While early drill proteges such as Chief Keef and King Louie are often accredited to the newfound popularity of the sub-genre, G Herbo was also doing his thing in the burgeoning wave of drill throughout Chicago. Through the natural osmosis of being around drill as a Chicago teen, his early projects in the forms of Welcome to Fazoland and Ballin’ Like I’m Kobe heavily implemented the sound. Similar to other MCs out of Chicago’s hip-hop scene, his sound was an enraged form of therapy to process the chaos around him. A teenage high-school dropout, he quickly became a local hero through pure skill that earned praise from Drake and Nicki Minaj. As producer DJ L put it with Complex, “Herb was rapping like a f**king 30-year-old at 15.”
However, G Herbo was never a drill purist at heart. Even his earliest works hinted at someone who wanted to rap over dustier, trap-infused beats. There was an early desire to distinguish himself from what his contemporaries were doing. “I didn’t want to be labeled a drill artist early on, to be honest,” Herbo explains to DJBooth. Rather than create tunnel vision drill music, he was implementing childhood influences from the likes of Lil Wayne. His pessimistic attitude on the drill label is understandable, considering that his music contains influences from many walks of hip-hop. With that all said, the beloved progenitor of drill music has grown to appreciate his influence on drill with time.
Now 27, G-Herbo’s impact on hip-hop isn’t best described in the context of metrics. However, the numbers are certainly there. His hallmark hit comes in the form of “PTSD”, which features Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, and Chance the Rapper. In addition, he recently released a track as a part of the Fast and Furious: The Fast Saga. However, G Herbo’s fans tend to find solace in his sound. His listeners share his pain regarding childhood trauma following them around throughout adulthood. He’s steadfast about his flaws, admitting that he’s struggled to detach from the street life that he grew up in.
G Herbo began to take his music career seriously around the age of 21, with debut studio album Humble Beast garnering him concrete attention throughout the music industry. Confessional bangers such as “Red Snow” and “Malcom” stood the under-spoken MC out from the field. In addition, he had his first son, Yosohn, at the age of 22. Expanding on this with Complex, he stated, “I’ve got an actual life that’s depending on me before he even knows what the world has to offer. He’s depending on me for everything.” By spending more time in the studio rather than in the streets, G Herbo’s career quickly began to reach US radio hip-hop stations. However, he did so by staying true to his message. He took the stairs to get to the top.
Herbo’s Aged As A Local Ambassador For Mental Health
(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Now approaching the decade mark into his career, G Herbo has remained as consistent as ever since his mainstream success. Back in April, he released Strictly 4 My Fans 2. Driven by an endless desire to financially take care of his family and friends, he’s painstakingly aware that he has no time to rest. However, he doesn’t review this reality with a sense of dread. The Chicago-raised G Herbo is just happy to have made it past the age of 25. Everything he does is with a sense of gratefulness, a perspective that comes from seeing those around him have their lives cut short. Back in January 2021, Lil Greg, a close friend of G Herbo’s who he considered a brother, was killed in a shooting in South Chicago.
Additionally known for live skill as a freestyler, G Herbo’s records consistently deliver a new side to him. 2019’s Swervo ditched the raw storytelling in favor of a groovy collection of party anthems. G-Herbo expressed an easygoing part of himself that isn’t necessarily humble or understated. However, 2020’s PTSD took a stark left turn from this persona, seeing G Herbo recruit a variety of Chicago MCs on vulnerable cuts such as “Gangstas Cry.” His 2021 project 25 highlights the good and bad of his personality, such as his run-ins with the law surrounding allegations of gun possession or domestic violence. At present, he’s in the midst of a federal fraud case. On the other hand, he also bought a Chicago elementary school, revamping its infrastructure to better fit the needs of aspiring creatives. He’s also been a constant ambassador for mental health in the area he grew up in.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Pop Smoke‘s rise to the top of New York’s burgeoning drill scene captured the attention of the rap world. Riding the wave of “Welcome To The Party” and “Dior”,” he entered the 2020s as one of the most exciting and unique MCs. Quickly becoming one of the marquee names in rap, his sound took over the nation. Later influencing the likes of Kanye West to drive into drill music, he took the genre and put his own energetic spin on it.
Blending drill and trap into an electric sound, he released his debut mixtape ‘Meet the Woo’ in 2019, He would soon follow up the breakout record with it’s sequel, ‘Meet the Woo 2.’ With so much ahead for Pop Smoke (whose full name is Bashar Jackson), he was tragically shot to death in his Hollywood Hills home on February 19, 2020. His first full-length, studio album would release months after his passing. ‘Shoot for the Moon, Aims for the Stars‘ debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales reaching over 250,000. Executive-produced by 50 Cent, the albums’ booming success had obvious dark undertones in the fact that it would be the last record with full input from Pop Smoke.
