Instagram/@lilpeep
The 18-year-old Gustav Åhr, widely referred to as Lil Peep, set up the anthem for a generation in his bedroom in Long Beach. “Star Shopping” has been awarded RIAA 5x platinum certification, asserting its place in track history. In that room, at almost the most naked-versus-equipment-I-could-think-of level-a $30 Guitar Center mic, $200 affordable earbuds, GarageBand-thus, uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015-the song went viral within 24 hours. It was a defining breakthrough moment for Peep, world recognition at last of his raw, heartfelt style of track. He had said once, “The only thing keeping the peace while I’m falling to pieces.”
Advertisement
With “Star Shopping” emblazoned vertically across a celestial periwinkle background alongside an image reading “RIAA 5 Time Platinum,” the celebratory anniversary post gave a nod towards the forefront of the track and the fans who leaned on it during moments of heartbreak and loneliness and awakening.
Comments began flooding in, with many long-time listeners giving personal accounts about how the track saved their life. “This one helped me through so much when I needed it the most. Long live Peep,” one commented; another described blasting it in the car late at night with friends. The lyrics, “Wait right here, I’ll be back in the morning,” were the starting point for many more comments where fans began to recite the whole song from start to finish. That is a testament to the song’s power and ability to remain relevant.
However, some comments chose a darker humor route-the tone Peep frequently used-dubbed a terrible joke: “Rip lil peepee, one of the artists ever in my opinion.” Others paid respect in a more solemn manner, like a fan sporting an “Exit Life” tattoo. International voices chimed in—with comments reading in Portuguese and Spanish, respectively, “Você merece isso, Peep, descanse em paz” and “¿Cuándo regresarás por la mañana?”.
More than commercial success, this song offers an individual lifeline. One fan stated how he downloaded an MP3 copy just to make sure he’d never lose it, saying, “It’s so fucking special, I just can’t even say why.” Another shared how ever since Peep’s passing in 2017, he has had it on heavy rotation in his daily life. Essentially, from the very beginnings-sung to a beat on the phone, to the execution of mixing on the MacBook-the track is a living example of how genuine emotion expressed without any pretense can outlast any trend.
Advertisement
In an anniversary post from Peep’s family, they reveal how much he really appreciated being able to relate to others: “He would be so proud of how many lives it continues to touch.” A decade later, “Star Shopping” is far beyond a banger; it is a time capsule for an entire generation of fans that grew up with it. As is evident by this RIAA certification, the flame is still burning bright.
About the Author
