Crueger
| Crueger | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 Released | October 31, 2023 | |||
| ⏳ Length | 21:32 | |||
| 🏷️ Label | 10K Projects | |||
| 🤑 Producer |
| |||
| Che chronology | ||||
| ||||
Buy this album Crueger (EP) or listen to it on amazon
Crueger is the third extended play (EP) by American rapper Che, released on October 31, 2023, through 10K Projects.[1] The project is noted for drawing heavy inspiration from the drill music of Chief Keef, blending distorted bass, rage-rap elements, and Chicago drill-influenced flows into Che’s developing sound.[2][3]
Background
Following the release of Closed Captions, Che began experimenting more with drill-inspired production and aggressive vocal delivery. The title Crueger references a darker, horror-inspired alter ego, drawing parallels to the horror film character Freddy Krueger. The EP marked an evolution in Che’s style, shifting from raw SoundCloud experimentation toward more fully formed, thematic projects. Che would first confirm the project’s existence and its title in an interview with BoxBoys.[4]
Musical style
Crueger has been described as a fusion of rage rap, drill, and experimental trap, marked by its heavy use of distorted bass, rapid hi-hats, and layered synthesizers. The EP showcases Che’s shift toward a denser, more atmospheric sound, moving away from the minimal, lo-fi beats of his earlier work.[2]
It has also been noted for its Chief Keef-inspired aesthetic, borrowing from drill’s raw intensity while expanding into more experimental and electronically layered territory. This blending of rage rap, drill, and avant-garde trap positions the EP as both a homage to Che’s influences and a distinctive exploration of his own evolving sound.[2]
Before Crueger
| Before Crueger | |
|---|---|
| 📅 Released | October 11, 2023 |
| ⏳ Length | 4:50 |
| 🏷️ Label | 10K Projects |
| 🤑 Producer |
|
Buy this album Crueger (EP) or listen to it on amazon
To assist with the project’s promotion, on October 11, Che would release Before Crueger, a 2-track EP to hype fans up for the release of Crueger. It contained two tracks, "Japan" and "Tony Tony", which introduced listeners to the sonic palette and themes that would be expanded upon in the full project. Both tracks circulated widely in the underground scene, gaining traction on SoundCloud and social media platforms.
A dual music video for both tracks was released on YouTube. It presents the two songs in sequence, blending contrasting visuals. The video also marks as Che's first collaboration with NoahSoCold as his director.[5]
All tracks written by Chase Mitchell.[6].
| "Before Crueger" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Japan" | CXO | 2:30 |
| 2. | "Tony Tony" | CXO | 2:20 |
| Total length: | 4:50 | ||
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 6.5/10[2] |
Upon release, Crueger received a mixed to positive review from Pitchfork. Reviewer Mano Sundaresan described the EP as “a maximalist maelstrom of frothy hi-hats and hazy synths,” praising Che’s ability to expand beyond the minimalism of his earlier work into a denser, more atmospheric sound. Sundaresan highlighted the contributions of producer Natecxo, noting that the collaboration pushed Che’s music into “wall-of-sound territory” where drill influences and orchestral textures collide.
Specific tracks such as “Sayso” and “Busan” were singled out for their ambitious, chaotic production. “Sayso” was described as a speaker-shaking anthem with organs and bass dialed to overwhelming levels, while “Busan” was noted for its disorienting blend of blocky low-end and glitchy, filter-heavy breakdowns.
However, Pitchfork also criticized parts of the EP for leaning too heavily on homage. Songs like “Gah Damn” and “Call Me” were described as sliding into “straight Sosa karaoke,” echoing the influence of Chief Keef without fully capturing his charisma. Despite these shortcomings, Sundaresan concluded that Crueger demonstrated Che’s ambition and capacity to carve out a distinctive voice within the underground rap landscape.[2]
Track listing
All tracks produced by CXO & Che, except where noted.[7]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ok Den" | 2:11 | |
| 2. | "Sayso" | 2:08 | |
| 3. | "Busan" | 2:17 | |
| 4. | "Batman" | 2:33 | |
| 5. | "Gah Damn" | 2:03 | |
| 6. | "Right Now" | Che | 2:22 |
| 7. | "That's My Type" | Che | 2:29 |
| 8. | "Badu" | 2:15 | |
| 9. | "Call Me" | CXO | 3:11 |
| Total length: | 21:32 | ||
Sample credits
- "Right Now", contains an uncredited interpolation of "Macaroni Time", performed by Chief Keef.
- "That's My Type", contains an uncredited interpolation of "I Don't Know", performed by Chief Keef.
- "Call Me", contains an uncredited interpolation of "Can You Be My Friend", performed by Chief Keef.
References
- ↑ Crueger by Che on Apple Music, 2023-10-31, retrieved 2025-09-04
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sundaresan, Mano. "Che: Crueger EP Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ↑ Sundaresan, Mano. "Che: Crueger EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ↑ BoxBoysLive (2023-09-02). Box Boys Full Stream W/ Osamason, Che, Wolffacejoey, & more!!!. Retrieved 2025-09-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ che (2023-10-14). che - Japan / Tony Tony. Retrieved 2025-09-04 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Before Crueger / Che / Credits, 2023-10-11, retrieved 2025-09-04
- ↑ Crueger / Che / Credits, 2023-10-31, retrieved 2025-09-04
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