Samara Cyn is rap's best new writer
5/8/202638 min
How do you write a rap verse that's clever without saying so? Samara Cyn, one of the sharpest young writers in hip-hop, joins us to talk about Detour, her new EP about going analog. We get into wordplay versus narrative, the Missy Elliott blueprint behind "oooshxt!", and why she takes a knee in the vocal booth when a line won't come out. Songs Discussed Samara Cyn — "Sinner" Samara Cyn "BUSHWICK" Samara Cyn — "FREE" Samara Cyn — "Highest" Samara Cyn — "oooshxt!" Samara Cyn — "summer's turning" Samara Cyn — "over influence" Samara Cyn — "Nomad" Samara Cyn — "Bad Brain" Newsletter: https://switchedonpop.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsCharlie Harding· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Welcome to Switched on Pop. I'm songwriter Charlie Harding. My favorite rapper right now is hands down Samara Sin.
Samara Cyn· Guest0:13
I'm a born sinner, better get that gone. 85, burnin' rubber till I get back home, uh. And bitter is the fruit that fell early. Slither with these snakes on me, Lord have mercy. Hands in his chicken, no churches. Throwin' up to purge it, Lord forgive me for these urges.
Charlie Harding· Host0:30
And it's not an original take. I get it. She has been co-signed by Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Nas. XXL named her one of 2025's Freshman Class. Alumni include Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyler, the Creator. She's received the South by Southwest Grulke Prize. She's part of Rolling Stone's Future 25, Billboard's Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month, and an EP she put out last summer called Back Roads. It's been called the sixth best of the year.
Samara Cyn· Guest0:56
Spend my rent money on these brand-new teeth. Out of my plate, got a big old feast. Brand-new bag from a brand-new fee. Swimmin' in hype like a big white T.
Charlie Harding· Host1:04
She came up through spoken word and poetry, and learned to rap by studying Slick Rick and Lupe Fiasco. She is quickly becoming one of the best.
Samara Cyn· Guest1:12
Followin' footsteps. Can't fake this shit with your left side foot, little bitch, you'll trip on First Street, huh.
Charlie Harding· Host1:17
Now she's back with her third project. It's an EP called Detour, and I got to talk with her about it. So here's my conversation with my current favorite rapper, Samara Sin. [upbeat music] Samara, thank you so much for being on Switched on Pop.
Samara Cyn· Guest1:29
Absolutely.