Cletus Strap releases ‘rappers suck.’ album – New hip-hop from Cletus Strap

Los Angeles rapper Cletus Strap officially releases his new album rappers suck., out now via Tan Cressida Records. The full project arrives following the previously released singles “chilli” and “nonchalant” featuring Earl Sweatshirt accompanied with a video directed by Aida Osman (The Hawk, Rap Sh!t, Random Acts of Flyness).

Blending satire with cultural critique and taking inspiration from the skate brand Droors’ iconic 1993 “Ravers Suck” t-shirt, rappers suck. captures the most transformative period of Cletus Strap’s career yet. Executive produced by Earl Sweatshirt and Cletus’ first official release signing to the label’s roster, the album offers a direct response to rap music’s current timeline often dominated by clout, algorithms, and snippet culture, poking fun at commonalities without standing outside of them. Across eight tracks it includes guest features from Earl Sweatshirt & VIP SKYLARK, alongside production from Laron, Omari Lyseight, madmax4800 and Cam The Chef. Cletus’ experiences with evolving friendships and relationships amidst learning what it means to build a sustainable music career have informed his new journey in moving away from glorifying negativity and towards music that still feels gritty but carries a different, more positive perspective. The attitude hasn’t disappeared, priorities have simply changed.

Speaking on the project’s title and overarching themes, Cletus says, “There’s a divide in hip hop between creativity and technical skill. It’s highly commercialized but somehow culturally niche and sacred while globally influential. Because of the accessibility and illusion of effortlessness, there’s a lack of respect for rap as an art form. Rappers distancing themselves from the title, calling themselves “artists” instead, is contradicting the plight.”

He’s clear that the point is more about respect and collective contribution to the effort of a release, as opposed to an all out diss. “I really wanted to poke fun at the superficiality of these narratives. This is me owning the title and taking the heat that comes with it. On this project I didn’t make any beats, shoot or edit the videos. I’m just the rapper.”