While still relatively new to the game, Chicago-based rapper Clo is coming in hot with a fully-developed sound that combines many of the most compelling trends in hip-hop.
Along with full support from an important underground veteran, Warhol.ss — who also happens to be his real-life brother — both artists seem to exist in this fertile middle ground ripe for innovation, with Warhol leaning slightly towards the Soundcloud underground and Clo embracing a grittier, understated rap flow.
In light of his introduction to the game, Clo (pronounced Cee-Low) dropped off a new visual for “F&N” – a hard-hitting, fairly unorthodox standout off his recent Black Sheep project that sees him flexing his unique style at the intersection of SoundCloud rap and gritty, rap-first street bars.
“F&N” is the perfect sampler to Clo’s tightly-crafted style. He takes a super interesting line over the eerie beat and infectious drumline (prod. by GMoneyMadeIt) – effortlessly gliding over the busy production with a captivating, deceptively simple delivery and fully-baked original bars. Even while remaining in a relatively monotone pocket and running back his verse twice, Clo manages to sound fresh and dynamic throughout.
While simple, the video for “F&N” (shot by KBVBY) perfectly matches the straightforward, no-frills feel of the song – adding to Clo’s quiet gangster persona with a mostly covered face and intensely confident on-camera presence as he calmly explains what makes an F&N special.
True underground stans will pick up on some of the influence of Warhol and perhaps even a little Lucki — another Chicago native who’s considered to be the “underground king” — as well as that unmistakable Chi-Town accent peeking through. That said, Clo has definitely created his own sound by infusing a more Atlanta or even Florida street rap approach – at different times resembling the fierce monotone of Nardo Wick, the lightly melodic yet fully rap flow of Hotboii, or the gritty idiosyncratic delivery of Chicago up-and-comer, BigKayBeezy. As a result, there’s already a massive appetite for Clo’s unique blend of sounds, and his star will only rise as fans of all of them begin to tap in.
Between his incredibly compelling sound and unique positioning as the brother and first artist of Warhol.ss, Clo is an extremely interesting new act entering the mix and definitely one to keep an eye on.
Watch Clo’s “F&N” below
