645AR
645AR | |
|---|---|
| Born | Austin Alan Rochez September 2, 1997 South Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Popularizing the hip hop subgenre "squeak rap" |
Austin Alan Rochez (born September 2, 1997), professionally recognized as 645AR, is an American rapper operating out of Atlanta, Georgia. Distinguished by his unusually high-pitched vocal delivery—a defining characteristic of the hip hop subgenre known as "squeak rap"—he has collaborated on singles with artists such as Danny Brown, Tyga, FKA Twigs, Tony Shhnow, BabyTron, Tommy Cash, Valee, and Dorian Electra. 645AR first attracted widespread attention following the viral success of his 2018 track "Crack," which was succeeded by the 2019 hit "4 da Trap." Subsequently, he secured a contract with Columbia Records.
Life and career
Born on September 2, 1997, in New York City's South Bronx, Rochez relocated southward at age 11, initially residing in Florida before establishing himself in Smyrna, Georgia, a suburb near Atlanta. There, he developed connections with local hip hop artists including Lil Yachty through mutual acquaintances JWitDaBeam and Slimesito. In 2016, Rochez returned to New York to attend Hostos Community College, where he also played basketball. However, the burgeoning popularity of trap prompted him to move back to Atlanta to focus on his musical ambitions.
His stage name is derived from the number of his Bronx apartment building (645) combined with his initials (AR). After producing several tracks, Rochez became known for his distinctive squeaky vocal style on the 2018 single "Crack." The song gained momentum after fellow New York artist Lil Tecca shared its video, drawing industry attention. This exposure led to the release of his self-titled debut album in 2019 and the viral single "4 da Trap," which spread so rapidly that it resulted in Twitter temporarily suspending his account. This surge in popularity ultimately earned him a deal with Columbia Records.
Style and reception
645AR is widely credited with popularizing the hip hop subgenre referred to as "squeak rap." Drawing inspiration from experimental vocal techniques employed by rappers such as Future, Playboi Carti, and Young Thug, his work has been likened to these artists as well as the hyperpop duo 100 gecs. Squeak rap features high-pitched vocalizations characterized by an "otherworldly curvature of the voice," where the vocal distortions obscure clear enunciation, rendering lyrics "virtually indecipherable." Alternative names for this style include "baby voice rap," "chipmunk rap," and "fetus vocal rap." Through his music, 645AR seeks to create an immersive experience that transports listeners beyond ordinary perception. Although many assume digital effects produce his signature squeak, he maintains that it is a natural vocal ability and has performed it live. His unaltered speaking voice is a baritone. Dr. Calbert Graham from the University of Cambridge described 645AR’s vocal technique as akin to a human synthesizer, praising his innovative falsetto approach as groundbreaking within rap music.
Often regarded as a musical internet meme, squeak rap is embraced by 645AR with humor, exemplified by a comedic video where he jokingly claims his voice was possessed by Mickey Mouse. Comparisons frequently draw parallels between him and high-pitched fictional characters such as Mickey Mouse, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Elmo,Pikachu, and Isabelle from Animal Crossing, along with animals like mosquitoes, mice, and bedbugs. Despite this playful persona, 645AR approaches his craft earnestly, dedicating considerable effort to composing lyrics that convey intense street narratives.
His musical style has been associated with hyperpop, leading some critics to categorize him within that genre. He has collaborated with hyperpop figures including Dorian Electra, Isomonstrosity, and Umru—the latter appearing on the PC Music label’s compilation album PC Music, Vol. 3.
Several artists known for their falsetto use have been compared stylistically to 645AR, among them Adam Levine, Baby Keem, FKA Twigs, and Fousheé.
Inspirations
During his upbringing in the Bronx, 645AR was influenced by New York hip-hop artists such as 50 Cent and Jay-Z. After relocating to the southern United States, he expanded his musical palette to include Southern rappers like T-Pain and Lil Wayne.
