Cupcakke's 'Queen Elizabitch' Taken Down From Streaming Services". Idolator. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  22. ↑ "XIT (@cupcakkeafreakk)". Instagram. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Exit - Single by cupcakKe on Apple Music". Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  24. ↑ MonHOE, Marilyn (November 6, 2017). "11/10/17pic.twitter.com/6ikP3KCmdU". @CupcakKe_rapper. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  25. ↑ MonHOE, Marilyn (September 10, 2017). "New single "Cartoons" now available for purchase!!!". @CupcakKe_rapper. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  26. ↑ MonHOE, Marilyn (December 20, 2017). "New album "Ephorize" 1/5/18pic.twitter.com/pLnZHvVM63". @CupcakKe_rapper. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  27. ↑ Murphy, Sarah (January 5, 2018). "Cupcakke 'Ephorize' (album stream)". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  28. ↑ ""cupcakKe Drops Off Her Latest Project 'Ephorize'" by HotNewHipHop". HotNewHipHop. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  29. ↑ Lobenfield, Claire (January 9, 2018). "CupcakKe: Ephorize Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  30. ↑ "CupcakKe's 'Duck Duck Goose' Video is Glorious, Joyful Filth".
  31. ↑ "CupcakKe Breaks Down Official Lyrics For 'Duck Duck Goose' on Genius' Video Series 'Verified'". Genius. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Watch CupcakKe's extremely NSFW 'Duck Duck Goose' video".
  33. ↑ "CupcakKe's 'Fullest' Video Is the February Beach Party We Need".
  34. ↑ "CupcakKe vous présente 'Fullest', son dernier clip haut en couleur". Konbini (in French). Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  35. ↑ "5 LANZAMIENTOS RECIENTES QUE DEBES ESCUCHAR: POST MALONE + SNOOP DOGG + CUPCAKKE Y MÁS". Ismorbo (in Spanish). Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Hot Pockets 6/22/18". Instagram. June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  37. ↑ "8/3/18". Instagram. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  38. ↑ McNeilage, Ross (April 4, 2017). "CupcakKe Announces North American Dates For "Marilyn Monhoe Tour"". BreatheHeavy.com. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  39. ↑ ❌IT (August 1, 2017). "Queen Elizabitch Tourpic.twitter.com/I1pEobOubl". @cupcakke_rapper. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Marilyn MonHOE on Twitter announcing The Ephorize Tour".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.