The recent release of Tame Impala’s album Deadbeat, their first in five years, has reignited interest in the band’s longstanding influence within the rap genre. Following its debut at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart dated November 1, 2023, the album has garnered high praise from prominent artists, including Travis Scott, who referred to it as “the best album to come out in the last two years” on his Instagram Story. The album also claimed the top position on six Billboard charts, including Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums.
This renewed attention provides an opportunity to explore the deep connection between Tame Impala and the rap world. The Australian band’s frontman, Kevin Parker, has collaborated with various hip-hop artists, including Scott himself. Parker co-produced the track “Skeletons,” which featured on Scott’s acclaimed 2018 album Astroworld. During a performance at the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in 2018, Scott expressed his admiration for Parker and the track, noting how the beat had resonated with him for months.
Parker reflected on this collaboration in a cover story for Billboard, stating, “I was struck by how much I thought it would fit Travis’ thing even though it’s not hip-hop-sounding.” The artistic satisfaction from working with Scott has been evident for Parker, who described their partnership as fulfilling due to the extensive time and effort invested in the song.
In addition to collaborations, Tame Impala’s influence is evident in numerous rap songs that have sampled or interpolated their music. Notably, Don Toliver sampled Tame Impala’s “One More Hour” from their 2020 album The Slow Rush on his single “Bandit,” which became a top ten hit on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Similarly, Kid Cudi incorporated elements from “One More Hour” in his track “HUMAN MADE” from his 2024 album INSANO.
The reach of Tame Impala’s sound extends beyond these recent examples. The song “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” from their critically acclaimed 2015 album Currents has been sampled by multiple artists, including LISA of BLACKPINK, who interpolated it in her 2024 single “Rockstar.” This track marked a significant achievement, becoming her first No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.
Other notable instances include Kid Cudi sampling “Love/Paranoia” from Currents on his song “Dive,” and A$AP Rocky utilizing “Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?” from the 2010 album Innerspeaker in his 2018 track “Sundress.” The electric guitar loop and production style from Tame Impala’s work have become a staple in modern hip-hop, illustrating their significant impact on the genre.
In a surprising turn, Rihanna covered “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” on her album Anti, which further demonstrates the band’s reach beyond hip-hop. Parker admitted to being taken aback by the cover, stating, “I thought, ‘That’s cool, I guess that means she thought it didn’t need changing in any way.’”
The ongoing relationship between Tame Impala and the rap community highlights the fluidity of musical genres and the collaborative spirit within the industry. As Parker continues to produce and collaborate, the influence of Tame Impala on rap will likely persist, with new generations of artists drawing inspiration from their distinctive sound.
This exploration of Tame Impala’s influence on rap music underscores the band’s unique ability to transcend genre boundaries, creating a rich tapestry of musical collaboration that resonates with both fans and artists alike. As the music industry evolves, Tame Impala’s contributions will undoubtedly remain a significant part of the conversation.
