Stank Nation
symptoms of exceptionally, sickening music
Disgusting, revolting, disturbing. Not your typical list of adjectives that one would use to describe something they like, let alone love. Fortunately, these rules do not apply to the world of music. Today’s topic is about those songs that illicit a reaction most commonly known as “stank face”. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, close your eyes and imagine yourself being exposed to something grotesque, maybe something with an odor that is undeniably awful. Picture the expression you would make if you found yourself in this situation. Your face may distort, nose and eyebrows scrunched, mouth frowning or lip raised in a slight sneer. You may even let out a “ughh” or an “eww”. Do you have an image in your mind? Good, congratulations. You have just uncovered your own personal stank face. This is a monumental moment so you should take a second to celebrate.
The exact origins of stank face are difficult to determine but the term is most commonly associated with the Funk era which is considered to have started in the late 60’s to early 70’s. Some musicians could be seen displaying a facial expression of disgust as a response to any part of the music that moved them. Stank face is also commonly tied to other genres such as Hip Hop, Jazz and even Heavy Metal. Kahlil Greene, also known as the “Gen-Z Historian”, released a short video titled The Origin of the "Stank Face" which can be found on TikTok and Facebook. I recommend watching this video if you want to learn a bit more about the history of the expression.
This concept of songs with sound and lyrics powerful enough to trigger a physical response has always been something that intrigued me. Growing up in an area uncommonly associated with Funk and Hip-Hop meant I crossed paths with only a handful of individuals who were familiar with their own personal stank face. That’s why when I moved I was pleasantly surprised to find a multitude of individuals who appeared to feel certain types of music in a way I could relate to.
Although there are genres commonly associated with stank face, the expression and the experience, is personal. You may find that your stank face is triggered by beats, songs, artists or genres that are different from your friends. There is nothing wrong with that. Music, like other forms of art, is up for interpretation. Our interpretation of art is often based on our personal experiences, upbringing or even places we’ve lived. Musical microcosms exist within every city, state, country and continent. For example, in the Bay Area your “stank face” could be mistaken for your “thizz face”. I am aware at this point of the article some of the readers over the age of 40 may have completely checked out. Stay with me Suzanne, you can learn new things. Thizz face is a facial expression referenced as part of the track Thizzle Dance that was released in the early 2000’s by the artist Mac Dre. Rapper, songwriter and producer, Mac Dre, was a central figure during the development of the Bay Area’s Hyphy movement. As part of the track’s lyrics, the artist walks the listener through a tutorial on how to successfully execute the Thizzle Dance.
“First, I do like this
Put a look on my face like I smelled some piss
Bounce to the beat 'til it start to hurt
Then I dust all the smirk off me shirt”
As such, thizz face, an arguably exaggerated form of its predecessor, stank face, was born. Of course, the legendary Thizzle Dance is much more than facial expressions. Therefore, if you want to learn, I suggest you study with the expert himself. Watch closely Suzanne.
We took a slight detour but I think it was imperative to showcase how the threads of an artistic movement weave their way from one generation to the next. In an attempt to embrace our uniqueness many of us try desperately to create something that has not yet been discovered. But I think if we were able to embrace the idea that the evolution of art is fueled by influence we would find the process of creating much easier.
What were we talking about? Oh yeah, stank face.
I have spent hours cultivating a playlist of a few (okay a little more than a few) songs that trigger my own stank face. So much time that I was recently informed by Spotify that I was within the top 1% of YG listeners. Needless to say my parents have never been prouder. DISGUST is an absolutely diabolical and at times confusing combination of music from artists like Mike Sherm, Baby Keem, Ohio Players, E-40 and even 100 gecs.
If you or a loved one near you is personally afflicted by the use of explicit language or vulgar references I advise you to grow the fuck up listen with caution.