Сквозь сон by Типси Тип Zambezi Sun'til Короб: A Head-Nodding Journey Through Russian Hip-Hop
Alright, so here’s the deal—Сквозь сон (translation: "Through a Dream") is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. Released back in 2014 by some underground Russian cats calling themselves Типси Тип Zambezi Sun'til Короб, it’s not your typical hip-hop record. No big-label gloss, no chart-topping singles—just raw vibes and beats that feel like they were stitched together late at night with a cigarette dangling off someone's lip.
The genre? Hip-hop, sure, but this ain’t your run-of-the-mill boom-bap or trap flexing. It’s got its own weird pulse, somewhere between chill and chaotic. And let me tell ya, it works. The album came out under Not On Label, which honestly fits perfectly because these guys don’t seem like they’d play by anyone else’s rules anyway.
Now, onto the tracks. I gotta shout out Сквозь сон, the title track itself. This one sticks to your brain like gum under a table. The beat is hazy, almost like you’re walking through fog while trying to remember where you left your keys. The flow from Типси Тип feels unhurried, as if he’s just talking to himself—or maybe directly to you. There’s something about how his voice blends into the production; it’s not polished, but that rough-around-the-edges charm makes it memorable. It’s the kind of song you put on when you’re staring out a rainy window, lost in thought.
Another banger worth mentioning is… well, okay, full disclosure—I can’t find the exact names of all the tracks online (shoutout to obscure Russian rap), but there’s another cut near the middle of the album that slaps hard. It’s got this gritty bassline paired with scratchy samples that sound like they were pulled straight from an old VHS tape. The lyrics? Hard to catch without a dictionary nearby, but you don’t really need ‘em. The vibe says enough. You know when a track just feels right? That’s this one.
What I love most about Сквозь сон is how unapologetically DIY it feels. These dudes clearly weren’t chasing fame or TikTok virality—they made this thing for themselves, and if you happen to vibe with it too, cool. If not, whatever. That attitude gives the whole project a sense of freedom, like flipping through someone’s personal sketchbook.
Here’s the kicker though—the more I listen, the less I understand why this album hasn’t blown up beyond Russia. Maybe it’s too niche, too dreamlike for mainstream ears. Or maybe it’s exactly what we need more of—a reminder that music doesn’t have to scream for attention to leave a mark.
So yeah, check it out if you’re tired of the same old stuff. Just be warned—you might end up zoning out halfway through and forgetting what day it is.
