G Herbo brings out his A-game for “Big Swerv.”
STREAM
TOP 5
5. No Pics (Ft. Chief Keef)
Chief Keef and G Herbo in “No Pics” = Murderous Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
It always surprises me when Chicago rappers collaborate, given the complex politics there and the uncertainty about who’s friends with whom. But G Herbo and Chief Keef’s chemistry on “No Pics” is undeniable. Both rappers bring an animated style to the track, rapping about their aversion to cameras, their taste for luxury cars, and their readiness for conflict. While Herbo delivers a standout verse, it’s Keef’s wild energy that really grabs attention. I love how he raps with the intensity of someone giving their buddy directions on a high-speed chase.
4. Trim
My favorite beat on this album is featured in “Trim.”
In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if Metro Boomin’s little cousin had a hand in crafting this bass-heavy, flute-driven beat. G Herbo makes the most of it with a versatile flow, addressing his history of embracing challenges, dominating remixes, and concealing his struggles. Overall, “Trim” can be best described as barely enjoyable.
3. Candyman
G-Herbo gets on his soapbox in this track.
Is “Candyman” the most entertaining track on the album? Probably not. But it’s definitely one of the most authentic. Over a soulful beat with a laid-back tempo, G Herbo adopts a slow-paced flow and a near-numb tone to address his fraud charges, conflicts with rivals, and moments of doubt about his rap career. The honesty and rawness he brings to the track make it stand out in its own right.
2. Shoot (Ft. Skilla Baby)
Damn, y’all aren’t down to negotiate even a little bit?
What’s interesting about “Shoot” is that it pairs two midwestern rappers—G Herbo from Chicago and Skilla Baby from Detroit—with a New Orleans-inspired beat reminiscent of the Cash Money era. Despite the geographic contrasts, both artists bring their A-game. Skilla Baby delivers a super catchy hook that makes him sound more trigger-happy than Cam Thomas, while G Herbo provides a gritty, intense verse detailing his readiness to take action. It’s a violent track, but there’s something undeniably compelling about it.
1. In The A (Ft. 21 Savage)
G Herbo pays homage to Atlanta in a dope way in “In The A.”
This track is raw, hard-hitting, and catchy as hell. G Herbo uses a big part of the hook to pay homage to Atlanta legends like Lil Baby and Future, while flexing on his own success in the verses—talking about his expensive style, big guns, and women. 21 Savage, on the other hand, delivers a cold, no-nonsense verse where he talks about stacking cash, handling business with women, and dealing with his opps. The track hits with heavy bass and a catchy hook and showcases two different but equally nasty rap styles that complement each other perfectly.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Strike You (3.5/5)
2. In The A (Ft. 21 Savage) (4/5)
3. Trim (4/5)
4. Ten (Ft. Sexyy Red) (3.5/5)
5. Influence (4/5)
6. Splat (4/5)
7. Shoot (Ft. Skilla Baby) (4/5)
9. Global Spinning (Ft. BabyDrill) (3.5/5)
10. Drunk AF (3.5/5)
11. No Passes (Ft. Rob49) (4/5)
12. Spend That Bag (3.5/5)
13. Candyman (4/5)
14. Yup (3.5/5)
RGM RATING
(C) (76%)
G Herbo’s explosiveness doesn’t get highlighted enough.
Out of all the rappers in the game, G Herbo is one of the best at blending street business with flossing, finessing, hustling, and having fun. On Big Swerv, he balances these elements perfectly. One moment, he’s telling gritty stories about his rise through the ranks, and the next, he’s giving shoutouts to bad-ass chicks that catch his eye. Stylistically, Herbo is captivating throughout the album, dropping explosive verses with solid flows. At times, I even caught glimpses of him channeling Durk, Rob49, and Chief Keef—showing how versatile his delivery can be.
I loved the production attached to Big Swerv. Most of the beats on the album sound menacing, hard-hitting, and packed with bass. Herbo’s evolution is evident here, too—unlike in the past, where he sometimes jumped off the beat, he now rides them smoothly, letting his flow sync with the dark, booming production instead of clashing with it.
I love it when rappers collaborate with artists who complement their styles, and G-Herbo nailed it on this album by teaming up with artists who match his gritty edge, including Chief Keef, 21 Savage, BabyDrill, Rob49, and Skilla Baby. My standout feature has to be 21 Savage, but don’t sleep on the contributions from the others—they all bring something special to the table.
G Herbo is an acquired taste street rapper. If you f**k with his style, you will thoroughly enjoy this album.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
