YG is one of the new faces in West Coast hip-hop, along with acts like Schoolboy Q, or Jay Rock. There are other acts I could mention, a couple of which actually appear on this LP, but they simply don't make music I enjoy. To be honest I'm actually surprised I enjoyed this release at all because while the single "My Hitta" was a pretty big guilty pleasure last year, I wasn't expecting anything substantial from YG in a full length capacity. And to some extent, he doesn't, however the reverence for classics like Doggystyle and The Chronic is so strong, I can't help but bop my head and have a good time.
This albums best moments come when YG embraces the jokey, g-funk esque raps that Snoop Dogg made so well back in the day. The tracks "I Just Wanna Party", "Do It To Ya" and "Me And My B****" are great examples of West coast hip-hop at it's most carefree and laid back, even though YG is rapping about never leaving the house without his tool, or a cheating girlfriend.
The Black Hippie collective is also pretty prominent on this LP providing verses on two of the best tracks on the whole album, especially "Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)" where Kendrick Lamar stops by for a pretty decent verse.
While I do enjoy listening to this LP, I can't say that it is anything revolutionary. It has plenty of potholes, like the Drake featuring track "Who Do You Love?" which just doesn't click with me at all, or the closing track here that tries to bring some semblance of remorse to YG's character, but comes off as hokey since he spent the last forty minutes talking about all manner of debauchery with little sympathy.
But that is kind of the point, this LP isn't trying to hard to be anything serious, and that's okay. I think this album will be pretty great for some Summer time listening when I'm in the mood for it.
7.2/10
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