Never rushed but always on time, CEO Trayle navigates instrumentals with the patience of a cobra coiling to strike. Luxuriating in an altered state in the latest taste of his upcoming HH5 mixtape, CEO Trayle shares “Chokehold,“ a new single. Languid and atmospheric, the Sectionn8-produced “Chokehold”is an ode to the various ways Trayle enjoys getting faded. The subsonic bass, rippling piano chords (plus a creeping low-note bass line), and blasts of mournful saxophone perfectly suits Trayle’s slow-moving delivery, the Atlanta-based rapper taking his time as he drifts off into his own world: “I don’t think I’m from this universe/B*tch ask me why I do the percs/I said cause they’ll never leave/Dog in my pedigree.”
“Chokehold” is the final glimpse at HH5 before its release next week, following in the footsteps of the complicated “I Love You But…,” his latest video. The latest in Trayle’s Happy Halloween mixtape series, the upcoming HH5 features some of Trayle’s most expansive production to date, with contributions from Dun Deal, OG Parker, Go Grizzly, Trauma Tone, and Trayle’s frequent collaborator Stribb, among many others. On his fifth annual holiday mixtape, Trayle keeps the Halloween theme going on his songs, using his sly wit to present himself as a nightmarish figure to haters and opps across the globe. Featuring a guest appearance from FastMoney Ant, HH5 arrives on October 31st via Do What You Love, LLC / 10K Projects.
HH5 is the crowning achievement in a busy year for CEO Trayle, arriving weeks after Vier, a four-track EP released in July alongside a Q&A with The FADER. The title of the EP translates into the number four in German, a number with mythical and historical significance in Trayle’s life–beyond being the source for his explosive nickname C4. Nine years ago, on July 4th, Trayle suffered seven gunshot wounds as he successfully fought off an attempted home invasion. Trayle survived, but he suffered emotional scars that he still processes every day. The rapper explored his trauma and expressed gratitude for the little things on his recent single “July The Fourth,” the EP’s closing track. Vier followed in the wake of Trayle’s 8-song mixtape The Collection, home to highlights like “Of Course,” the tape’s closing track. Trayle recently made a splash with his From The Block freestyle, where he performed his song “Song Cry,” which racked up over 250k views in less than one week.
CEO Trayle is following in the footsteps of his hero Gucci Mane, crafting street raps that are at once down-and-dirty and refined. The 28-year-old artist’s music found an audience, and earned praise among publications like Pitchfork, Audiomack, and many more, for his gritty bars and sinister steez. Trayle’s trajectory skyrocketed after he released “Ok Cool,” a viral hit that generated over 60 million streams and earned a remix from Gunna.
With much more music on the way and much further to rise, CEO Trayle is primed to take over the rap game.
© 2022, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
