Robb Bank$: 2: Pillz Review

By Chris Henriques
Rap Journalist

Artist: Robb Bank$
Album: 2: Pillz
Release Date: December 24, 2017
Website: https://soundcloud.com/robbbanks

Robb Bank$ has remained somewhat of enigma throughout his whole career. Getting his start in Broward County, Florida as an affiliate of the Raider Klan collective, Robb Bank$ has since moved on to pave his own way in the rap game. It takes a special breed of artist to meticulously craft such a vibrant world the way Robb Bank$ does. Coming off his last project Cloverfield 2.0 that released back in September, Bank$ took to Instagram late December to tease the release of yet another EP titled 2: Pillz. This EP consists of five tracks sitting at about 20 minutes. With production credits from frequent collaborators Indigochildrick, D Roc and Skinnyxmoose, as well as distribution help from Empire, the Broward native is carefully setting the foundation for his highly anticipated debut album Falconia. In this EP Robb Bank$ taps into his roots, channeling the raw and uncensored energy from his early projects like Calendars and Tha City.

In the first track “No Sleep” we are welcomed with ambient vocal samples backed by heavy 808’s. Bank$ reflects on the current state of hip-hop and the youth’s infatuation with drugs and the vast amount of lies that are fed in the music industry. Track two, “2ensational/Pink Toe”, is classic Robb Bank$. This track is a shameless flex. Comparing his come-up to the rest of his peers, Bank$ flaunts the success that he’s gained over the years. Track three, “SSet It Up” is quite possibly the highlight of this whole project. The bouncy instrumental and punchy bass isn’t too overwhelming, yet still stands out from the rest of the beats on the EP. Robb Bank$ stays true to himself, channeling a raw and underground energy on this track. He reminds us why he is arguably one of the hardest rappers out right now. Track four, “Playz” is the only one on the tape that seems out of place. This track is solid, however it seems like a recycled song from an older project. This song is reminiscent of Robb Bank$’s late 2016 project C2 and didn’t really fit in with the other four songs on this tape. The fifth and final track, “Die4Me” feels like a bad trip. Bank$ speaks on past relationships and how his underlying depression is feeding into his addiction. However, he feels that he must keep up with his image even though it may be his biggest threat.

All in all 2: Pillz is a diary or a eulogy depending on the perspective. Robb Bank$ gets more personal with his listeners than he ever has before, he lets us know who he is as a person rather than just a rapper.