ssgkobe – “HORCRUX” review

Lafayette, Louisiana rapper ssgkobe releasing his 2nd mixtape ahead of the upcoming full-length debut U4. Emerging out of the SoundCloud scene just a few years back, it wasn’t until earlier last spring when he was featured on a bonus track off of BROCKHAMPTON’s ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINEwhere I was introduced to him. His major label debut albeit 12th EP overall KO. that came out a couple months later wasn’t the best place to start diving into his discography at all, but I was genuinely intrigued by Night Before once I started listening to his earlier work. RELAPSED showed some improvements as did the prequel to U4, so I was interested in hearing the direction HORCRUX was going to take.

After the heavenly “INTRODUCTION”, the first song “KEEPIN’ IT REAL” begins the tape by cooking up a lo-fi trap instrumental flexing that his crew stay giving no fucks whereas “FUKITWATCH” gives off more of a psychedelic approach telling all broke motherfuckers to get their own businesses. “WHAT CAN I SAY” asking for some more lean being going off 3 styrofoam cups of it over an airy beat with hi-hats just before the cloudy “COWARD” talks about those sneak-dissing frontin’ in regards to that life.

“ONLY TIME” hooks up these bare piano chords so ssgkobe addressing someone who doesn’t have to lie to him & try to keep fuckin’ with him while “THROUGH MY MIND” featuring Kaash Paige cavernously talks about the evil thoughts that often pop in both of their heads. “ELLA” actually goes for a rock vibe kinda looking to jump right in & possibly see the Eiffel Tower leading into the warm, melodic “URTHEONE” dedicated to that special woman in his life.

Moving forward with the 2nd half of the tape, “WHEN I TURN” brings in the rage beats boasting that he’s cutting up a check while “C” continues to expand the hypertrap influences breaking down the lifestyle that he’s living catching bodies & dealing with bitches who think they be running game. “1227” talks about having shit to prove over a Godzilla-like instrumental while the cloudy, bombastic “13 GATES” dissing those who think he can’t do what they can do.

“FRIGHT” begins the final moments of HORCRUX by continuing to induce the rage looking to pull up on his opposition in order to leave them all intimidated & “WEHADMET” closes up shop with 1 final psychedelically, melodic joint running at nearly 2 & a half minutes talking about making the relationship with his current partner work.

Admittedly, Willows was an underwhelming note to leave off on last summer & HORCRUX happens to be a good step on the right direction for ssgkobe since it’s a better way for him to hold off his audience until he decides it’s time for the debut album. The elements of rage, pop rap & trap from some of his latest material in recent years make their way back over here flowing solidly as I hope U4 will help him come fully into his own.

Score: 3.5/5

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ssgkobe – “RELAPSED” review

This is the 15th EP from Louisiana rapper ssgkobe. Emerging out of the SoundCloud scene just a few years back, it wasn’t until earlier last spring when he was featured on a bonus track off of BROCKHAMPTON’s final album to date ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE where I was introduced to him. His major label debut albeit 12th EP overall KO. that came out a couple months later wasn’t the best place to start diving into his discography at all, but I was genuinely intrigued by Night Before once I started listening to his earlier work. That being said: I went into RELAPSED hoping that ssgkobe would redeem himself.

“Hershey” is a rage-induced opener wanting to know what his purpose is whereas “Getcha” takes a symphonic trap route to start boasting. “Oh No!” goes into atmospheric territory reaching the epiphany that his bitch was a thot while the song “9” talking about walking around strapped over a misty trap instrumental. The penultimate track “Every Second” has a cavernous aesthetic to it brushing off those who’re bitter at his success & “Okay, What R U Saying?” ends the EP with kobe over a woozy instrumental calling out someone for capping.

Compared to KO., there’s no denying that Relapsed is like night & day in terms of quality. The production has improved sounding a bit more varied in comparison to the predecessor trying to reach an audience that doesn’t exist & I respect that ssgkobe’s wearing his heart on his sleeve a lot more this time around, but I’d love for U4EYA to be a melting pot of the new sounds he’s dabbling with now & his rage/plugg roots.

Score: 3.5/5

ssgkobe – “KO.” review

ssgkobe is a 17 year old rapper from Louisiana emerging out of the SoundCloud scene just a few years back, but I was unfamiliar with him until earlier this month when he was featured on a bonus track off of BROCKHAMPTON’s new album ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE. And with his profile continuously growing, of course he’s gonna ride the wave by dropping a 15 minute EP.

“listen before you indulge” is a bare acoustic opener with underwritten lyrics about being torn spiritually whereas the next “Capsules” sees right past the bluff on top of a plucky trap beat. “Condo” is an annoying cloud rap diatribe about how kobe & BoofPaxkMooky got money walking while the track “Angels” portrays his adventures in the sunshine state.

Then we have the rushjob of a breakup cut that is “why’re you scared?”, but then the WondaGurl-produced “Again” is basically the other side of the coin as he talks about moving on to a new chick. The song “Calabasas” featuring $not is a pretty drab way to end the EP, but I do enjoy the Crimson Chin reference in the hook quite a bit.

Yeah I ain’t got much else to say other that KO. is just another addition to the ever-growing pile of run of the mill trap projects. Despite being far from the worst thing I’ve listened to all year & maybe he’ll refine his style on the next project, it’s nothing that I haven’t heard already.

Score: 2/5