I caught up with the hottest artists on the block right now, from my hometown Vallejo, located in the North Bay Area, SOB X RBE. The group was on tour with Platinum recording artist and producer Sage The Gemini, and they concluded the “West For Winter” tour here with a sold-out show at The Catalyst. We talked about the process of making music, how they were able to hook up with Sage for the tour, unbelievable fan support, similarities between their group and N.W.A., favorite songs they made, how they got out there, their process of choosing the 12 songs of the tape, and advice to other artists. Not to mention, growing up in the struggle of living in North Vallejo (Country Club Crest to be exact, the same place as the late, great, Mac Dre), has inspired them to do the best with what they have and how they were endorsed by other big-name rap artists like E-40, HBK Gang, Mozzy, and Tee Grizzley. Enjoy the interview and check the concert review below written by Rizal Aliga (riz aka djrsd). (*SHOUTOUT TO CURTIS & STRETCH AND ALL THE PRODUCERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS, AND FANS*)!
-djrsd
SOB X RBE Review
Young, but still on the rise, SOB X RBE needs to be on your radar. SOB X RBE stands for ‘Strictly Only Brothers, Real Boi Entertainment.’ The group consists of four members ages 18,18, 19, and 20; SOB X RBE never holds back the notion that age is just a number. The group represents four artists that reside from North (Crestside) Vallejo, CA: Yhung T.O., Slimmy B, DaBoii, and Lul G. Similar sound to N.W.A., SOB X RBE also credits local and platinum artists that influence them like Future, Drake, Lil Wayne, E-40, Mac Dre, and Nef the Pharaoh and Tee Grizzley with “that Detroit sound.”
The group developed their own rap style in their hometown Vallejo – the famous hotbed of hip-hop for the Bay Area producing stars such as Mac Dre, E-40, and Nef The Pharaoh. Slimmy B (20), graduated Vallejo High School in 2015, while DaBoii (19), graduated Benicia High School the same year. According to a source, Yhung T.O. and Lul G (both 18), are “seniors finishing up some classes” at my alma mater, Jesse M. Bethel High School, which is also located in Vallejo. Lul G states that “we all met when we were young and we are still close to this day.” They began their stint with DaBoii’s “100 Bars,” and Slimmy B’s and Yhung T.O.’s “Bad Lil B*tch.” A few weeks later, Yhung T.O. and Slimmy B dropped “Cautious” which is one of Slimmy B’s favorite songs.
After “Cautious,” DaBoii dropped his favorite song “Can’t Tame Us” followed by “Game Over,” “401 Degreez,” and the –2 million view– hit single “Different.” “Different,” “Anti,” and “Lane Changing,” clearly fan favorites and SOB X RBE is known across the nation, from as west as Vallejo, to as east as Detroit with Tee Grizzley’s area. However, SOB X RBE’s new self-titled mixtape has caught fans by surprise with its outstanding production and wide variety and different taste of songs.
SOB X RBE went on tour with Sage The Gemini and hit up the following cities:
Slimmy B stated San Luis Obispo (SLO) was the best show, while Yhung T.O. and Lul G both agreed that Sacramento (SAC) and San Luis Obispo (SLO) were best shows. However, Santa Cruz was live! The DJ for SOB X RBE, my childhood homie Xslapz, started the night with his own quick five minute set. Xslapz had the crowd going mainey, as SOB X RBE came out to “Calvin Cambridge,” followed by Yhung T.O.’s recent single “On My Momma (produced by Remedy).” Fans traveling from all over California went crazy the rest of the night, watching SOB X RBE perform “No Love” and “Lane Changing.” During the quick second break, they brought out Lil Sheik for their song “Ballin’” (stay tuned for Lil Sheik’s mixtape coming soon)! The group ended their performance with hit songs “Anti” and “Different.” Sage The Gemini came later and had a stellar performance.
I went to this concert with a goal to interview one artist for my Intro to Radio class, and for my first interview, I am blessed and fortunate to interview artists from my hometown of Vallejo especially the talented SOB X RBE. I remember when I first heard SOB X RBE, my little cousin always played their songs whenever we went to go eat (lol). From there I checked out SOB X RBE when they hosted their “All Stars” event on December 9, 2016, and since then, I had tried to book an interview but they were grindin’ in the studio. It’s truly mind-blowing to see SOB X RBE blow up like that, especially being “in a rare position” of representing and making it out of Vallejo. Wish nothing but the best for my friends SOB X RBE.
-riz aka djrsd of 88.1FM KZSC Santa Cruz
