Shloob is Done Being Humble: How the Louisville Artist is Raging His Way Into a New Era With “S.I.C.”
- Jordyn Mayes
- Jul 18
- 5 min read
After years of quiet hustle, the Genius-Signed Louisville rapper is turning up the volume and the rage with “S.I.C.,” his most explosive release to date.
In the middle of a glitchy Zoom call and casual laughs about poor Wi-Fi, Shloob leans into the screen with a grin. “It’s ‘Sick,’ but spelled ‘S.I.C.’ I scream ‘sick’ all throughout the song,” he says. “But it actually stands for Suck It Clean.”
It’s a perfect encapsulation of who Shloob is — charismatic, slightly chaotic, and unafraid to be both serious and unserious at once. His latest single S.I.C., out today, is loud, bold, and bubbling with rage in the best way. It’s a mosh-pit anthem built on bouncy drums, crunchy vocals, and a shouted hook that comes together to create the ultimate song of the summer. And for Shloob, it marks a shift in his artistry — an intentional departure from being slept on to being impossible to ignore.
“I just want people to say ‘ayy’ when they hear it,” he says with a smile. “That’s really it. If I get that during a show, I’m good.”
From Louisville, With Layers
For years, Shloob has existed in that odd middle space between cult favorite and hometown secret. He’s toured with Jack Harlow, collaborated with indie mainstays like 2forwOyNE and Taylor*, and developed a sonic palette that spans unique flavor, meme-rap references, and alternative textures. But S.I.C. is different — it’s entertainment at its peak.
“I knew I couldn’t drop this song until it sounded like a full anime scene,” he says. “It had to be that full, that chaotic, that cinematic. I wanted it to feel like a moment.”
Raised in Louisville, Shloob is deeply connected to his city — not just in sound, but in how he moves. He’s self-funded, self-motivated, and, for the most part, self-contained.
“I’ve never paid for a beat in my life,” he says, eyes widening. “My brother makes beats. It's the best thing ever.”
He jokes about how people assume he’s rich just because he’s toured or had songs on the radio. But the reality is grittier. He sells shoes at the iconic Oneness store on Bardstown Road. He still has to choose between getting a video shot or fixing his car.
“I don’t mind that grind,” he says. “Because I know what I’m working toward.”
On Cool, Cartoons, and Cult Followings
Though his lyrics are filled with cleverness, Shloob doesn’t consider himself especially lyrical. What he values more is being specific — saying something honest and detailed, even if it’s not wrapped in metaphor.
“Timeless music comes from specifics,” he explains. “It’s like a classic movie. There’s always a build-up, a moment. Something unforgettable. Rap is the same. You can do all the onomatopoeia, the alliteration, but if you’re not saying anything real, it doesn’t land.”
His inspirations include Isaiah Rashad, Smino, and Playboi Carti — artists who’ve built careers on style, substance, and a strong sense of self.
“I like people with cult followings,” he says. “People that might not be household names, but they can tour the world, pay their people, and still go home and chill.”
It’s no surprise, then, that Shloob’s also obsessed with anime. The connection between animation and his music runs deep.
“I rap like it’s a cartoon fight,” he laughs. “It’s got to feel like energy flying through the screen.”
The aesthetics bleed into his visuals and even how he talks about success.
“I want to be on the early slot at some random festival across the world,” he says. “Doesn’t have to be main stage. I just want people there. I want to get flown out, flown back, maybe make no money but gain new fans. That’s success to me.”
A Song Called Sick
Produced by longtime collaborator and twin brother, 2forwOyNE, S.I.C. is raw, layered, and relentlessly hype. Shloob’s delivery is almost guttural at points, like he’s purging frustration and finally allowing himself to be loud.
“I don’t usually rage,” he says. “But this one — this one had to be rage.”
It’s one of those songs that feels tailor-made for live shows. But there’s depth behind the noise.
“It’s still saying something,” he says. “You just gotta catch it.”
The song’s creation was meticulous. Multiple versions, multiple mixes, multiple moments where he almost shelved it.
“I didn’t want it to sound like an open verse TikTok song,” he says. “I needed it to be full. Full drums, full beat, full intention.”
When asked what his younger self would think of S.I.C., he chuckles. “He’d be like, ‘Yo, this is hard.’ Then he’d hear the voice in the background and be like, ‘Wait, who is that?’ I’d have to explain AI.”
No Jokes, All Funny
Off-stage, Shloob is unexpectedly soft-spoken. He describes himself as quiet, even shy — the guy who tags along with his friends for “visual support” but doesn’t initiate conversation.
“I don’t got no game,” he shrugs. “I’m not the one hollering at girls on the street. If I talk too fast, I start stuttering. I can’t do all that New York energy.”
Still, his friends consider him one of the funniest in the crew.
“But I don’t really be joking,” he says. “I just talk, and somehow, it’s funny.”
He can’t roast. But what he has is authenticity — a kind of magnetic honesty that people latch onto.
Even when the topic turns to fashion, he’s hesitant. “My friends say I’m fly,” he admits. “But I just wear what feels right. I make cool raps. I wanna look cool doing it.”
On Family, Festivals, and What’s Next
Shloob’s life is dotted with unexpected connections. One of the wildest? Discovering that fellow Louisville artist Horace Gaither is actually his cousin.
“He uploaded a picture, and I was like, ‘That looks like the street I grew up on,’” Shloob recalls. “Called my mom, she called his mom — boom. We’re cousins.”
They’re now set to perform at the same Louisville show next month — the kind of full-circle moment that seems to happen often in Shloob’s orbit.
He’s also working on a larger project titled Trippin', with no confirmed release date yet.
“I’ve been trying to lock in,” he says. “But life’s been life-ing. Car problems. But when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”
In the meantime, he’s hoping to keep a steady pace — aiming for a new song and video every month. Next up is Worth It, another 2forwOyNE–produced track with a totally different feel.
“The drums on that one?” he says, eyes lighting up. “Crazy. I’m so excited for people to hear it.”
Pop Your Sh*t, Humbly
Before wrapping the interview, Shloob shares a piece of advice — for himself, for fans, for other artists coming up.
“Be yourself,” he says. “If you believe in it, do it until you collapse. Be humble, but go ahead and pop your sh*t too. It'll take you further.”
That’s exactly what he’s doing with S.I.C. — stepping into a bolder, brasher version of himself without losing the core that’s made him such a compelling voice in the first place.
The rage isn’t random. It’s calculated catharsis. And it’s just the beginning.
Listen to S.I.C. by Shloob, available now on all streaming platforms.
Copyright 2025 WAFFLE. Magazine All Rights Reserved.
Comments