Atlanta rapper Tony Shhnow is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the plugg subgenre of rap, but on his new album Out the Woods, the emcee expands his scope while still honoring his roots. He shows an appetite for a wide variety of styles while still splashing in dashes of plugg here and there, like a chef adding the perfect amount of salt for taste. Throughout this tightrope walk of different sounds, Shhnow retains his signature sardonic, witty delivery.
One look at the playlist Shhnow assembled for us helps put the album’s influences into context. This is a tour of Tony’s mind, and it’s clear that most of Shhnow’s history can be summed up by his obsession with Southern rap. There are classic cuts from Migos, Gucci, the late Bankroll Fresh, and Future, but songs from Lil Wayne and A$AP Rocky, too. Pimp C and UGK make an appearance, as does Lil B. Tony Shhnow is a rapper who feels pulled between the worlds of pre-internet rap and post-, creating music that lives in the latter but is deeply informed by the former. On Out the Woods, he sounds untethered from this world entirely, creating his own reality vaguely familiar but revealing at every turn.
Out the Woods is out today—stream it here and find his playlist below.
K-Rab presents BHI, “Dat Bubble Gum”
This song literally describes my childhood in Atlanta. The skating rinks, house parties, just being outside in Atlanta. It’s super nostalgic for me and brings back a lot of memories growing up.
D.G. YOLA, “Ain’t Gon Let Up”
This is adolescent motivational Tony Shhnow music. This song really just describes how n****s hating on him and he ain’t gon’ let up. This is motivation for a young, fly, fresh dude.
Lil Wayne, “Tha Mobb”
Greatest rapper alive. I don’t have to say nothing else. I used to like Tha Carter III ’cause that’s literally my era, but 2 is up there and has grown on me a lot, even though it’s from a little before my era. It’s top three, close second when it comes to ranking Tha Carter series.
Migos, “Rich Then Famous”
RIP Takeoff. Probably the greatest Takeoff verse ever. This describes my entire high school experience in one song.
Gucci Mane, “Iced Out Bart”
This is a rare Gucci song that taught me a lot about relationships and being a hustler. I relate the situation of when you a hustler and tryna be in a relationship, make something happen, and they just don’t wanna listen or entertain you. I found this song before I made Love Streak, but that mindset definitely inspired a bit of Love Streak.
Bankroll Fresh, ”Sydney”
RIP Bankroll Fresh. This song just makes me feel myself, makes me wanna go get some money. I found this song maybe a week or two after I met Bankroll Fresh at an open mic at Harlem Nights (now The Life Club) in ATL and became an instant fan. I was already a fan of his, but after seeing him and how humble he was in person, that project (Life of a Hotboy 2) just stuck with me forever.
Future, “Dirty Sprite”
Futuuuuuuureeeeeeeeee.
Soulja Boy, “Sidekick”
You wanna talk about the Southern Kanye West, Soulja Boy Tell ’Em? A.k.a. Deandre Way, a.k.a. S Beezy? Let me tell you—this man forever changed hip-hop. Some say for the good, some say for the bad. I don’t care, I’m enjoying it! I love the beat on this, I always wanted to rap on it. How he came out was a big influence on how I’m coming up, type shit. From putting out all his beats, dropping music on the internet, being young... I’m pretty sure he was recording himself (I feel like he was). Doing everything so sufficiently. That all has inspired me and my come-up.
JAY-Z feat. Blackstreet, “The City Is Mine”
I found this song around the time of Reflexions, and it always just stuck with me. I feel like the King everytime I listen to it.
A$AP Rocky feat. ScHoolboy Q, “Brand New Guy”
I like this song ’cause I feel like it’s a perfect blend of all coasts. A beautiful blend of all the coasts in one song, and a crazy power link-up for its time.
Lil Wayne, “Let the Beat Build”
I think this was a perfect combo between a rapper/producer [Kanye West] and a rapper. It was the greatest rapper in the world at the time and the greatest producer in the world at the time. I still think Wayne is the GOAT.
Pimp C, “I’s a Playa”
This is a song I just always grew up with. I was put on when I was 10 years old, from one of my aunty’s boyfriends—coincidentally the same guy who gave me my rap name. I feel like I embody this song. If I had a theme song, this is what it would be.
UGK, “Hi Life”
This is the first song I got high to. Probably when I was like, 16 or 17. I be high.
Lil Wayne, “I’m Me”
Lil Wayne, again the greatest rapper alive, doing what he does on the regular. I only know about this EP because of “Gossip”—that was one of my favorite songs for a long time, and then I found “I’m Me.”
SpaceGhostPurp, “Suck a N***a Dick for 2011”
Top 10 beats of all time, let’s just get that out the way. Not a super big fan of Purrp’s personal life, but I cannot deny talent. This song is crazy. This song has been in my phone ever since it dropped, stays in rotation. But I only play it when the freaks out.
Rich Kidz feat. Trouble, “We So Deep”
This is every house party, every skating rink in Atlanta. This is high school Tony Shhnow. I got so many twerks to this song. All I can think about is just hot, sweaty…a steamed basement, weave sweated out. Those were the days. Somebody getting head by the koi pond. Somebody getting head by the green transporter (those green boxes in them neighborhoods). This brings me back.
Lil B, “Suck My Dick Hoe”
It makes me feel alive.
