November 15, 2017: A Morning That Changed Everything, from the perspective of Mike Trampe
It started like any other day. After taking care of my usual morning rituals, I got to work on BeatStars' social media and the day’s objectives. As I scrolled through various channels, I noticed an influx of "R.I.P." posts for someone named Lil Peep. I had heard his name before, but it didn’t resonate with me personally.
I could have ignored it and continued my day—but something about it pulled me in. It insisted I dig deeper. So, I did.
Discovering Lil Peep
The first songs I found were “Awful Things” and “Brightside.” They gave me a glimpse of who Lil Peep was musically. His sound—a fusion of rap and rock with some incredible harmonies—was intriguing. Yet, his lyrics and persona hinted at personal struggles beneath the surface.
Curious, I searched for more information about him and the cause of his passing. A quick Google search revealed that Lil Peep’s real name was Gustav Åhr. He had just turned 21 on November 1. He loved tattoos, was prominent in the underground music scene, and had a fanbase that was fiercely dedicated, invested, and supportive. Oh, and he had a massive catalog of music on SoundCloud.
I liked the few songs I had heard so far, but I wasn’t blown away—at least not yet. Still, something told me to keep digging. Maybe it was the potential I could hear in his music, the passion, or the pain. I knew there was something special about him.
That’s when I came across “Star Shopping.”
The Song That Changed My Perspective
“Star Shopping” was the song that made me get it. If someone had never heard Lil Peep before, this was the track I would tell them to listen to. The comments on the song’s video were astonishing—stories of how it saved lives, helped listeners through dark times, and even stopped people from committing suicide.
How many songs evoke that kind of response? Sure, there are others out there, but this level of impact says so much about who Lil Peep was. Drugs or no drugs, he was human. He made mistakes. He wasn’t perfect.
Unfortunately, he left this world far too soon. But he also touched lives. He reached people. He helped them with their problems, even as he struggled with his own. Songs like “Star Shopping” will live on forever, providing comfort to those who need it.
To me, that’s the essence of music. It should move you. It should give you goosebumps. It should be so relatable that it makes you cry over someone you’ve never met.
Becoming a Fan
As I listened to more of Lil Peep’s music, I became increasingly impressed. Sure, not every track was for me, but the more I heard, the more I appreciated his artistry. He gained a new fan.
Whenever I listen to a great record, I always want to know who produced it. Production has fascinated me since I was young, whether it’s a massive hit or an unknown beat uploaded to BeatStars. That’s how I learned about Kryptik—a 23-year-old producer from Nashville, Tennessee. He had produced “Star Shopping” and three other tracks for Lil Peep.
Reaching Out to Kryptik
A few days after Lil Peep passed, I decided to reach out to Kryptik. I wanted to send my condolences and see if he’d talk to me about Peep, their relationship, and his role in the music. Kryptik responded quickly and agreed to chat.
What I learned was incredible. It showcased the power of music, technology, and creative collaboration. Two SoundCloud accounts in 2015 connected in a way that changed lives forever.
The Bigger Picture
This story is a testament to what we strive to do at BeatStars every day. We connect artists and producers. We help people build sustainable careers. We push innovation. And most importantly, we contribute to the creation of amazing music.
Lil Peep’s words from “Star Shopping” still echo in my mind:
“Shout out to everyone makin’ my beats, you helpin’ me preach,
This music’s the only thing keepin’ the peace when I’m fallin’ to pieces.”
Rest in peace, Lil Peep. Your music and legacy live on.
THE INTERVIEW
The Discovery of Lil Peep
Trampe: How did you discover Lil Peep and decide to work with him?
Kryptik: I first found Peep on SoundCloud in September 2015. He’d just posted “Praying to the Sky (Prod. Greaf)” and it caught my attention. I left a comment saying, “You’re about to blow.” To my surprise, he reached out and asked for a beat. I sent him the instrumental for “Star Shopping” the next day, and within 24 hours, he sent back the finished version. Even though his mic had broken halfway through recording, we loved it and released it right away. The rest is history.
Kryptik’s Creative Process
Trampe: How would you describe your sound?
Kryptik: My sound is mostly sad and melodic, but it depends on how I feel when I start. Sometimes I have ideas ready to go, and other times I start from scratch and build as I go along.
Trampe: What tools do you use to create your beats?
Kryptik: I use Logic Pro X on my Mac Mini, with an Alesis Q25 MIDI controller, KRK Rokit 5 G3 speakers, and a PreSonus AudioBox.
Trampe: What went into the creation of “Star Shopping”?
Kryptik: I sampled the guitar from “Never Mess With Sunday” by Yppah. I was new to producing then and wanted to keep it emotional but simple. It worked out, even though I didn’t fully know what I was doing at the time.
Working with Lil Peep
Trampe: What was it like working with Peep?
Kryptik: We never met in person, but our connection was strong. He was incredible with lyrics, and when I heard my beat combined with his words, I got chills. It made me realize that making music was what I truly wanted to do.
Trampe: “Star Shopping” has had a huge impact on listeners. What are your thoughts on that?
Kryptik: It’s amazing to see how a song can help people. I’ve received countless messages from fans saying the song saved their lives or helped them through dark times. Peep had this gift of expressing emotions that people could relate to deeply.
Reflecting on Lil Peep’s Passing
Trampe: How did you feel when you heard about Peep’s passing?
Kryptik: It was heartbreaking. He was only 21 and had so much ahead of him. His struggles with addiction and depression are things so many people face, and it’s a reminder of how serious these issues are. I hope his story encourages people to seek help and support when they need it.
Kryptik’s Legacy and Future
Trampe: You’ve done more work with Peep and have upcoming projects. Can you share more?
Kryptik: I produced four songs for Peep: “Star Shopping,” “The Way I See Things,” “Nothing to You,” and “Give You the Moon.” Unfortunately, I don’t have any unreleased tracks with him, but I’m grateful for what we created.
Right now, I’m working with some amazing artists and have an EP titled “Goodbye...” coming out in January. It’ll be on SoundCloud, YouTube, and possibly other streaming platforms, so stay tuned.
Closing Thoughts
Trampe: Thanks for sharing your story, Kryptik. Any final words?
Kryptik: Thank you for having me. Peep changed my life, and I’m honored to have been a part of his legacy. Music has a way of bringing people together, and I hope to keep creating pieces that resonate with others the way Peep’s music did.
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