In early 2018, East Baltimore rapper Soduh released The Crocodile, an eight-track mixtape that introduced his new Lacoste-adoring alter ego. Though the project was just 24 minutes in total, it was the most comprehensive piece of work the rapper had released since first coming onto the Baltimore scene at the top of the decade. His near-murmur of a drawl, which he typically drags out in a way reminiscent of artists like C-Murder, finally had complimentary production. And his frequent nods to Baltimore's eastside pulled The Crocodile together as a tribute to his roots.
Next week, on April 27th, Soduh will be releasing the follow up to that project titled Top Croc, and today The FADER is premiering its first song and video. "NOPAD/NOPEN," which features PG County, Maryland rapper Lulu P, is a slow-burning track about the sacrifices that need to be made in order to make it. Much like the visuals associated with The Crocodile, it's a cinematic approach to extending the song's meaning that could double as a short. In the video, Soduh and Lulu P hold up a neighborhood corner store, before speeding off from the scene.
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"The song is based off of getting the job done through any circumstance. With any obstacle thrown at us, we conquer and prevail," Soduh said in a series of texts. "The inspiration behind the video is getting the audience to use their imagination. From the scene where I'm robbing the store, symbolizing how I'm coming for what's mine, to how I'm showing no gun (no pen), no cash (no pad)." Watch the video above.
Thumbnail photo: Micah E. Wood
