Rapstar - American

The 2020 documentary serves as a raw, academic exploration of the SoundCloud rap phenomenon . Directed by Justin Staple, it chronicles the rise of a new generation of lo-fi, internet-driven artists who bypassed traditional industry gatekeepers to disrupt global pop culture. The Rise of a Counter-Culture

: The New York Times pop music critic provides a running commentary, observing that "what young people want out of pop culture isn't what old people want". American Rapstar

The film focuses on the "SoundCloud era," roughly from the mid-2000s to today, highlighting artists like , Smokepurpp , Bhad Bhabie , and the late Lil Peep and XXXTentacion . These artists characterized a "new wave" fueled by: The 2020 documentary serves as a raw, academic

The documentary is framed through the insights of industry observers and psychological experts: The film focuses on the "SoundCloud era," roughly

: Available for purchase or rent on digital platforms as of October 2022.