It’s been over a decade. Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know" peaked in 2012, yet you can’t scroll through TikTok or Reels for more than five minutes without hearing that distinctive xylophone riff reworked into a heavy bassline. The somebody that i used to know rap remix isn’t just one specific song anymore; it’s a sprawling sub-genre of internet culture that refuses to die.
Honestly, the staying power is weird. Usually, a song this overplayed becomes "radio active"—untouchable and annoying. But there is something about the skeletal, haunting production of the original that makes it the perfect canvas for rappers. Whether it’s the high-speed "Lofi" versions or the grit of a 808-heavy trap flip, the remix has outlived the original's chart run by a mile.
The Anatomy of the Perfect Sample
Why this song?
It’s the space. Kimbra and Gotye left so much room in the mix. When a producer grabs that hook, they aren't fighting a wall of sound. They're working with a heartbeat. Most of the somebody that i used to know rap remix iterations you hear today trace their lineage back to a few specific viral moments. You’ve probably heard the version that blends the vocals with a 21 Savage verse or the one that layers it under a drill beat.
The most famous "remix" actually isn't a single official release. It’s a collective effort by bedroom producers on SoundCloud and YouTube. Think about the "Velvet Casca" flip or the various "Slowed + Reverb" versions. They take a song about heartbreak and turn it into a song about the "hustle" or "the struggle." It sounds counterintuitive, but the melancholy of the original provides a perfect emotional backdrop for rap lyrics about betrayal and moving on.
The TikTok Renaissance
In 2021 and 2022, the somebody that i used to know rap remix saw a massive spike. This was largely due to the "Woke Up" remix trends and the mashups featuring T-Pain or Kanye West vocals.
Digital creators realized that the song's "drop"—right where Gotye’s voice hits that high note—is the perfect timing for a visual transition.
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It’s a formula.
- Start with the soft intro.
- Build tension with a rap verse.
- Drop the bass right when the chorus hits.
It works every time.
Why Producers Keep Coming Back to Gotye
Technically speaking, the song is a masterpiece of sampling even in its original form. Gotye sampled Luiz Bonfá’s "Seville" from 1967. This means when a rapper uses a somebody that i used to know rap remix, they are essentially sampling a sample. It’s layers of musical history.
I talked to a few underground producers about this last year. They mentioned that the BPM (Beats Per Minute) of the track—around 129—is incredibly versatile. You can double-time it for a frenetic trap feel or cut it in half for a sluggish, "chopped and screwed" vibe. It’s flexible.
Many people don't realize that Gotye actually made the stems for the song available for remixing early on. He wasn't precious about it. This open-source energy is exactly why the somebody that i used to know rap remix flourished while other 2010s hits faded into obscurity.
Misconceptions About the "Official" Remixes
There is a common belief that there is one "official" rap version. There isn't.
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While artists like Rick Ross and Pitbull (yes, Pitbull) jumped on the track back in the day, those aren't the versions that are trending now. The versions currently racking up millions of streams on unofficial "lofi" channels are often bootlegs.
- The 21 Savage Mashup: This is perhaps the most ubiquitous. It isn't a real collaboration, but the "re-fix" is so seamless that many listeners think it’s a real studio track.
- The Drill Versions: Mostly coming out of the UK and NY scenes, these versions use the xylophone as a high-pitched "melody" over sliding 808s.
- The Trap Metal Flips: Intense, distorted, and loud.
It's a chaotic ecosystem.
The Legal Gray Area
You might wonder how these remixes stay up.
Copyright law is a nightmare for these creators. Often, a somebody that i used to know rap remix will disappear from Spotify or Apple Music overnight because of a DMCA takedown. Then, three days later, it’s back under a different name like "Somebody Remix - Slowed." It’s a game of cat and mouse.
Gotye himself has famously "retired" from the spotlight, but his estate and publishers still keep an eye on things. However, the sheer volume of remixes makes it impossible to police. This is the "Streisand Effect" in action—the more they try to take it down, the more "rare" and viral the bootlegs become.
The Emotional Hook
Let's be real: the reason we still listen to any somebody that i used to know rap remix is the nostalgia. For Gen Z, this song was the soundtrack to their childhood. For Millennials, it was the breakup anthem of their early twenties.
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Mixing that nostalgia with a modern rap beat creates a "new-old" feeling. It’s familiar but fresh. It’s "safe" music that still feels "hard."
When you hear a rapper talking about "friends turned strangers" over the Gotye beat, it hits harder because the beat is already doing the heavy lifting for the emotions. The rapper doesn't have to convince you they're sad or angry; the xylophone already told you that.
How to Find the Best Versions Today
If you're looking for the best somebody that i used to know rap remix, stay away from the major streaming platforms. They usually only have the "safe," cleared versions that sound like elevator music.
Instead, head to SoundCloud or Audiomack. Search for "Somebody That I Used to Know Flip" or "Gotye Type Beat Rap."
You’ll find the raw stuff. The stuff where the bass is too loud and the vocals are slightly pitched down. That’s where the real magic happens.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly appreciate the evolution of this sound, you need to hear the transitions. Start by listening to the original "Seville" by Luiz Bonfá to understand the bones of the track. Then, find the "Velvet Casca" remix on YouTube—it's widely considered the gold standard for how to flip this sample into a modern context. If you're a creator, try using the "isolated vocals" of Kimbra’s verse; it’s one of the most underutilized parts of the track in the rap scene and offers a fresh angle for new remixes. Look for "stems" on producer forums to see how the individual tracks are layered, which is the best way to understand why this specific song works so well for hip-hop production.
The story of the somebody that i used to know rap remix is a testament to how a single piece of art can be dismantled and rebuilt a thousand times and still keep its soul. It’s not just a trend; it’s a permanent part of the digital audio landscape.