Studio Albums
- 645AR (2019, independently released)
- In Dat Mode (2024)
- Most Hated (2025)
Mixtapes
- 96 Problemz (2017)
- Fix da Rap Game (2018)
- SOS 5 (2018)
- Sink or Swim (2022)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Sink or Swim (2017)
- Stack or Starve (2018)
- S.O.S III (2018)
- S.O.S IV (2018)
- Get Rich or Die Drowning (2018, collaboration with 10kDunkin and JWitDaBeam)
- 2 Train 2 Foreigns (2018)
- Rags 2 Expensive Rags (2019)
- 2 Train 2 Foreigns 2 (2019)
- No Label (2020)
- Most Hated (2021)
- Unorthodox (2022, featuring SenseiATL)
- New Beginnings (2022, with Lil Crank)
- Unstoppable (2022)
- S.O.S Vol. 1 (2024)
- Space AR Star (2024)
- 645AR&B (2024)
Singles
| Year | Track Title | Featured Artists | Release Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Hollywood Road" | Larry League, Reddo, 10kDunkin, Tony Shhnow | Template:Non-album single |
| "Workin" | 10kDunkin, FastATL | 96 Problemz | |
| "NoProblems" | |||
| 2018 | "Out of Boundz" | rowspan="2" Template:Non-album singles | |
| "End of the Day" | Slimesito | ||
| "True 2 Dat" | JWitDaBeam | S.O.S III | |
| "Copy" | 10kDunkin | rowspan="8" Template:Non-album singles | |
| "#FreeTony Freestyle" | 10kDunkin | ||
| "Monster" | Reddo, Tony Shhnow, 10kDunkin, Larry League | ||
| "Day Day Bishop" | |||
| "Itch" | |||
| "Knicks" | Texako | ||
| "Money in There" | Larry Loudpack | ||
| "Zoo" | Tony Shhnow | ||
| "Crack" | Tony Shhnow, Bag Ty | 645AR | |
| 2019 | "SOS da Gang" | Tony Shhnow | rowspan="8" Template:Non-album singles |
| "Militant" | Lil Xelly, 10kDunkin, Bag Ty | ||
| "Dat Guy" | |||
| "Notta Rapper" | JWitDaBeam, 10kDunkin | ||
| "Zion" | |||
| "Salute" | |||
| "Up" | JWitDaBeam, Tony Shhnow | ||
| "Aint Tryna Kick It" | Hate | ||
| "Bible and a K" | 645AR | ||
| "Plan" | Reddo | rowspan="7" Template:Non-album singles | |
| "Beef It Up" | |||
| "Check Off a Voice" | "10kDunkin" | ||
| "Momma Beat Me I Beat Dat Block" | "JWitDaBeam, 10kDunkin, Tony Shhnow" | ||
| "Like Mike" | "NGeeYL" | ||
| "Yoga" | |||
| "Rundown" | "DoobieRockStar, 3AGPilot, JWitDaBeam" | ||
| "4 da Trap" | 'Most Hated' | ||
| "Ready Set Go" | "JWitDaBeam, 10kDunkin" | ||
| "Beat It" | "BabyTron" | ||
| "Flight to LA" | "Bouba Savage" | ||
| "In Love With a Stripper" | |||
| "Juggin Got Me Rich" | "DQTheGawd" | ||
| "Finger Roll" | |||
| "Dash" | |||
| "Made a Way" | |||
| "Itchy Fingers" | |||
| "Sum Bout U" | "FKA Twigs" | ||
| "4 da Trap (Fine Tuned Version)" | |||
| "Ride 4 You" | |||
| "After L Come M" | '2 Train 2 Foreigns 2' | ||
| "Aint No Rule" | '10kDunkin' | ||
| "Chirpin" | |||
| "Count On" | |||
| "Happy" | 'Dorian Electra' | ||
| "Rental" | 'Lil Reek' | ||
| "Check1" | 'Umru, Tommy Cash' | ||
| "On My Back" | |||
| "God Chose Me" | 'Tyga' | ||
| "Never That" | 'MVW, Valee' | ||
| "Check1 (Six Impala remix)" | 'Umru, Tommy Cash' | ||
| "Careful What You Wish For" | 'Isomonstrosity, Danny Brown' | ||
| "MS20" | 'Lapsung' | ||
| "Got 2 Kno" | |||
| "Shot 4 Shot" | 'Yuno Miles' | ||
| "Get Thru" | |||
| "S10T" | 'Xato' | ||
| "Midnight" |
References
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Living people
- 1997 births
- American rappers of the 21st century
- Male American rappers of the 21st century
- Rappers originating from the Bronx
- Rappers based in Atlanta
- Artists signed to Columbia Records
- Individuals from Smyrna, Georgia
- Alumni of Hostos Community College
- Musicians in the hyperpop genre
- 21st-century residents of New York (state)
- 21st-century residents of Georgia (U.S. state)