Nearly ten years ago, an article crowning the “Best Rappers Out Of The Badger State” circulated throughout niche corners of social media platforms. Solo acts like IshDARR and groups like 3rd Dimension were prominently featured, but deep in the comments section, someone wrote, “Rob Hicks, and Beamon are all really good artist[s] out of Wisconsin too.”
As fate would have it, years later, the world would come to feel the same, but under a new name. Rated-R Playboy, formerly Rob Hicks, gained traction with singles like “Bossy” and “Black Coffee” before breaking through with the Rick Ross-assisted track “Same Number” in 2023. After enjoying the success of the viral record, the Wisconsin native has returned with his new project, WASITWORTHIT?
Twelve tracks long, WASITWORTHIT? showcases the Racine rapper’s ability to meet the moment over a variety of production, ranging from the soulful “REFLECTION” to the dance-leaning “ASSUMPTIONS” and beyond. Pulling in hooks, verses, and vocals from Genique, Gabby B, and Malik Elijah, Rated-R Playboy also displays his ability to shape shift into the ideal complement to each guest artist. Through it all, he manages to sprinkle pieces of his backstory into pockets of “REFLECTIONS,” “RUN,” “DEMISE OF A KING” and a few other standouts. As the project comes to a close, what emerges is less a linear autobiography and more of a intriguing self-portrait that is unfinished, but leaves more than enough to hit replay and say, “I definitely want to hear more from him.”
Rated-R Playboy is a dynamic artist who is ready to reintroduce himself under a new name with a plethora of sounds and an abundance of skill. Get to know the penman from Racine, Wisconsin below.
