Ruby da Cherry and $crim have always thrived in the dirt. It’s their brand. But when $uicideboy$ New World Depression dropped in mid-2024, something felt heavier, even for them. This wasn't just another batch of cloud rap bangers to blast in a beat-up Honda Civic; it felt like a reckoning with the very success they’ve spent a decade building.
The underground isn't underground anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time.
Why $uicideboy$ New World Depression Hits Different
Most artists hit a peak and then start coasting on nostalgia. G59 Records doesn't really do that. On this record, you can hear the friction between their massive wealth and the lingering shadows of their past addictions and mental health struggles. It's weirdly relatable. Even if you aren't a multi-millionaire rapper from New Orleans, the feeling of "I have everything I wanted, so why do I still feel like trash?" is a universal vibe in the 2020s.
The production is filthy. $crim (as Budd Dwyer) has evolved into a legitimate master of the boards. We’re talking about those signature distorted 808s, but there’s a polish here that doesn’t sacrifice the grit. It’s dark. It’s moody. It’s exactly what the title promises.
Some fans were worried. They thought sobriety might kill the creative spark that made I Want to Die in New Orleans so visceral. Honestly? They were wrong. New World Depression proves that you don't need to be actively self-destructing to make music that sounds like a panic attack in a dark alley.
The Sonic Shift
Songs like "Burgundy" and "The Thin Grey Line" show a level of technical proficiency that puts a lot of mainstream radio rappers to shame. Ruby’s flows are acrobatic. He’s switching cadences every four bars, jumping from a melodic croon to a rapid-fire triplet delivery that hits like a jackhammer.
Meanwhile, $crim’s verses are more grounded, often reflecting on his journey through recovery and the paranoia that comes with fame. He’s talked openly in interviews—and through his lyrics—about how the industry tries to box them in. They aren’t just "SoundCloud rappers" anymore. They are the architects of a whole subgenre.
Breaking Down the "New World" Narrative
The "New World" part of the title isn't just a cool-sounding phrase. It refers to the post-pandemic, hyper-digital, increasingly isolated reality we're all living in. $uicideboy$ have always tapped into the collective nihilism of Gen Z and younger Millennials, but here, it feels more targeted.
The world changed.
The Boy$ changed.
The depression just took a new shape.
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- The struggle with legacy versus current relevance.
- The isolation of the top—it’s lonely when everyone wants a piece of you.
- Managing old demons while living a new, sober life.
You see it in the way they handle their rollout. There was a time when they would drop dozens of tracks a year. Now, they're more calculated. They know their worth. They aren't chasing a TikTok trend, even though "Are You Going to See the Rose in the Vase, or the Vase on the Table" became a massive sound on the platform. They stay authentic by staying miserable, in a way.
What People Miss About the G59 Empire
A lot of critics look at $uicideboy$ and see the tattoos and the aggressive imagery and write them off as "horrorcore" or "shock rap." That’s a massive oversimplification. If you actually listen to the lyricism on New World Depression, there is a deep, agonizing poeticism there.
They reference Three 6 Mafia, sure, but they also reference classic literature and obscure horror cinema. It’s a collage of trauma.
The "New World Depression" tour was another beast entirely. Selling out arenas? That was unheard of for a group that started by posting tracks on a platform that most people thought was for aspiring EDM DJs. They brought out Denzel Curry, Pouya, and HAARPER, turning a rap concert into something that felt more like a punk rock riot.
It’s about the community. The Grey Day tours have become a pilgrimage for people who feel like outsiders. When you’re in that crowd, the "depression" isn't a weight; it's a shared language.
Is It Their Best Work?
That’s a tough one. If you’re a die-hard fan of the Kill Your$elf sagas, you might miss the raw, low-fidelity hiss of the early tapes. But if you value songwriting and cohesive themes, this is arguably their most mature project.
It doesn't have the manic energy of Stop Staring at the Shadows, but it replaces that with a cold, calculated intensity. It’s the difference between a bar fight and a professional hit. Both are violent, but one is much more effective.
The Reality of Being "Post-Underground"
One of the biggest hurdles any independent artist faces is the "sell-out" accusation. The Boy$ have navigated this better than almost anyone. They haven't signed to a major label. They haven't watered down their sound for radio play.
On New World Depression, they lean into the fact that they are wealthy now. They talk about the cars and the houses, but they frame it through a lens of dissatisfaction.
"I got everything I wanted / Still feel like I'm haunted."
That’s the core of the album. It’s the realization that external success is a bandage on a gunshot wound. It might stop the bleeding for a second, but the internal damage is still there.
Key Tracks to Revisit
- "Us vs. Them": This is the anthem. It defines the "us against the world" mentality that has fueled G59 from day one.
- "Lone Wolf Hysteria": A frantic, high-energy track that shows Ruby still has the fastest tongue in the game.
- "Are You Going to See the Rose in the Vase...": A more melodic, introspective cut that shows their range.
How to Approach This Album if You're a New Listener
Don't go in expecting pop hooks. This is music meant to be felt in your chest.
If you're trying to understand why $uicideboy$ New World Depression is such a big deal, you have to look at the context of the rap landscape in 2024 and 2025. Everything is so fleeting now. Songs are designed to be fifteen-second clips.
The Boy$ make albums.
They make worlds.
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New World Depression is an invitation into a headspace that is uncomfortable, loud, and brutally honest. It’s not for everyone. It’s not supposed to be.
Actionable Steps for the G59 Fan
To truly appreciate the depth of what Ruby and $crim have done here, you need to go beyond just streaming the tracks on repeat.
First, check out the official lyrics on Genius or the G59 website. The wordplay is dense, and a lot of the references to New Orleans culture and their own history are easy to miss on a first listen.
Second, watch the live performances from the Grey Day 2024 tour. The energy of these tracks changes completely when you see the mosh pits and the raw emotion on their faces.
Third, pay attention to the production. If you’re a producer or just a gear-head, listen to the way $crim layers the melodies. There are subtle atmospheric noises—sirens, muffled voices, static—that create a cinematic feel.
Finally, recognize the importance of the independent movement. $uicideboy$ New World Depression is a victory lap for DIY artists everywhere. It proves that you can build a massive, sustainable career on your own terms without sacrificing your soul to a corporate machine.
Support the artists directly by grabbing physical media or official merch. In an era of fractions-of-a-penny streaming royalties, that’s how these movements stay alive. Keep the Grey 59 flame burning.