After quietly grinding for years out of his native Chicago, G Herbo established himself as not only a platinum-selling, chart-topping phenomenon, but also as a staunch mental health advocate and proponent for change in the black community. Following a string of acclaimed projects, his critically celebrated third album PTSD bowed at #7 on the Billboard Top 200, received praise from Rolling Stone as “his most vulnerable album to date,” and yielded one of the most important songs of 2020—the platinum-certified title track “PTSD” [feat. Juice WRLD, Lil Uzi Vert, & Chance the Rapper]. 

Additionally, he launched the Swervin’ Through Stress youth mental health program which was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30. To further his commitment to championing these causes, he is also remodeling an old, shuttered, public elementary school into a community center in Chicago. In 2021, he reached new heights yet again. His fourth full-length offering, 25, soared to the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200, marking his second consecutive Top 10 and highest debut to date. Racking up hundreds of millions of streams right out of the gate, Pitchfork attested, “As Chicago’s G Herbo has gotten older, his music has become more urgent,” while he adorned KAZI’s cover. 

Simultaneously, he appeared on multiple #1 albums such as Pop Smoke’s Faith [“Run Down”] and The Kid LAROI’s F*CKLOVE3+: OVER YOU [“Don’t Leave Me”] as well as collaborating with Dave East and Harry Fraud. With a larger-than-life fanbase, G Herbo has shared the stage with everyone from Miley Cyrus to Marshmello. G Herbo remains a pillar of hip-hop and the culture. 

One of the most distinctive qualities found in Future’s songwriting is his palpable openness. He’s at his best when the scars on his wounded heart become a melodic voice of eloquent fluidity. A similar style of true-to-life-lyricism is present in the music of Philadelphia rapper Shaun Sloan. Sloan, 24, appears on the opening track of 1800 Seconds Vol. 2, a compilation album curated by 1800 Tequila and the previously-mentioned hip-hop superstar who handpicked seven on-the-rise artists to collaborate on an album together in New York City produced entirely by Papamitrou.

“My man told me to check the email,” Sloan says of 1800 reaching out to him. “It said that 1800 wanted me to be a part of the album. I was excited.” Not only did 1800 wish for Shaun Sloan to be a key feature on Vol. 2, but they wanted him to open the album. On top of a Future co-sign, to be the first voice heard on a promotional compilation project of this magnitude is nothing short of an honor.

“Seen my brother lose his life and that could’ve been me,” Shaun says with earnestness to begin “Hot Boy,” the full-hearted intro that starts 1800 Seconds Vol. 2. There’s sweeping vigor in Sloan’s voice. He coats every lyric with weighty emotion, yet his voice doesn’t shake. He is transparent as a diamond, yet durable as the head of a hammer. When he raps the line, “You can hear the passion, on God, I’m in a zone, yeah,” Shaun Sloan is telling the truth.