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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
Other topics

Sigilkore is an electronic music movement and microgenre that incorporates elements of trap music and cloud rap, originating in the late 2010s on SoundCloud. It is characterized by extremely complicated DJ mixing and digital stereo effects, often layered in-post over recorded vocals.

Etymology

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The term "sigil" derives from the Latin sigillum (pl. sigilla), meaning "seal". In medieval magic, the term sigil was commonly used to refer to occult signs which represented various angels and demons which the practitioner might summon.

Characteristics

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Sigilkore is characterized by difficult mixing and digital stereo effects, often layered in-post over recorded vocals, alongside bass-boosted 808s, wide and reverb-soaked synths, and bitcrush effects.

In sigilkore music, lyrical themes mostly revolve around dark themes,[4] including blood and vampires.[4] 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.[5][6]

The visual aesthetics of sigilkore draw influence from occultism, religious iconography such as that of angels and demons, anime and early internet-related artwork, particularly those associated with the 2006 online GIF-editor Blingee.

History

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Sigilkore originated on the music sharing app SoundCloud during the late 2010s. South Florida rapper SpaceGhostPurrp,[4][7] along with producers within his collective BMB Deathrow,[7] laid the groundwork for what would later become Sigilkore,[7] which was pioneered by producers, Odetari, Luci4, and 9lives.[8][9][1]

Luci4, a member of BMB Deathrow, would expand upon this style by frequently including references to Occultism,[10] within his cover art and lyrics. He is also credited with coining the term for Sigilkore around 2019. [citation needed] He is also known for creating the Sigilkore collective "Jewelxxet" alongside 2shanez and islurwhenitalk. [citation needed]

Sigilkore, as a genre exploded in popularity in summer 2021,[7] when Luci4's songs "Bodypartz",[7] "All Eyez on Me",[7] and "Kurxxed Emeraldz"[7] blew up on TikTok.[11][10] The genre was also popularized by siouxxie's "masquerade," which would go viral in mid-2021[7] and Odetari.[12]

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Krushclub

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Krushclub
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 2020s, America
Derivative forms
Other topics

Krushclub is a subgenre of sigilkore, originating in the early 2020s, mixing Jersey club[3] elements with electronic sound qualities, known for its energetic sound and catchy beats.[2] Similar to Glitchcore, it has gained prominence throughout various social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. The term "krush" comes from a digital audio effect named a bitcrusher.

Krushfunk

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Krushfunk is a subgenre of krushclub which mixes elements of electronic music with Brazilian funk music, the term was coined by Xxanteria.[3] Lumi Athena's "Smoke It Off" with Jnhygs led to the creation of the genre, while the increasing traction of the song rose it to prominence. Other notable artists who aided the rise in popularity and granted importance to the genre, include 6arelyhuman, Luci4,[3] and Odetari.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Shumba, Ano (January 17, 2024). "SA: 9lives inks deal with Pulse Records". Music In Africa. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Haven, Simon (February 12, 2025). "Krushclub: The Mysterious Microgenre That Dominated TikTok in 2024". EDMProd. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Reynolds, Kieran (April 30, 2024). "THE FACE's guide to the American rap underground". The Face. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Orvis, Jameson (January 15, 2021). "A Guide to Soundcloud's Demonic Underworld". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Lochrie, Conor (July 12, 2024). "9lives Drops Lancey Foux Collaborative Single ABU DHABI". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  6. ^ Rasmussen, Simon (April 19, 2024). "9lives' Latest Single Pushes Sigilkore". Office Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Zhang, Cat (December 14, 2021). "The Year in Music on TikTok 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  8. ^ Downs, Sarah (April 22, 2024). "9lives Praises the Power of the Internet on New Single CANADA". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  9. ^ Lavinthal, Dennis; Beer, Lenny (January 16, 2024). "PULSE lands 9lives". Hits Daily Double. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Press-Reynolds, Kieran (January 19, 2024). "The Musical Age of Shitpost Modernism". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Karp, Hannah (August 16, 2021). "From Trends to Tracks: Social Media Creators Are Becoming Musical Tastemakers". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2025. Kurxxed Emeraldz shot upward 61% to 206,000 streams in the U.S during the same time period, underlining Glitchgirlmaster's ability to break songs through original social media content.
  12. ^ Benjamin, Jeff. "9 Crossover Songs Of January 2025 Expanding K-Pop: JENNIE, ATEEZ, IVE". Forbes. Retrieved June 22, 2025.