G Herbo brings out his A-game for “Big Swerv 2.0.”
STREAM
TOP 5
Honorable Mention. 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. 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.
5. 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.
4. Ball (Ft. Meek Mill)
G-Herbo and Meek Mill are cut from the same murderous cloth.
What’s compelling about Meek Mill and G Herbo is how they balance street authenticity with a desire to move beyond a violent past. Unfortunately, in “Ball,” they explain the drive behind settling scores with their enemies, almost as if it’s their everyday job. The production’s dramatic flair complements their intensity, and the urgency in both their verses underscores the tension between their past lives and ambitions for something more stable.
3. In The Air (Ft. Lil Durk)
The level of foreshadowing that G Herbo and Lil Durk weave into their lyrics is striking.
With all the issues surrounding Lil Durk’s recent arrest, “In The Air” almost feels like a posthumous track. Over an emotional trap beat, Durk passionately reflects on feeling freer than ever, largely due to cutting ties with unreliable people. He also mentions spending time with killers, which might not help his current situation. Meanwhile, G Herbo shares his own story, rapping about his significant rise while staying true to his street persona. Although I’m not the biggest fan of his flow and rap style here, I do appreciate his honesty. Overall, this is a very solid track.
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 for smoke. 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 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. YN (3/5)
2. Dark Knight (3/5)
3. Play Your Part (Ft. Chris Brown) (3.5/5)
4. Ball (Ft. Meek Mill) (4/5)
5. In The Air (Ft. Lil Durk) (4/5)
6. Clap (3/5)
7. Nothin (3.5/5)
8. Strike You (3.5/5)
9. In The A (Ft. 21 Savage) (4/5)
10. Trim (4/5)
11. Ten (Ft. Sexyy Red) (3.5/5)
12. Influence (4/5)
13. Splat (4/5)
14. Shoot (Ft. Skilla Baby) (4/5)
15. No Pics
16. Global Spinning (Ft. BabyDrill) (3.5/5)
17. Drunk AF (3.5/5)
18. No Passes (Ft. Rob49) (4/5)
19. Spend That Bag (3.5/5)
20. Candyman (4/5)
21. 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.
