YG - Still Brazy

YG
Still Brazy
2016
Spotify

A lot of rappers claim to be gangsters, with very little introspection into whether they actually are. YG however walks the walk. On his debut My Krazy Life YG didn't tell the story of a drug lord or a multimillionaire, instead He told the story of his life as a Compton gangster, a piece of the bigger whole. Since then however YG's status has increased, He's been shot while recording, One of his video shoots descended into gang violence and the list goes on and on. This is the world we find YG in on Still Brazy coming to terms with stardom and musical success while still dealing with everyday gang violence. Swish provides the G-Funk backdrop for most the record and more or less nominates YG to take the throne from Snoop and Dr. Dre. YG is not as introspective as Kendrick or J. Cole instead He acts as more of a chronicler putting his real life in words rather than ideas. What really works on Still Brazy is that the G-Funk style finally gets a modern update. This album could easily have felt like a throwback or novelty, but YG is able to pull it forward and push what the genre can be. It's gangsta rap, but for 2016. "Twist My Fingaz" which has a very intentional "Hip Hop Horray Ho" vibe is the one point where the record verges on the ridiculous, but it never cross that line.

YG also has a very distinct voice, while most rappers today are leaning towards a more sing song type of delivery his is conversational. That is what makes this record such a pleasant surprise, when you first hear it you are expecting one thing but YG is able to turn you around and bring you into his fold. "Why You Always Hatin?" which features Drake and Kamaiyah is the single off the record and it is a straight up lean back dance track primed for Crip walking. You cant help but move when you hear this song and the lyrics for all involved are rock solid. Other features include Lil Wayne, Nipsey Hussle, Slim 400 and Sad Boy who all bring decent bars to the tracks they are on, but YG is clearly the star throughout the record really only letting his features orbit around him. What is the most fascinating about this album is you feel like you are really getting a look into YG's life, unfiltered. This is someone who has gone from gang violence to hip hop stardom in a very short period of time, and He is giving us a peek at exactly what that change of positions can me. On one hand you have millions in the bank while on the other someone is still trying to kill you in the studio. Hearing YG work through these issues makes Still Brazy worth it but coupled with a fresh sound takes it way over the top.

8.7 out of 10