There’s no denying that Pop Smoke is one of the biggest what if stories in rap. While he only released music for a few years, he was able to curate a heavy catalogue of bangers within a brief span of time. We can only wonder at where he would’ve taken the sound over the coming decade. Today, we dive into the ten best songs from his vault.
Dior
It’s impossible to mention Pop Smoke’s career without brining up “Dior.” The sixth track on his debut mixtape, ‘Meet the Woo.’ Featuring a nasty violin sample and menacing 808, this song could be heard on stereo speakers in clubs across the country in 2019. Of course, it wasn’t only the production that made this track so unique. Pop Smoke’s ability to switch from rapid verses to catchy adlibs on a dime made the synergy on this track immediately ear-catching.
With bars such as “Christian Dior, Dior, I’m all up in the stores,’ Pop Smoke immediately embraced his new lifestyle. Of course, his constant flexing is doesn’t come off as egotistical considering his rough upbringing. Expelled from school in eighth grade, many counted him out before he even got to high-school.
Welcome to the Party
The second most streamed song off of breakout mixtape ‘Meet the Woo,’ ‘Welcome to the Party’ is another drill-based banger. Pop Smoke was iconic for his recognizable hooks and memorizable lyrics. His uniquely deep and menacing voice cut through just about anything. This track is a hallmark example of that, as he flexes his lavish lifestyle. Mumbling “I the boy up then I go skate in a rari,” it’s impossible not to jump around to this absolute banger.
While “Dior” ended being his most-streamed track, “Welcome to the Party” is the track that really put the New York drill scene on the map. Pop Smoke addressed the hook (“I’m of the Molly, the Xan, the Lean that’s why I’m movin’ retarded”) in a Genius interview, stating “when you come from my neighborhood, people take drugs to ease their pain.” For all of the critics of his drug and gun-related lyricism, he’s not glorifying that lifestyle. The intention is to shine light on the environment he grew up in.
The seventh and final track off of the ‘JACKBOYS‘ mixtape, ‘Gatti’ was met with mixed reviews after the tape initially hit streaming services. At the time, Pop Smoke’s New York drill was still relatively fresh in the mainstream scene. His unique voice and drill production threw the more traditional trap audience of ‘JACKBOYS’ for a loop. The collaboration opened up a number of doors for Pop Smoke to work with other big-name artists, such as Travis Scott and Don Toliver.
‘Gatti’ was another prime example of how unique Pop Smoke’s voice was. Rapping alongside some of the shortlisted names in the industry (Don Toliver, Travis Scott, etc), his presence stood out amongst the crowd. Featuring an intricate drill beat, his relentless flow fits perfectly with the production. Travis Scott would later honor Pop Smoke’s memory with a new Dior Collection back in 2021.
44 Bulldog
Much of ‘Shoot for the Moon, Aim for the Stars’ implemented more of a melodic sound rather than the cohesive ragers of his ‘Meet the Woo’ mixtapes. Being his first studio release, he often takes a backseat for the likes of Quavo or Lil Baby. However, “44 Bulldog” was a welcome exception to this. Pop Smoke takes the forefront from start to finish. “44 Bulldog” references a British pocket revolver; Pop Smoke’s crime-ridden upbringing meant he was no stranger to gun violence. Growing up in a violent neighborhood, it’s only natural that much of his songwriting references this.
Menacing piano chords introduce us to a track that immediately draws the listener in. The overtly loud ad-libs add a unique oddity the song, sometimes overtaking his verses. The devilish, slick lyricism from Pop Smoke highlights where he’s at his very best as a rapper. Lines such as “I kicked her out ’cause I’m allergic to the cuffin’” or “I ain’t talk with the talk or the chit-chat” aid to the powerful aura that Pop Smoke created around himself.
Gangstas
It’s hard to miss the 50 Cent influence on “Gangstas.” You can tell that the Brooklyn-born rapper is a student of the bling-era sound, he does the sound so much justice. Twinkling piano keys lead into a bass-boosted banger. Coming right after “44 Bulldog,” the track blends the early 2000s bling-era with Pop Smoke’s modern drill sound. In fact, 50 Cent’s imprint is heavy on ‘Shoot for the Moon, Aim for the Stars.’ Largely contributing as an executive producer, he also delivered a feature on ‘The Woo,’ which also features Lil Baby.
