Back in 2017, the Chicago drill scene was in a weird spot. The initial explosion of Chief Keef and King L had cooled off into a more corporate, polished sound, and fans were wondering if the raw, gritty storytelling that defined the city’s movement was dead. Then G Herbo dropped Humble Beast. It wasn't just another mixtape masquerading as an album. It was a statement. Honestly, it felt like a graduation.
Herbo was already a legend in the streets by the time his debut studio album hit the shelves. He’d spent years building a massive following with Welcome to Fazoland and Pistol P Project. But there was always this nagging question: could the kid with the off-beat flow and the hyper-aggressive bars actually put together a cohesive, cinematic project? Humble Beast answered that with a resounding yes. It’s a 15-track (on the standard version) odyssey through the mind of a young man who had seen too much but refused to be consumed by it.
The Dual Identity of G Herbo’s Debut
The title isn't just some catchy phrase. It’s a paradox that defines Herbert Wright III. You’ve got the "Humble" side—the kid from Terror Town who knows how lucky he is to have made it out when so many of his friends didn't. Then there's the "Beast." That’s the relentless, lyrical monster who can out-rap almost anyone in his class.
Take a track like "Street." It’s haunting. Produced by C-Sick, who basically became Herbo’s sonic architect on this project, the song captures that claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in your own neighborhood. Herbo doesn't just rap about violence; he raps about the aftermath of violence. The anxiety. The funerals. The constant looking over your shoulder.
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He’s transparent about the trauma. On "Malcolm," he crafts a storytelling masterpiece that rivals some of the best narratives in hip-hop history. It’s a tragic tale of a kid who had potential but got swallowed by the system and the streets. It’s gritty. It’s uncomfortable. It’s real.
Why the production felt different
Usually, drill music is characterized by frantic 808s and eerie, repetitive synths. Humble Beast shifted the DNA. By bringing in heavyweights like No I.D., London on da Track, and Southside, Herbo gave his sound a lush, expensive coat of paint.
"I Like" with Jamie Foxx? Nobody saw that coming. It was a pivot toward the mainstream that didn't feel like a sell-out move. It felt like a flex. He was proving he could play on the big stage without losing the dirt under his fingernails.
The Technical Growth and the "Off-Beat" Debate
For years, critics poked fun at Herbo’s timing. They said he couldn't stay on the beat. They called it sloppy. But if you really listen to Humble Beast, you realize it’s intentional. It’s jazz-like. He’s playing with the pocket of the rhythm in a way that creates tension.
On "Everything," featuring Lil Uzi Vert, he shows he can ride a high-energy, modern trap beat perfectly. The chemistry there is undeniable. It was a bridge between the dark alleys of Chicago and the neon-lit festivals where Uzi was a king.
But then he’ll switch it up. "Red Snow" is arguably the best song on the album. It’s a soul-baring look at the winters in Chicago—not just the weather, but the cold reality of losing friends to the concrete. The way he fits so many syllables into a bar shouldn't work, but it does. It adds to the urgency. You feel like he’s trying to say everything he needs to say before the song ends because he might not get another chance.
Most people get it wrong when they compare Herbo to his peers. He wasn't trying to make club hits. He was making a documentary in audio form.
The Guest Features That Actually Made Sense
A lot of debut albums get bogged down by too many features. Labels try to "boost" the artist by throwing every big name at the wall. Humble Beast was different.
- Lil Bibby: Obviously. You can't have a definitive Herbo project without his partner in crime. Their chemistry on "Mirror" is nostalgic. It reminds you of the "Kill Shit" days but with a more mature outlook.
- Bump J: A Chicago legend. Including him on "Crown" was a passing of the torch. It gave the album an air of local royalty.
- Jeremih: He adds that smooth, R&B texture to "Everything" (Remix) and "I Like" that helps the album breathe.
The Impact on the Chicago Scene
When we look back at the timeline, Humble Beast was the catalyst for a lot of what came after. It showed that "drill" artists didn't have to stay in a box. They could be introspective. They could be vulnerable.
Before this album, the industry often treated Chicago rappers like they were disposable. They were "viral moments" or "controversial figures." Herbo forced people to treat him like a musician. The Deluxe version, which dropped later, added even more depth with tracks like "Who Run It," which sparked a massive freestyle challenge across the entire rap world. Everyone from 21 Savage to A$AP Rocky had to hop on that beat because Herbo had set the bar so high.
What Most People Miss About the Lyrics
People hear the aggression and miss the philosophy. Herbo is actually quite conservative in his approach to life and business. He talks about saving money, staying away from "yes men," and the importance of loyalty.
In "Man Now," he reflects on the transition from a boy to a man under extreme pressure. He’s not bragging about being a "beast" just for the sake of it; he’s explaining that the beast was a survival mechanism. He had to be that way to get to the point where he could finally be humble.
The album isn't perfect. Some might say it’s a bit too long, especially if you dive into the Deluxe edition. Some of the middle tracks can blend together if you aren't paying close attention to the lyricism. But even the "filler" (if you want to call it that) is higher quality than most artists' lead singles.
How to Revisit Humble Beast Today
If you haven't listened to the album in a while, or if you’re a new fan who started with PTSD or 25, you need to go back.
- Listen for the transitions: The way the album moves from the aggressive intro to the more melodic mid-section is deliberate.
- Focus on the storytelling: Listen to "Malcolm" as if you’re watching a movie. Visualize the scenes.
- Pay attention to the C-Sick tracks: The chemistry between the producer and the rapper is top-tier.
Humble Beast wasn't just a debut; it was a survival guide. It remains the backbone of G Herbo’s discography because it houses his soul. It’s the moment he stopped being just a "Chicago rapper" and became a global force.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Listeners
To truly appreciate the depth of G Herbo’s work, start by listening to the original 15-track version of Humble Beast without interruptions to understand the narrative arc. Compare the production style of "Red Snow" to his later work on PTSD to see how his ear for beats evolved while his core message remained the same. For those interested in the technical side of rap, try counting the syllables in his bars on "Never Russo"—it’s a masterclass in non-traditional phrasing that eventually influenced a whole generation of "off-beat" rappers who followed in his footsteps. Finally, look up the "Who Run It" freestyle era on YouTube to see the cultural ripples this album sent through the industry, proving that Herbo's influence extended far beyond the city limits of Chicago.