SOB X RBE

In the opening months of 2016 the rap collective SOB X RBE assembled in Vallejo, California, under the direction of the teenage rappers Yhung T.O, DaBoii, Slimmy B, and Lul G. The acronym expands to “Strictly Only Brothers, Real Boi Entertainment.” While barely into their teens, Yhung T.O and DaBoii began crafting tracks with whatever limited gear they could find, frequently capturing lo-fi ideas straight onto their phones. The quartet solidified once the pair joined forces with neighborhood companions Slimmy B and Lul G, the four adolescents devoting every free hour to recording and sharpening both their personal and collective approaches. After uploading several songs, the group immediately drew notice from listeners and fellow artists across the region.

Bay Area rapper Sage the Gemini took particular notice and stepped into a mentoring role, bringing the teenagers on tour and linking them with more established names. Further releases followed, among them “Different,” “On My Mama,” “No Love,” and “Anti,” which quickly became underground favorites and live staples. Their swift ascent prompted frequent comparisons to early N.W.A, observers pointing to the raw force of their delivery, their youth, and the unmistakable chemistry that made the whole exceed its individual parts. Late that year the self-titled mixtape appeared, and throughout 2017 most members issued solo projects alongside an array of collaborations. A high-profile placement arrived when “Paramedic!” landed on the chart-topping Black Panther soundtrack. Gangin followed, debuting at number 74 on the Billboard 200 in early 2018; Gangin II surfaced that autumn, while the standalone single “Rich” emerged the next year.