You know that feeling when a song just captures a specific type of gray-sky misery? That’s basically what happens the second the beat drops on this track. It’s been years since it first appeared on High Tide in the Snake’s Nest, but people are still obsessed with the $uicideboy$ Clouds as Witnesses lyrics because they don’t just talk about being sad—they live in it.
The duo from New Orleans, Ruby da Cherry and $crim, have built an entire empire out of the "G59" aesthetic, but this specific song is often cited as the definitive entry point for fans. It isn't just about the words. It's the atmosphere. It's the sound of a humid, drug-fueled night where everything feels like it's falling apart, and honestly, that resonates.
The Raw Reality of the Clouds as Witnesses Lyrics
Let’s talk about the structure. It’s simple. Dark. Lo-fi.
$crim starts things off with a verse that feels like a heavy weight. When he mentions "snorting lines off a glass table," he isn't trying to sound cool or like some untouchable rockstar. It sounds weary. That’s the magic of the boy$. They stripped away the glamour that usually follows drug references in hip-hop. Instead, they replaced it with the gritty, ugly reality of addiction and the mental fog that comes with it.
His flow is sluggish, almost like he’s fighting to get the words out against the weight of the production. He talks about the "clouds as witnesses," which gives the song its name and its haunting, nihilistic perspective. The idea is that the only things seeing his struggle are the indifferent clouds above. Nobody is coming to save him. It’s a lonely thought.
Ruby da Cherry then slides in with a higher energy but equally dark sentiment. Ruby has always been the more melodic half, often leaning into his punk and hardcore roots. In this track, his verse dives into the feeling of being an outcast. He mentions "7th Ward by the lake," anchoring the song in their New Orleans geography. It gives the lyrics a sense of place that makes the despair feel more grounded and real.
Why the Production Changes Everything
You can’t analyze the lyrics without talking about the beat. $crim (as Budd Dwyer) produced this, and it’s a masterclass in "Cloud Rap" or "Shadow Rap."
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The sample is ethereal. It loops in a way that feels circular, like a thought you can't get out of your head. When you listen to the $uicideboy$ Clouds as Witnesses lyrics while that beat is pulsing in the background, the words take on a different texture. It’s not just poetry; it’s a vibe.
A lot of people overlook how much the 808s matter here. They aren't aggressive like modern trap. They are muted. Damped. They feel like a heartbeat heard through a wall. This choice mirrors the lyrical content perfectly—it's about internal struggle, not outward projection.
Addressing the "Edgy" Label
Critics often dismiss G59 lyrics as being "edgy" for the sake of it. They see the mentions of death, demons, and substances and roll their eyes. But if you actually sit with the lyrics, there is a lot of nuance there.
There's a specific line about "all of my friends are dead," which became a bit of a meme in later years through other artists, but for the boy$, it wasn't a catchphrase. It was a literal reflection of the opioid crisis hitting their circle in New Orleans. When they talk about these themes, it’s coming from a place of genuine loss.
The $uicideboy$ Clouds as Witnesses lyrics are a snapshot of a time when they were genuinely at the bottom. They weren't playing characters. They were recording in kitchens and bedrooms, thinking they might not make it to the next year. That's why the "edge" feels sharp—it’s real.
The Connection to Mental Health
In a weird way, these lyrics have become a form of therapy for a huge segment of their audience. It sounds counterintuitive. How does listening to someone talk about wanting to give up help you?
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It's about visibility.
When a fan hears $crim or Ruby articulate that exact brand of numbness—the "I don't even care enough to be angry" feeling—it makes them feel less like an alien. The lyrics act as a mirror. You aren't alone in the clouds.
The Cultural Shift of 2015
Looking back, 2015 was a pivotal year for the underground. Soundcloud was becoming a powerhouse. The $uicideboy$ Clouds as Witnesses lyrics were part of a wave that changed how rap sounded.
Before this, rap was largely about aspiration. It was about getting the money, the cars, the life. $uicideboy$ flipped the script. They made music for the kids who felt like they’d never have those things, or worse, the kids who had things but still felt empty inside.
They brought the "horrorcore" influence of Three 6 Mafia and combined it with the emotional vulnerability of emo-rock. It shouldn't have worked. On paper, it sounds like a mess. But in practice? It created a subculture that is still going strong nearly a decade later.
Breaking Down the Key Verses
If you look at the middle of Ruby's verse, he touches on the idea of the "Oddy Nuff" persona. He’s always been vocal about his various alter egos. This isn't just a gimmick. It’s a way to process different parts of his psyche. One ego might be aggressive and boastful, while another is suicidal and fragile.
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In "Clouds as Witnesses," we get a mix. We see the "7th Ward Lord" trying to maintain a tough exterior while the lyrics betray a deep-seated sadness.
Then there’s the line about the "black suit" and the "casket." It’s morbid imagery, sure. But it’s also symbolic of a desire for peace. In the context of the song, death isn't necessarily something to fear—it's presented as the ultimate silence, an end to the noise of the world.
Common Misinterpretations
Some people think the song is a literal "how-to" guide for a dark lifestyle. That’s a massive misunderstanding.
If you listen to the interviews they’ve done since getting sober—$crim especially has been very open about his journey—you realize that these lyrics were a cry for help. They were documenting a disaster, not celebrating it.
The $uicideboy$ Clouds as Witnesses lyrics are a warning. They show the exhaustion of the "lifestyle." There is no joy in the verses. There is no "party." There’s just the "clouds" and the "witnesses."
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Listeners
If you’re diving into the discography or trying to understand why this song has such a grip on the internet, here is how to actually engage with it:
- Listen to the "Kill Yourself" Sagas in Order: To understand where "Clouds as Witnesses" fits, you need to hear the progression. It’s part of a larger narrative of struggle and eventual (in later years) recovery.
- Pay Attention to the Samples: $crim’s production is half the story. Look up the samples he used; it often adds a layer of irony or deeper meaning to the lyrics.
- Acknowledge the Evolution: Compare these lyrics to their 2024 or 2025 releases. You’ll see a massive shift in perspective. They went from being "witnessed by clouds" to being leaders of a massive independent movement. It’s a survival story.
- Separate the Art from the Action: Use the music as an outlet for your own frustrations, but remember that the artists themselves eventually chose a path of healing. Use their growth as the blueprint, not just their early pain.
The legacy of this track isn't just in the stream counts. It's in the way it gave a voice to a very specific, very quiet kind of suffering. It’s dark, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s undeniably honest. That’s why we’re still talking about it.