New Orleans duo, $crim (born Scott Anthony Arceneaux Jr.) and Ruby da Cherry (born Aristos Norman Petrou) pioneered a genre of music that eludes definition. Mixing elements of trap, hip-hop/rap, emo, alternative, (and some even claim horrorcore, despite the boys having a song titled “Stop Calling Us Horrorcore”), the $uicideboy$ have created a name for themselves unlike any other. The two cousins grew up in New Orleans together, and they often pay homage to their hometown in their music. For many years, the $uicideboy$ were what would be considered underground, a music category that is hard to define and is more of a “you know it when you see it” type of term. Recently — with the release of Stop Staring at the Shadows and the popular track “…And to Those I Love, Thanks for Sticking Around” — the $uicideboy$ have slowly gained a new following.
The $uicideboy$ belong to a new generation of artists that built a fanbase on Soundcloud releases, a website on which users can post music that other users can access for free. Artists such as XXXTentacion, Lil Peep, and Ski Mask the Slump God, all belong to this generation of “Soundcloud rappers”. Since the release of their first project in 2014 (Kill Yourself Part I: The $uicide $aga), the $uicideboy$ have produced over 40 EP’s and mixtapes. Their first studio album, I Want to Die in New Orleans, was released in 2018. Apple Music wrote in the description of the album that ” It would take a group called $uicideBoy$ to pen a love letter to their hometown and call it I Want to Die in New Orleans.” The boys have a very unique style, and this is mirrored by the label that they release music under, G*59, a record label that the boys started on their own, alongside underground artist and longtime collaborator Ramirez.
$crim
The older of the two cousins, Scott Anthony Arceneaux Jr., is responsible for the beat production on many of the $uicideboy$ tracks, as well as the scratchy, drugged up delivery of his dark and melancholy lyrics. In both his music and in interviews, $crim discusses his past, particularly his abuse and addiction to opiates. This is the basis for many of his lyrics, as he is self-proclaimed sober form all substances since 2017.
$crim Highlights
“Nicotine Patches” (0:43-1:24)
“122 Days” (1:12-2:26)
“2nd Hand” (0:00-0:54)
“For the Last Time” (0:19-1:16)
Ruby da Cherry
Ruby is the other half of the boys, and has a much different style than his counterpart. Where as $crim’s delivery is usually marked by the slowness and slurring of words, Ruby’s flow is speedy, sometimes very intently choppy, but always extremely unique. You would be hard pressed to find an artist that mirrors Ruby da Cherry.
Ruby Highlights
“Rotten and Paralyzed in a Tropical Paradise” (1:49-2:20)
“My Flaws Burn Through My Skin Like Demonic Flames from Hell” (0:55-1:31)
“Nm Jc” (0:47-1:22)
“One Girl, Six Blades, One Night of Sin” (1:35-2:07)
These songs should get you started on $uicideboy$. As one of my favorite makers of music ever, and one of the lesser known artists in the music industry, it is always exciting to turn people on to the boys. If you like their sound and want to hear more, feel free to reach out as I would be happy to suggest some of their best tracks.
“G59 UNTIL THE GRAVE”
I have never heard of $uicideboy$ before and I am so glad to have gotten some insight from this blog. What made you admire their music so much, as they are one of your most favorite music-makers ever? Which of their songs is your all-time-favorite?
I am actually very invested in your blog. I may be pretty out of the loop with modern music, but I actually search the artists you post about and listen to their music while I am reading! I also forgot to tell you before that my ex-boyfriend produced the song Foreign which features Nav so there is a connection I have to your blog posts. Excited to see what is to come!
I really enjoyed this new style of post for the blog. I also liked the exposure to new artists that comes from this post, the song highlights give a good jumping-off point to try listening to them. I would really like to see more posts like this one with other lesser-known artists.
I really did like this post because this is the type of music I listen to that not many people know about. I do listen to a little bit of $uicide Boy$, but I mostly listen to Lil Peep, $not, XXX, and occasionally Lil Tracy. I really like how each of your posts are different and I would keep that up!
I liked the new format of this post, especially the song links with time stamps and mini-biographies of the cousins. Honestly, this blog helps me listen to new artists and expand my music range. I would love to see any other of your favorite underrated artists.