Young Thug Takes Care of Business

Grammy-nominated hip-hop Young Thug released his highly anticipated album BUSINESS IS BUSINESS on June 26 via Young Stoner Life Records/300 Entertainment

The album contains collaborations from big names such as Drake, 21 Savage, Future, and more, as well as production credits from frequent collaborator Metro Boomin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SEX!! (@thuggerthugger1)

An intriguing detail about the album cover shows the artist in a courtroom. The reason for this is because it was done as response against his opponents that weaponized his lyrics against him. 300 Elektra Entertainment Chairman and CEO Kevin Liles is a strong supporter of the Protect Black Art movement, which protects artists from having their creativity used against them in courts. This has inspired legislations in states like California, Louisiana, Missouri, and New York. In addition, it is considered “prejudicial” to use rap lyrics in court cases against artists. Liles has further advocated for this practice because it protects First Amendment rights.

“This is a movement, not a moment. The prosecutorial overreach in the case against Jeffery – a great father, CEO, and leader in his community – has awakened the artistic community to the growing attack on their First Amendment rights.”

Kevin Liles

The album opens with “Parade on Cleveland” which is a dreamy R&B tune that features Drake. It features a voicemail between Young Thug and Drake while the former was held at Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Next, “Money On The Dresser” shows the rapper flexing his expensive cars and diamonds on a drum-heavy beat.

“Gucci Grocery Bag” again follows the theme of wealth, except he claims that his diamonds are different colors.The style takes a turn in “Cars Bring Me Out” as it is defined by a flamenco-style guitar and features two verses from fellow rapper Future.

“Wit Da Racks” is Young Thug’s most ambitious track on the album as it features lines from Yak Gotti, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage. In addition, there is a nod to fellow rapper Kanye West on the first verse.

Kanye let me borrow a billion
Mediterranean by a village (Woo)
I’m surrounded by cocktails and beautiful women to kick it with (Woo)

“Wit Da Racks” by Young Thug (feat Yak Gotti, Travis Scott, 21 Savage)

“Uncle M” speeds up the tempo and is characterized by hard-hitting drums. It includes a hidden feature from Travis Scott in which if you listen closely, you can hear him rap these lyrics:

Fuck, Fuck, shit—
Sheck, Sheck— fuck shit
Fuck shit, fuck- sheck
We fuck shit
I just— shit, cut it (Ooh)
We just pour it, ‘bout to beat it

“Uncle M” by Young Thug

“Abracadabra” features Travis Scott and it references Casper the friendly ghost as a comparison to Young Thug and his diamonds.

Next, “Went Thru It” showcases the rapper reflecting on hard times such as heartbreak and depression over a haunting drum beat. The sparkly hip-hop track “Oh U Went” sees the return of Drake as they rap about their gangster statutes.

“Want Me Dead” includes a 2Pac sample in the outro and it features 21 Savage. Both musicians flex on their haters with their wealth and show them that they are unfazed with the negative attention. Next, “Hellcat Kenny” is rapped over a chill beat and it features frequent collaborator Lil Uzi Vert. The theme of the song is about the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

“Mad Dog” follows the overall theme, only that he claims that he splits his riches with his loved ones in the first verse. It closes with a haunting violin and echoing vocals.

Now if you look up under my wrist, you’ll see a bunch of racks (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Got thesе baguettes on my neck and I got my hoochie bag (Ski, woah, let’s go, let’s go, let’s get it)
Like Donald Trump on my account, I got my billions up (Swear)
First thing I did was make sure that my whole family up (Yeah)

“Mad Dog” by Young Thug

“Jonesboro” is a gospel-tinged track in which the rapper braggadociously boasts about money, drugs, women, and cars.

“Hoodie” is characterized by dark piano notes and features Bslime and Lil Gotit. Young Thug gives a shout out to Kid Cudi in the chorus.

Lastly, “Global Access” features fun. frontman Nate Ruess. It is the most experimental track of the album as it is pop-friendly. It makes reference to Young Thug’s arrest and the use of his lyrics as incriminating evidence against him. Despite this, the rapper seems unfazed and gives the finger to those that take offense to him or his words.

Young Thug not only is a force to be reckoned with in music but also in fashion. He has launched his own SPIDER brand and has collaborated with Givenchy, SPRAYGROUND and Von Dutch. He has also graced the covers of Complex, Dazed, The FADER, i-D, Interview, PAPER, Rolling Stone, V, XXL, and many more. He is the only artist who has managed to collaborate with the likes of Sir Elton John and former president Barack Obama. With the release of BUSINESS IS BUSINESS, Young Thug will not allow his voice to be silenced.

Follow Young Thug: Instagram/Twitter

Stream BUSINESS IS BUSINESS below: