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Hella Sketchy

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Jacob Tyler Thureson (January 11, 2001- June 27, 2019) known professionally as Hella Sketchy, was a Hip-hop artist and producer originally from Los Angeles, CA. Emerging from the vibrant Soundcloud community, he swiftly ascended to prominence, securing a record deal with APG/Atlantic at the young age of 17. He is one of the pivotal figures in the Happy Trap musical genre.

Jacob was born on January 11, 2001, in Thousand Oaks, California to parents Judy Salgado-Thureson and Erik Thureson. He has two younger siblings named Emma, and Sydney. Raised in a nurturing and spiritually rich environment in Los Angeles, Jacob showed remarkable talent from a young age. Praised for his abilities, he was called "Gifted" at just six, taught himself programming by 10, and became skilled in guitar and music production by 13. Notably, he made his first online beat sale at 14 before securing his significant record deal with APG/Atlantic Records.

Acknowledged for his empathetic disposition, Thureson grappled with heightened sensitivity (HSP) alongside clinically diagnosed depression and anxiety. Despite earnestly pursuing various conventional treatments and medications to alleviate his mental health struggles, he ultimately resorted to self-medication in search of relief. Tragically, less than a year following his signing, he succumbed on June 27, 2019, at 5:11 a.m., within the confines of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, precisely two weeks after his admission.

Career

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At just six years old, Hella Sketchy picked up the guitar, and by the age of nine, he was enrolled in lessons at a specialized music school. A pivotal bonding experience occurred between Hella Sketchy and his father, Erik Thureson, as they jammed together on Green Day songs, laying the foundation for his musical journey. A notable testament to his early passion for music is captured in a video showing him as a child diving into the atmosphere of a Green Day concert, captivating a crowd of approximately 30,000 people.

Transitioning into adolescence, Hella Sketchy found solace in music when his family relocated to another state. Turning to platforms like SoundCloud, he discovered a creative outlet that ignited his interest in music production at the tender age of 13. Demonstrating remarkable talent, he made his first beat sale at just 14 years old, marking the commencement of a burgeoning career in music production.

In the nascent stages of his production journey, Hella Sketchy delved into crafting lo-fi beats characterized by airy, chill, and atmospheric vibes. Describing his sound as "wavy elegant trap," he continuously honed his craft, experimenting with different styles and techniques. His dedication and innovation quickly garnered attention, with notable achievements including producing tracks for emerging artists like P&B Rock.

Within six months of stepping into the realm of music production, Hella Sketchy had already secured placements with artists of growing prominence, such as Juice WRLD. Notably, his production credits included the track "5 AM Outro" on Juice WRLD's EP "Twilight Zone" and the leaked song "Work." Despite Juice WRLD's initial lack of fame, collaborating with Hella Sketchy was regarded as a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

As his reputation grew, Hella Sketchy solidified his position as a prominent figure in the underground music scene, producing for a diverse array of artists including Big Baby, Warhol, Kevin Cosby, David Shotty, Cold Hart, Lil Tracy, and Tay Kay. One of his standout achievements was producing "Saranpak," a track by Tay Kay that became his most notable production. With his distinctive beats permeating the underground music landscape, Hella Sketchy's influence extended beyond individual collaborations, contributing to the evolution of sound trends within the rap genre. Remarkably, his entrepreneurial spirit led to substantial financial success, with reported earnings exceeding forty thousand dollars from selling beats online.

Following his move to Los Angeles, Hella Sketchy redirected his efforts towards establishing himself as a solo artist, a pivotal shift in his burgeoning career. Having delved into rapping from the age of 15, he had already amassed a considerable collection of tracks, many of which had garnered substantial streaming numbers. Tracks such as "Flip Phone Shordi," "Spent a Check," "Exes Mad," "Stupid," "Rack on Me," and "A Heart Emojis" showcased his adaptability and resonated widely with audiences.