Pop Smoke isn’t messing around lyrically on this track, either. Mirroring 50 Cent’s early 2000s lyricism, he portrays himself as a sort of ring leader of the New York rap scene with bars such as “I’m the f**kin voice of the streets, it’s like Jesus walkin’” or “six by six, big Benz on my wrist.” While much of the album dives into the aforementioned melodic sound, he’s at his best when he dives head-first into nasty drill bangers.
Hawk Em
The third track from his debut mixtape, “Hawk Em” is undoubtedly one of the more overlooked tracks in his discography. Blending an echoing snare, distant piano chords, and a booming bass, it’s one of Pop Smoke’s more straightforward drill tracks. Eerily familiar to “Off the Grid” off of ‘Donda‘, Pop Smoke goes after a slightly faster flow than normal. The track sounds simple in 2023, as the sub-genre exploded since this mixtape’s release. However, the blend of Chicago and UK drill still sounded ground-breaking back in 2019.
“Hawk Em” is a prime example of why a track doesn’t need to be overly complex to be enjoyable. The track gets straight to the point, as Pop Smoke can be pictured strolling through New York City as a “gentlemen and a gangster.” Even at this early stage of his career, his unique and fleeting rhymes were making waves in the East Coast drill scene.
Got It On Me
One of the biggest tracks off of ‘Shoot for the Moon, Aim for the Stars,’ killer flows and vocal lines populate “Got It On Me.” A direct tribute to 50 Cent’s classic hook off of “Many Men,” Pop Smoke interpolates 50 Cent’s iconic hook. He more than does the original hook justice, adding a unique spin to it with his growling voice. The track features relentless flows and killer lyrics. There’s a definite DMX influence to the uncompromising energy of the track. A sampled choir makes it’s way into the production, adding a triumphant yet eerie feel to the track.
“Got It On Me” had actually been sitting in Pop Smoke’s vault for 2+ years before it’s release. 50 Cent was shocked when he heard Pop Smoke’s version of the recording, which prompted the two meeting for future collaborations. The sole producer of the track, “Young Devante,” said that the beat was initially created with Meek Mill‘s style in mind. Pop Smoke pleads for mercy and taunts his enemies simultaneously, making the hit track one of his more lyrically complex songs.
Invincible
The first track off of ‘Meet the Woo 2‘, “Invincible” blends a violin sample with a nasty drill beat. The track is fierce, bold, and unapologetic in every way imaginable. In many ways, it sonically parallels “Dior.” As the title implies, Pop Smoke depicts feeling “Invincible.” The track is a 2-minute long ode to his wild lifestyle. He is essentially idealizing money, women, and power. Depicting himself walking through Brooklyn, his sudden fame has given him an undeniable sense of being unstoppable.
All of this is undercut by his reference to “percs” at the beginning of the song. This implies that his feeling of invincibility primarily exists due to him being on drugs. In fact, his not-to-subtle references to drugs throughout his discography are often expressed as a piece of darkness within his daily life. “Invincible” is best played on a set of loud speakers at a house party, and is yet another menacing banger in Pop Smoke’s discography.
What You Know Bout Love
Raised in a 90s era when the genre was still at it’s peak, it’s not a surprise that he tried his hand at the R&B sound. The softer production mirrors the sincere lyricism. He speaks about his infatuation with his lover, and eagerness to please her. Previously criticized as being slightly one dimensional in his flow patterns, “What You Know Bout Love” silenced the critics by highlighting his vocal talents, as he delivers a heartfelt chorus amidst twinkling synths.
Pop Smoke’s second top-10 single, the track peaked at number nine of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Well-known for rapping about violence or power, the track represents an interesting diversion from his traditional songwriting. Perfect for a backyard BBQ or a summer drive with the windows down, the track really solidified his distinctiveness of a rapper.
War
Pop Smoke’s collaborations were admittedly hit or miss during his career. However, Smoke and Lil Tjay coming together always meant fireworks. The two rap about intimidating people in the New York streets. Blending Smoke croaky rhymes with Lil Tjay’s humming, the two ‘s directly contrasting voices make for a frenzied track.
Initially releasing in 2019, the track would later release as a bonus cut off of ‘Meet the Woo 2.’ It’s worth noting how eye-catching and downright fun the music video for this track is. The video cuts from Smoke and Tjay waltzing around a grandeur mansion, to riding motorcycles in the New York streets.
It may be one of the leading subgenres in Hip Hop, but Remy Ma has quite a bit to say about Drill. As a veteran, Remy has witnessed the evolution of Rap as it has shifted sonically and culturally as time moves forward. Remy recently sat down with The Jason Lee Show, and while there, she dropped off a few thoughts about Drill’s influence. Despite the genre’s popularity, Remy suggested she’s not a huge fan.
