Flatbush Zombies are a trio of rappers from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, that have been making songs for years. It consists of rappers Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and Erick The Architect. They were a part of the Beast Coast movement in the 2010s. Known for their unique production from Erick The Architect, the group mixed third-eye and drug talk with effortless, clever wordplay. However, recently, the focus has shifted to each member’s solo work. They have not broken up or alluded to doing so anytime soon. Zombie Juice is gearing up to release his solo debut Love Without Conditions on April 21. Because of this, we decided to go down memory lane and look at their top streaming songs as a group.
10. “Sliders” – Meechy Darko feat. Flatbush Zombies and Col3trane (2022)
This Flatbush Zombies song is unique because of the artist credits. Meechy is a member of Flatbush Zombies, but since this is actually a solo single from him, his other two group members count as features. Furthermore, Col3trane is an artist Erick has worked with before too. The Zombies mostly stay in the rap lane on this one while name-dropping various brands. The flows are quick and concise. Col3trane handles the hook with smooth sung vocals. Erick’s verse has a small moment of a rap-sung flow too. The production features keys that are just as smooth as the hook but the drums, specifically the snare, truly stick out. Even considering all these highlights, listeners think there could be more to the song since it ends so abruptly.
9. “36 Chamber Flow” (2013)
This Flatbush Zombies song is definitely a deep cut in their discography. The song is on a compilation project called Loosies from Brooklyn-based indie label Fool’s Gold. The song’s title pays homage to the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan. Erick’s production does, too, with a simplistic bass line, eerie melody, and simple drums. Many listeners were surprised about Meech’s verse on the track. It’s not because of what he said but how he said it. Often, he will opt to play up the raspiness of his voice to give it even more character. However, he forgoes this on this track and keeps his energy low-key as well. This was a wise choice as it fits in with the production’s tone.
8. “Afterlife” (2020)
This Flatbush Zombies song is a single that’s not on any full projects. One of the most important draw-ins for this song was its music video. In it, the trio is shown through what looks like an X-ray machine. Various other people, animals, and items join them in the video, creating a unique and eye-catching visual. This one is special because it was produced by James Blake. He also worked with Erick on other music. James crafts an eerie soundscape for the trio that features deep bass, skittering drums, pianos, and eerie sirens. Various other sound effects pop in throughout the song, too. The biggest indicator that James produced it is how his looped vocalizations are part of the production. This one has Zombie Juice singing the hook, with Meechy Darko giving him backup vocals.
7. “Smoke Break (Interlude)” (2016)
This Flatbush Zombies song is the interlude on their debut album 3001: A Laced Odyssey. It comes in exactly at the halfway point of the project. Over minimal drums and a psychedelic melody, Erick and Zombie Juice sing about the joys of one of their favorite activities. They both have slight vocal filters on their voices, which enhances the atmosphere of the song. This track serves as the perfect bridge between the two halves of the album due to its pacing. Zombie Juice’s sung moments sound as relaxed as the production floating around him. However, this is the first song on this list that does not feature a verse from Meech. Perhaps this was done to keep the track the length of an interlude since it hit the two-minute mark.
6. “A Spike Lee Joint” feat. Anthony Flammia (2016)
This is another one of the more peaceful songs in the Flatbush Zombies’ discography. It’s also another rare one with a feature from an outside artist. Anthony Flammia sings the hook on the song and has what appears to be background vocalizations on it, too. His airy vocals are between rapped verses from Zombie Juice and Erick. Both of them take moments in their verses to reflect on things they did in the past and how things have and haven’t changed since then. Since Erick’s production is slower-paced here, Zombie Juice decides to bring the energy with his delivery. Erick opts to keep things smooth as Anthony’s vocals within the production are turned down but continue during his verse. Furthermore, there’s also a saxophone woven into the production, which gives the track an even more relaxing feeling.
5. “Left Hand” feat. The Underachievers, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight and CJ Fly (2019)
This Flatbush Zombies song comes from the Beast Coast supergroup album Escape from New York. It has eight people on it but lasts just over three and a half minutes, an average song length. This was achieved by the fact each person’s verse is a quick eight or so bars. Many of them also used a fast flow during their verses. This structure also allowed Meech’s hook to be used throughout the song. Keeping in line with the third eye talk associated with Beast Coast, each verse (and the hook) uses the word/letter “I.” Most artists on the song also reference their relationship with Flatbush Zombies, showing their relationship extends beyond the music. All of this happens over production from Tyler Dopps and Sam Wish. They provide a mysterious melody and skittering drums that give the song a mysterious yet energetic feeling.
4. “Distance” feat. Issa Gold, Joey Bada$$ and Erick The Architect (2019)
This song only features one member of Flatbush Zombies. The verse on it comes from Erick The Architect. This is a short one from the Escape from New York album, but there’s still quality in its length. Joey Bada$$ is on hook duty and uses a casually sung delivery. His tone is as light as the keys from Powers Pleasant’s song production. Issa Gold of The Underachievers sets the tone for the rapped verses with his closing bars accented by ad-libs. Joey’s verse followed a similar structure but used echoed backup vocals instead of ad-libs. However, Erick’s verse is primarily absent of both of these techniques, but he is also the most energetic. It also has the most abrupt ending, which in a way, makes it the most impactful.
3. “New Phone, Who Dis?” (2016)
This is the longest song from Flatbush Zombies on this list. It’s another cut from 3001: A Laced Odyssey. This one is a standout for several reasons amongst listeners. One, the first time the hook is heard, there’s a sound like a phone ringing on vibrate that’s used. Many of them said this moment made them think their phone was ringing. Next, this track features what’s helmed as one of Meech’s best verses. For almost two and a half minutes, he flows without taking a breath. He also uses multiple flow switches and weaves in references to Coming to America, Futurama, and Fetty Wap. As he does all of this, the beat almost stays the same but has a few moments where new sounds come in to keep things interesting. Erick and Zombie Juice’s verses are before and after his, but he had the most significant effect on listeners.
2. “Headstone” (2018)
This is a unique Flatbush Zombies song on this list. For one, it’s the only song from their second album, Vacation in Hell. The title also serves as a double reference for the group’s name and the song’s subject matter. Each member’s verse is packed with song and album references to hip-hop artists from the past. These artists have either passed away, or their music is “dead” compared to the current popular rap artists. All the references are to artists that have influenced the group somehow. Listeners have spoken about picking up on a new reference almost whenever they hear the song. It is an example of the creativity of the group’s lyricism and how they are still students of the rap game.
1. “Bounce” (2016)
This is the most popular Flatbush Zombies song besides some tracks from their mixtapes. It features a full verse from all three members and no hook. This allows each member’s style to be displayed as each follows the next. Erick’s verse is unique because it references other songs from the group’s discography. The first is “Thug Waffle, ” their first hit in the underground rap world. A brief soundbite of the song’s instrumental plays during his mention. He also references their song “Palm Trees,” which was one of their first hits outside of the underground scene and it has a remix with Snoop Dogg. Meech and Zombie Juice’s verses trade in sentimental moments like this for animated deliveries and flow switches.
Is your favorite Flatbush Zombies song on this list? Let us know in the comments section.
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