Lithe

Perfectly named when considering just how deftly he glides across trap, R&B and other terrain, Lithe is the moniker of Melbourne rapper/producer Josiah Ramel. His slow-burn creations are big on vibes and atmosphere, bearing ghostly echoes of Burial alongside moody trap signifiers. Ramel has been refining his particular brand of introspection since his 2018 debut single “Pictures on My Wall”, often choosing quiet rumination over outspoken swagger. Maintaining remarkable consistency even while keeping up a prolific pace of release, Ramel has mined a dark sense of openness while dabbling in collaborations with other rappers and singers, edging ever closer to the mainstream after years spent flourishing in the underground. That crossover momentum was finally realised with his 2024 single “Fall Back”, a wavering trap ballad that charted in more than half a dozen countries and earned Ramel his first ARIA nominations. Subsequent releases have further explored Lithe’s distinctly interior take on trap, warping his voice with effects as he invests in poignant jags of confession.