“Okay, I don’t have an exact person, but I do feel like a lot of the Drill music is like, overrated,” said Remy. “I don’t know what they’re saying.” She then mimicked what she believed Drill tracks sounded like. “That’s all everybody listen to.” Lee chimed in to say he wasn’t even sure which artists were Drill.”
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Papoose and Remy Ma attend BET Hip Hop Awards 2022 on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Filmmagic)
Remy added that it isn’t necessarily an artist but a sound. “I feel like that whole genre is super overrated. Literally out here killing—these artists, they’re 14, 15, 16. Killing each other. I feel like, it’s the way people are acting like it’s this whole big thing, but I don’t really think any of them is getting the money that they should. Off of their YouTube views and off of their music. And it’s overrated to me. Out here dying over it.”
In February 2022, New York City’s mayor Eric Adams declared a war of sorts on Drill. “Violent people who are using drill rapping to post who they killed, and then antagonize the people who they are going to kill is what the problem is,” he told reporters. Adams faced pushback from Rap artists and supporters. Later, he met with several artists to have a conversation that went beyond criticism of music.
Additionally, within the last few years, we’ve seen outlets speak out. Radio personalities, specifically, have declared they won’t play Drill music where artists are blatantly sparking beefs and dissing people who have been murdered. This hasn’t stopped rappers from continuing to pen incideniary lyrics.
Jordan Coleman, son of New York Mayor Eric Adams, will be releasing a new single, later this month under his rap moniker, “Jayoo.” Coleman discussed his music career and the song, titled “Go Get It,” with the New York Post.
“I want to be a rapper, I want to be an international filmmaker, I want to be an artist. I’m trying to figure a way to merge them together in a creative and smart way,’ he told the outlet.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 28: Mayor Eric Adams speaks at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Restoration Plaza on July 28, 2022 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn borough in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Coleman also addressed his parents’ views on rap music. Adams has previously criticized the drill scene in New York, calling for a ban on the genre from social media. At the time, Coleman publicly disagreed with his father.
“Of course, parents look at rap a little differently than how a kid would look at it,” Coleman admitted. “Music and hip-hop has always been a part of what I wanted to do. But when I went off to school, my parents were like, ‘We’re not sending you to school to be a rapper, we’re sending you to school to be a filmmaker.’”
Eric Adams spoke about his son’s aspirations in a statement to The Post.
“When he was a child, my job as his father was to give him instructions, educate him, and prepare him for the future,” Adams said. “He is now a man and being that man means not speaking in my voice but finding his own. Jordan is drawing on the lessons he’s learned and is making the best decisions for himself. I’m extremely proud of the person he’s grown up to be.”
Coleman previously worked under Jay-Z at Roc Nation. He also traveled to Albania for a competition similar to American Idol in November.
Authorities released Chicago rapper Lil Reese from prison according to HipHopDX, where he was held on assault charges. According to online records obtained from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, he was released on Thursday (January 12). Moreover, after a pretrial hearing, the court dropped at least one of the charges against him.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 12: Recording artist Lil Reese backstage at Webster Hall on January 12, 2016, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Furthermore, Reese faced a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault against a family member last May. While original reports just mentioned that charge, prison records show two felonies and an additional misdemeanor. However, the documents don’t specify the nature of these additional charges.
Also, a case against the 30-year-old seems to have finalized with a “GPE sentence.” This suggests that authorities ordered him to make a payment through Government Payment EXP, a private company that collects fines and court fees through various mediums. Still, whether they are linked to his arrest or part of his terms of release is unknown at the moment.
While many are already celebrating, the 300 S**t MC hasn’t posted anything on his socials as of writing this article. Last we heard from him, he welcomed his baby daughter in May just days before his arrest. However, funnily enough, his daughter was (technically) one of the most recent people to update fans.
Last week on January 6th, Reese’s girlfriend Kimani posted screenshots to their daughter’s Instagram page. They featured the rapper talking with his daughter on FaceTime. It’s actually been somewhat of a big 12 months for Reese, considering the ten year anniversary of his Chief Keef collab “Don’t Like.”
Meanwhile, some of Lil Reese’s last exploits were calling out Lil Durk doppelgänger Perkio for meeting up with 6ix9ine. Before this recent arrest, authorities held Lil Reese on domestic violence charges in Chicago in 2021. While police arrested him immediately, he returned after posting $10,000 bond.
What do you think of Lil Reese’s release from prison? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH for the latest updates from Lil Reese.
