$uicide Boy$: Eternal Grey Review

By Kendra Sells
Hip-Hop Journalist

 I’ll admit it-sometimes I’m late to the game when it comes to these underground artists, (there are way too many to count, give me a break!) but I came across the $uicide Boy$ a couple of weeks ago with their song , South Side $uicide featuring Pouya. The New Orleans duo intrigued me with hypnotic vocal splits that drone together to reveal a haunting, tribal sound. I bobbed my head along to  dark devilish trap which would make for some great Halloween party music.

Besides the song sounding trippy and spooky, I began to raise serious questions about these guys. $uicide is more than just a name, but it’s a prominent topic discussed in their nearly 30 eps, which you can find on Bandcamp and Soundcloud. Hell rap, cloud rap, horrorcore, whatever you want to call it- the boys spit dark lines about death, violence, drugs, plans for suicide and the devil. The music gets real heavy and gruesome. The $uicide Boy$ are not the only rap artists within their twisted realm. They could be compared to acts like Three 6 Mafia or Insane Clown Posse.Their bars are not the strongest, but they pretty much have everything else going for them. Artistically, I dig them. The sound is unique and interesting, rap flow and cadence is noteworthy and they push boundaries. Their vulnerability and topic matter is a solid way of soothing some pain, I just can’t help but worry.

$uicide boy Cut Throat talks about his opiate addiction in an interview with No Jumper. He admitted to being heavily influenced to do drugs once he saw Lil Wayne drinking lean (codeine syrup.) They are willing to tell the tales of their demons, which gives those who relate something to connect with, but I fear that their heavy following of impressionable 15 year-olds could have a rocky road ahead of them. There’s no way to blame Lil Wayne for Cut Throat’s drug addiction, after all, it was his choice to begin, but the guys have experienced first-hand proof of the impact that musical influences can have on the youth- yet they continue to produce what they produce. They do although, advise their younger audience to stay away from drugs, or to seek professional help to battle their demons.

October is national Suicide Awareness month and in light of Kid Cudi’s recent announcement to seek help for his depression and suicidal thoughts, I hope that others within the hip-hop community are influenced to do the same. Cudi has been noted for his positive influence on his fans, whereas the $uicide Boy$ have made a name out of their depressive state. I only hope they don’t get too caught up in the gimmick that they never find freedom.