Big Baby Tape
Big Baby Tape is one of the most prominent representatives of the generation of artists that shaped the modern sound of Russian-language trap in the late 2010s and the first half of the 2020s. Behind this name is Egor Rakitin — a rapper, beatmaker, and producer who managed to turn his passion for Western hip-hop into a large-scale music project with an audience of millions.
His interest in music appeared when he was still a teenager. In numerous interviews, the artist has said that computer games, foreign rap, and learning English on his own through song lyrics played a major role in his development. He has repeatedly named artists such as Gucci Mane and MF DOOM, as well as representatives of the American underground, among his key sources of inspiration. That is why his early works show a clear desire to recreate the atmosphere of classic Southern trap while preserving his own delivery and local identity.
Before gaining wide recognition, Big Baby Tape released mixtapes and individual tracks online. During this period, his signature style began to take shape: minimalist beats, frequent use of English-language phrases, sharp rhythmics, and special attention to the sound design of each track. For a new wave of listeners, this sound felt much closer to international trends than most popular Russian-language rap of that time.
One of his first notable releases was the mini-album Hoodrich Tales. However, his real breakthrough came with the album Dragonborn. After its release, the name Big Baby Tape became known far beyond the narrow circle of trap fans. The release quickly reached high positions on music platforms, while individual tracks gained tens of millions of streams.
Dragonborn is often called one of the key works of the new school of Russian-language hip-hop. The album demonstrated how much demand there was for a sound oriented toward global trends. An important role was played not only by the songs themselves but also by the overall approach to production. Many critics noted the quality of the mixing, the choice of instrumentals, and the artist’s ability to create memorable melodic ideas within a hard trap sound.
After the success of his debut full-length release, Big Baby Tape strengthened his position with a series of new works and collaborations. His collaborations regularly became notable events within the industry. Projects with Kizaru attracted particular attention, bringing together two major representatives of the modern rap scene.
The collaborative album BANDANA I became one of the most discussed releases of its period. The record demonstrated a larger and more confident sound, while also confirming the artist’s ability to adapt to changing trends without losing his own musical identity.
Big Baby Tape’s work as a producer deserves special attention. Unlike many performers who rely entirely on outside beatmakers, he actively takes part in creating the music and has a strong understanding of the technical side of recording. Thanks to this, his tracks have a cohesive sound and a recognizable atmosphere.
In the following years, the artist’s discography continued to expand. Among the most notable recent releases are VARSKVA and the collaborative project PEEKABOO with producer Aarne. These works showed the evolution of his approach to making music: the sound became more large-scale, and the production even more detailed.
Big Baby Tape’s musical style is difficult to reduce to a single definition. His tracks include classic trap, elements of drill, modern hip-hop, and even certain references to SoundCloud rap. At the same time, the foundation remains his characteristic delivery, where rhythm, intonation, and the use of pauses play an important role.
Many listeners note the artist’s ability to create tracks that work both as club hits and as fully developed studio recordings with many details. This combination has made him one of the most quoted and recognizable representatives of his generation.
Big Baby Tape has also had a significant influence on young musicians. After his success, more and more artists began appearing on the scene with a focus on international sound and modern production methods. Many new performers openly name him as one of the musicians who helped change the idea of what Russian-language trap can be.
His stage image holds a special place in his work. The artist rarely tries to fit traditional ideas of a pop star. Instead, he focuses on music, visual aesthetics, and his own system of musical references. This approach has helped create a strong community of fans around the project.
Over the years, Big Baby Tape has taken part in major festivals and large-scale music events. His performances are known for their high energy and concentration of his most popular tracks from different stages of his career. Thanks to his large catalog of songs, the artist is able to bring together both listeners familiar with his early releases and fans of his later work.
Today, Big Baby Tape remains one of the key figures of the modern Russian-language rap scene. His career shows how an artist who began with online releases and experiments in a home studio was able to become one of the most recognizable representatives of the new school. The influence of his music can be felt not only in charts and streaming numbers but also in how the sound of an entire generation of artists has changed.