Yhung T.O.

California rapper Yhung T.O. is best known as part of the rap collective SOB X RBE (Strictly Only Brothers, Real Boi Entertainment) and he’s defined by his vocal/rap hybrid style. Born and raised in Vallejo — in the Bay Area of California, where all members of the crew lived — Yhung started off by making music on his Playstation with DaBoii, recording vocals on their phones. From there they connected with Lul G and Slimmy B through mutual acquaintances; together they hit it off creatively, forming a creative brotherhood. As they would often reiterate, SOB X RBE wasn’t created as a rap group, but more of a mutually supportive collective, giving individual members the freedom to release solo material and feature on a regular basis. Yhung T.O., in particular, was no stranger to his solo career, featuring on tracks by numerous artists including Nef the Pharaoh’s “Spice” and Philthy Rich’s “Around,” the latter of which also featured Gucci Mane. By 2017 he had even recorded his debut solo album, On My Momma, which featured SOB X RBE members DaBoii and Slimmy B, alongside fellow California rapper Mozzy. In 2018, Yhung T.O. and the rest of SOB X RBE contributed the track “Paramedic!” to the chart-topping soundtrack to the film Black Panther. They followed with Gangin, which landed at 74 on the Billboard 200 in early 2018. Gangin II arrived later that autumn on the heels of Yhung T.O.’s decision to leave the group. ~ Liam Martin