11.28.2022

Video: CEO Trayle – “Craxk Flow”

ATL’s Smoothest Stepper Slows it Down For a Sax-Backed Ballad in Latest Video from His Acclaimed HH5 Mixtape, Recently Named “Best New Music” by Pitchfork

Critical Praise:

“The fifth installment of CEO Trayle’s Happy Halloween series unspools the rapper’s fears and sorrows into one of the most original rap albums of the year.” – Pitchfork

“So many rappers stay in one gear for an entire song, but Trayle’s music constantly shifts the rhythm, keeping your ears perked so you don’t get lost as he speeds up. He goes from biting punched-in threats and making singsong taunts to an ominous, slithery flow that leaves you looking behind your shoulder to make sure he isn’t talking about kicking in your backdoor.” – Pitchfork

“The hunger in his rapping turns every song into a boxing ring to prove himself victorious.” – The FADER

“Atlanta’s CEO Trayle is going hard in 2022. The rapper’s earned quite the reputation in the rap game over the past few years. Projects like the Happy Halloween series have cemented him as the one to look out for. “ – HotNewHipHop

“On his recent single, “OK Cool,” Trayle takes a conversational approach, making it clear that—no matter what anyone else in his life is on—he’s still up.” – Audiomack

The Video:

Even the most indomitable horror villains have their weaknesses, and for a brazen bogeyman CEO Trayle, that Achilles’ heel is love. Taking a breather from his haunting of Atlanta, Trayle shares his new video for “Craxk Flow,” a standout from the acclaimed HH5 mixtape released on Halloween. Bolstered by Trauma Tone’s seductive saxophone production, “Craxk Flow” finds the artist who calls himself “Mr. Back Door” recounting his struggle with romantic consistency. Though he regales his love interests with lavish gifts, he falls short when it’s time to commit, but with good reason: “Remember I had that b**** that stayed on Gresham Road/And I had that other b**** that stayed on Candler Road/And I had that other b**** that’s raised up by the 4/Told that b**** be careful with my heart cause that s*** broke.”

Directed by Never Panic Films, the video for “Craxk Flow” sees Trayle cooped up at the coziest secret lair of any supervillain in recent memory. Whether he’s sitting at the piano with his crimson Celine jacket draped over his shoulders, or kicking up his Dior sneakers on the table of his dimly-lit dining room, it’s clear that the suit-clad saxophone player soundtracking Trayle’s gloom from outside of his window is insufficient company to warm his ice-cold heart.

“Nightmares & Dreams” is the second video from HH5, which received “Best New Music” accolades from Pitchfork, the crowning achievement in a busy year for CEO Trayle. It arrived 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 HH5 in the books and much more music to come, CEO Trayle is primed to take over the rap game.

Watch “Craxk Flow”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tl9NxULyQ0

Stream HH5: https://ceotrayle.lnk.to/HH5

HH5 tracklist:

Sincerely Yours
I Love You But…
Mathematician
We So Young
Nightmares & Dreams ft. FastMoney Ant
Tired Of Me
Chokehold
Spare Me
Alter Ego
Craxk Flow
Unusual
Closed Captioning
Pass It On
Chain Smoking
Swim
Red Rum
What You Know
Took Some Time

Please contact Michelle, Kevin, or Chris or more info.

The Background:

CEO Trayle has a rare sense of vision. The prolific Atlanta-based rapper and CEO/founder of 1080 Trademark Records sees the music industry the way a great point guard does a basketball court. He understands cause-and-effect, knowing how dropping one frosty, minimalist single will shape the perception around his next project. But occasionally he exceeds even his own expectations. His breakout single, “OK Cool,” a deadpan rebuke to an ex, earned more than 60 million streams, even though Trayle didn’t foresee it as a blockbuster when he made it. The momentum from that track, and its Gunna-assisted remix, paved the way for The Collection, a thrilling, visceral release that showcases the 28-year-old MC’s multi-genre fluency.