$uicideboy$
Biography
$uicideboy$ is an American hip-hop duo from New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in 2014 by cousins Scott Arceneaux Jr. (known as $crim) and Aristos Petrou (known as Ruby da Cherry). They grew up together in New Orleans and initially pursued separate musical paths. $crim was a DJ and songwriter, while Ruby was involved in the punk rock scene. Feeling dissatisfied with the direction of their lives and careers, they joined forces, making a pact that they would end their lives if they didn't succeed in music. This pact gave birth to their name, $uicideboy$.
Musical Style and Themes
$uicideboy$'s music is characterized by a dark blend of horrorcore and glitch-trap, featuring booming bass, ominous atmospheres, and rhymes often centered on drugs and occultism. Their lyrical content frequently explores themes of depression, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse, which has resonated with a dedicated fanbase who find their music to be a form of therapy. While some songs have a melancholy tone, others are aggressive and feature themes of violence. The duo is considered a significant act in the underground rap scene, and their style has been categorized as punk rap, trap, cloud rap, and emo rap.
Production and Influences
$crim is the primary producer for the duo, creating most of their beats under the pseudonym Budd Dwyer. Their music is heavily influenced by early Three 6 Mafia, whom they often sample. They also draw inspiration from hometown acts like the Hot Boys and other early Cash Money artists. Ruby da Cherry's punk rock background also adds a unique element to their sound.
Career and Discography
The duo rose to popularity on SoundCloud, where they began releasing their music. They own and operate their own label, G*59 Records. Their prolific output includes numerous EPs and mixtapes, such as the "Kill Your$elf" series. In 2018, they released their debut studio album, "I Want to Die in New Orleans," which became their first top-ten album on the US Billboard 200. Subsequent albums include "Long Term Effects of SUFFERING" (2021), "Sing Me a Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation" (2022), and "New World Depression" (2024). They have also collaborated with other artists, including a notable EP with Travis Barker titled "Live Fast, Die Whenever."
Solo Projects
Both members have engaged in solo work. Before forming $uicideboy$, $crim released several mixtapes as a solo hip-hop artist. Ruby also had a background in music, playing violin and drums from a young age and being part of a punk band before teaming up with his cousin.