Producer Clams Casino has been credited as pioneering the cloud rap sound as far back as 2010.[5] The production of cloud rap music has been described as "hazy", often including "ethereal vocal samples" and the "aesthetics of bedroomelectronic producers".[5] In a 2010 article, Walker Chambliss presumed that the term was invented by music writer Noz while interviewing rapper Lil B, but the interview in question did not actually include the phrase.[6] Cloud rap artists have been noted to employ "chant-like" vocal samples, as to create a "surreal" effect.[7] According to Nico Amarca of Highsnobiety, the genre was initially defined by the use of "nonsensical catchphrases and Twitter baits", as to parody and embrace internet culture, from which it was created.[7] Amarca also believed Yung Lean to have changed cloud rap through his "melancholic, dreamy rapping".[7] According to FACT, the genre describes "pretty much any lo-fi, hazy rap that makes its way to the net".[6] The genre garnered mainstream attention when rapper A$AP Rocky debuted in 2011.[7] Cloud rap has gotten popular on the "blogosphere", but its general interest has waned.[7]
