Man, 2016 was a weird time. Everybody was freezing in place for the Mannequin Challenge, and for some reason, we all collectively decided that the perfect soundtrack for standing still was a song about being a rock star. That song, of course, was Black Beatles. But if you only remember that era for the viral clips, you’re missing the bigger picture. SremmLife 2 wasn't just a "sequel" album. It was the moment Rae Sremmurd proved they weren't just a flash in the pan.
People really thought they were a one-hit wonder after "No Flex Zone." Critics were ready to write them off as "party rappers" with no staying power. Instead, Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi linked back up with Mike Will Made-It and dropped a project that was weirder, darker, and way more experimental than the first one.
The Sophomore Slump That Never Happened
Sophomore albums are scary. You either double down on what worked or try to "evolve" and lose your soul. On SremmLife 2, the brothers did something in the middle.
The energy is still there—look at "Start a Party"—but there’s this hazy, almost melancholic vibe creeping in on tracks like "Look Alive." It’s moody. It’s got these eerie, echoing synths. It felt like the party was still going, but the sun was starting to come up and everyone was a little bit exhausted but didn't want to go home.
Honestly, the chemistry between the two brothers is what makes it work. Swae Lee has that high-pitched, melodic flow that everyone tries to copy now. Then you have Slim Jxmmi, who just comes in and punches the track in the face with pure energy. It shouldn't work, but it does.
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That "Black Beatles" Momentum
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the mannequin in the room.
Black Beatles featuring Gucci Mane wasn't even the first single. It actually took a few months to really explode. But once those students in Florida posted that first Mannequin Challenge video with the song playing, it was over. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed there for seven weeks.
Even Paul McCartney did the challenge. Think about that for a second. An actual Beatle acknowledged two kids from Tupelo, Mississippi, as the new-age version of his legendary band. That’s not just a "viral moment." That’s a cultural shift.
What People Miss About the Tracklist
While everyone was obsessing over the hits, there were some deep cuts on SremmLife 2 that showed where rap was heading.
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- Swang: This song is basically a masterclass in Swae Lee’s melodic ability. It’s laid back, it’s catchy, and it eventually went five times platinum.
- Real Chill: Pairing up with Kodak Black was a genius move. It’s one of the grittier moments on the album.
- By Chance: This beat is ridiculous. Mike Will Made-It used what sounds like a garage door or some heavy machinery for the percussion. It’s minimal but heavy.
The Production Secret Sauce
Mike Will Made-It is basically the third member of the group. Without his "EarDrummers" sound, the album wouldn't have the same weight. He has this way of making beats that feel "empty" in a good way. There’s a lot of space.
That space allows the brothers to do their weird ad-libs and screechy yelps without the song feeling cluttered. It’s a very specific Atlanta-via-Mississippi sound that sounds great in a club but also weirdly introspective if you’re listening on headphones at 2 AM.
Some people complain that the second half of the album drags a bit. Yeah, maybe "Do Yoga" isn't their best work. But compared to the "fast food" trap music that was flooding the market at the time, SremmLife 2 had a lot of personality.
Why We’re Still Talking About It
Most "viral" albums from ten years ago have aged like milk. You hear them now and they just sound dated.
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But SremmLife 2 feels different. It captures a specific sense of youthful freedom. It was the peak of the "SoundCloud Rap" era's influence on the mainstream before things got really dark and emo. It was just... fun.
How to Revisit the SremmLife Era
If you're going back to listen to this, don't just put it on shuffle.
- Watch the videos: Their music videos are a chaotic mess of parties, money, and weird outfits. It adds to the experience.
- Listen to the Deluxe Version: You need "Swang" and "Just Like Us." They aren't on the standard 11-track version but they are essential to the vibe.
- Pay attention to the ad-libs: Rae Sremmurd pioneered a style of "noise-making" as a background instrument. It’s everywhere in modern rap now.
Instead of just treating it as nostalgia, look at how many artists today use Swae Lee's vocal inflections. He basically drew the blueprint for the melodic trap star. Slim Jxmmi’s "I don't care" attitude is the DNA of current energetic rap.
Go back and play "Look Alive" on a good sound system. If that opening synth doesn't make you feel something, you might be a mannequin yourself.
Next Step: Pull up the SremmLife 2 (Deluxe) on your streaming platform of choice. Start from track one, but pay special attention to the transition between "Real Chill" and "By Chance"—it's a perfect example of how they balanced grit with commercial appeal.