Pink Siifu, a rapper whose roots trace back to Cincinnati and Birmingham, first gained attention by collaborating with underground producer Swarvy. Together, they channeled the experimental energy of LA’s iconic but now-defunct Low End Theory club, where left-field Hip-Hop and electronic beats thrived. Siifu quickly became a pivotal figure in the underground rap scene, building connections with trailblazing MCs like Navy Blue, Ahwlee, MAVI, Earl Sweatshirt, and Maxo. Through collaborative projects such as B. Cool-Aid with Ahwlee, Black Sand with AKAI SOLO, and Fly Siifu with Fly Anakin, he consistently defied traditional genre boundaries. His solo work pushes this even further, embracing a kaleidoscopic range of styles.
From 2018 to 2022, Siifu released a trio of groundbreaking albums—Ensley, NEGRO, and Gumbo’!—showcasing his versatility. These projects spanned from boom-bap nostalgia to noise-punk experiments and soulful ballads reminiscent of Erykah Badu. When speaking about the contrast between Ensley and NEGRO in a 2020 interview, Siifu explained:
“Ensley is a project that I made with my family, my mom, my friends, and my community—not the broader community of Black oppression, but what I’ve experienced firsthand. With NEGRO, I’m trying to tell the story of the Black human—not just the Black man. I wanted to explore the stories of Black women and everything they go through.”
By framing NEGRO through a punk lens, Siifu crafted one of the most compelling albums of its time. His 2022 album Gumbo’! shifted gears, offering a feast of Southern funk jams and Soulquarian-inspired grooves that felt as rich and flavorful as its title implied. Now, Siifu teams up with fellow Cincinnatian Turich Benjy for IT’S TOO QUIET..’!!, an album that ponders his evolving sound. The project debuted with a high-energy freestyle on On The Radar, featuring Benjy and nu-juke trio HiTech. Their track, “WYWD..’!?,” melded glowing house synths with frenetic handclaps, setting the tone for an album steeped in danceable, electro-infused beats. True to Siifu’s signature style, IT’S TOO QUIET feels like a vibrant house party where artists come and go, each adding their flavor to the mix. The album features contributions from the rising Cincinnati collective GKFAM, including Peso Gordon, VonBeezy, Conquest Tony Burson, and Rich Park—artists who previously appeared on Gumbo’! and joined Siifu on his “4ThaFolks” tour. The album’s impressive roster doesn’t stop there, boasting collaborations with Nick Hakim, WifiGawd, Vayda, VCR, Lance Skiiiwalker, Big Rube, Nelson Bandela, Tyah, and Kamilah Dende, among others. Siifu’s production team is equally stellar, with names like Tony Seltzer, Harry Fraud, Groove, Apollo Rome, DJ Harrison, and Swarvy lending their talents. Despite the star-studded lineup, Siifu remains focused on substance. The album delivers blown-out basslines, shimmering cosmic synths, bubbling soul grooves, and apocalyptic beats reminiscent of YoungBoy at his grittiest. These elements combine into a texturally rich listening experience that defies categorization. IT’S TOO QUIET is a joyful, genre-hopping collection of rap songs that blur the lines between underground experimentation and mainstream appeal. As both creative director and star, Siifu seamlessly alternates between commanding the spotlight and letting his collaborators shine. The result is a powerful testament to his artistic vision and his ability to draw the best out of those around him—a declaration of his musical prowess and enduring influence in alternative rap.