Trust Issues

As one-fourth of SOB X RBE—the Vallejo crew putting a new spin on Bay Area hyphy and mob music—Yhung T.O. always felt primed for solo success, with a melodic delivery that nailed hook after hook. *Trust Issues* is T.O.’s first release since announcing his departure from the group in fall 2018, and where SOB X RBE tracks so often celebrated teamwork, the solo project touts a different mantra—one of self-reliance over everything else. Here the beats are moodier and more contemplative (without sacrificing that signature Vallejo knock), and on “Slime,” T.O. alludes to old friends turned distant. At least we’ll always have the memories.

SOB X RBE is already a compelling rap machine, a potential powerhouse in waiting. But this solo outing suggests that there’s plenty of life outside the group, too.