Among these tracks, "Spent a check" stood out as Hella Sketchy's breakout hit, characterized by its lively and cheerful melody, underscored by his distinct production style featuring upbeat piano arrangements. Cultivating a devoted fanbase, Hella Sketchy affectionately referred to his supporters as "Cupid Soldiers," symbolizing the solidarity within his community. Further reinforcing his unique identity was his adoption of a face tat inspired by the emblem from the anime "Angel Beats," adding a distinct visual dimension to his persona.

On March 22nd, a seminal moment in his career unfolded with the release of his eponymous debut album, "Hella Sketchy." Boasting a collection of 12 tracks, the album showcased Hella Sketchy's artistic evolution, featuring notable collaborations with artists such as Rico Nasty, Diablo, Warhol, and Moneymar. This milestone heralded a significant progression in Hella Sketchy's trajectory as he cemented his presence as both a producer and solo artist within the music landscape.

Amidst Jacob's growing musical career, his struggles with depression and substance abuse manifested in a distressing spiral. Following the spring release of his debut album, a series of foreboding tweets punctuated his once-bright digital presence with somber undertones. On April 28, he posted: "I'm trying my best to stay positive." The following day, he lamented: "I always let everyone down." By April 30, his message took a more alarming turn: "Please don't care about me. I don't want to hurt you when I die."[1]

Reflecting this internal turmoil, Jacob's music underwent a profound transformation, mirroring his shifting emotional landscape. Tracks like "Misunderstood" delved into themes of isolation and substance abuse, with poignant lyrics such as "no one knows the real me" and "popping pills like candy." Departing from his previous "happy trap" style, his sound assumed a darker tone, characterized by an ambiance as "super depressive" and "borderline suicidal." The album's concluding track, "What Happened," featured lines like "Used to make fun of my drug use. You ain't never had a struggle with the abuse."[2]

Tragically, Jacob's battle with substance abuse culminated in a devastating outcome. On June 13th, he was discovered unresponsive, having overdosed on drugs. Though revived and rushed to the emergency room, he remained in a coma for 14 days. His father, Mr. Thureson, attributed Jacob's untimely demise to the pervasive impact of the opioid epidemic. In a heartfelt statement, he emphasized the urgent need for open dialogue surrounding issues such as drugs, depression, mental illness, and social media, advocating for a compassionate discourse devoid of judgment and stigma. Mr. Thureson concluded with a poignant sentiment, affirming that Jacob's life, despite its tragic end, would catalyze meaningful conversations and societal change.

Discography

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EP/Album/Single Title Tracks Genre Year Release
Drip Drip - CITYOFANGELO, Hella Sketchy Hip-hop and Rap 2023
Just Plain Sketchy 01: Courteous

02: Hella Sketchy

03: Booted Up

04: Speedball

05: No Feeling

06: Push People Away

Hip-hop and Rap 2022
Cupid Soldiers 01: Radio

02: No Chic Fil A

03: Afraid

04: Demon with a Halo

05: Losing Myself

06: Never Sober

07: Skyline

08: Ghost

09: Disco

10: Popstar Lifestyle

Hip-hop and Rap 2021
High Grade High Grade - KDC, Forty38, Hella Sketchy Hip-hop and Rap 2019
No Talk No Talk - James Colt, Hella Sketchy Hip-hop and Rap 2019
Hella Sketchy 01: Heart Emojis

02: Two Cups

03: Shot Caller - Rico Nasty, Hella Sketchy

04: Spent A Check

05: Kick The Cup

06: Losing Myself

07: Misunderstood

08: No Vacation - Diablo, Warhol SS, Hella Sketchy

09: Grade A - MoneyMarr, Hella Sketchy

10: Love My Drip

11: Sketchy 180

12: What Happened

Hip-hop and Rap 2019
Whoa! Whoa! - Lil Rae, Hella Sketchy 2018
Lexus - Remix Lexus - Remix 2018
Rack On Me Rack On Me - Weiland, Hella Sketchy 2018
Saturday Saturday 2018
Stupid Stupid 2018
Rare Gem Rare Gem 2018
Tetris Tetris 2017
Llama Llama 2017
Distance Distance 2017
Press Decline Press Decline 2017
Exes Mad Exes Mad 2017
Spent A Check Spent A Check 2017
Lexus Lexus 2016