Young Thug can be hard to define; his vocals and fashion choices vary dramatically. Yet with his latest album release, he seems to be taking steps toward legibility.
NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe chats with him about this.
1. His lyrical style
Young Thug doesn’t often write his own lyrics. Instead, his style of singing along to records brings out emotion and personality that shines through, shaping how his music sounds. This vocal approach hasn’t just made Young Thug stand out; it’s helped shape its sound too.
Young Thug has released an impressive output since being born in 1992: 19 mixtapes, three EPs, 21 singles, two compilation albums and one studio album – quite an achievement for one so young! While his music has evolved throughout his career, fans generally recognize his sound. Fans tend to divide his career into distinct “eras,” each distinguished by different aesthetics or subgenres.
One such mixtape was 2016’s Barter 6, an introspective and darkly themed production centered around gang-related themes. Its title refers to a trade system in which rappers exchange drugs for merchandise; an increasingly common practice among Atlanta rappers. Over time, violence in Atlanta’s rap scene has escalated, and police units monitor social media and even have special units dedicated to tracking rappers’ works.
Young Thug embraces his violent lyrics in his lyrics; he talks about life in Jonesboro South housing projects where he played football and met Jerrika; as well as drug use and violence that was seen there.
Slime Language 2 features many tracks about his relationship with Jerrika that range from an intense banger to the more subdued “More Than a Moment.” Furthermore, an unexpected yet endearing testament of devotion titled “Constipated” round off this album perfectly.
Young Thug may not pen his own lyrics, but that hasn’t stopped him from reinventing the game. Speaking to i-D, this revolutionary rapper revealed that instead of writing them down on paper, he prefers freestyling; believing this unique way of performing makes his style all the more striking.
2. His flow
Young Thug has become known for his distinctive musical flow. He uses creative inflections, catchy adlibs and high-pitched vocals to add character and vibrancy to each of his tracks, which makes them fun to dance to or sing along to. Furthermore, his rapid-fire delivery adds energy and vibrancy.
He has used his unique flow to craft some of the most memorable songs in hip hop history, collaborating with notable artists like Drake, Future, Camila Cabello and Childish Gambino as well as releasing albums such as Business Is Business and Slime Season 3.
Young Thug has proven his production abilities with some of hip hop’s biggest hits like “Stoner” and JEFFERY, creating his own imprint called YSL Records, already one of the most respected labels.
He uses various sounds and genres in his productions, with Caribbean and reggae music heavily influencing many of his beats, giving them their signature sound. Furthermore, synthesizers and electronic instruments add an ethereal quality that gives his work its futuristic sound.
Even though some of his earlier music may seem outdated, later releases have been warmly received by fans. His style has evolved over time and now incorporates different sounds and genres.
In 2019, he’s expanded his horizons through acting and clothing lines while maintaining his position at the top of charts despite pandemic lockdowns and other obstacles.
Young Thug’s most iconic track is “Digits.” Beginning with an atmospheric instrumental that suits its theme, then Thug starts rapping about taking risks and spending money using his fast rhythmic flow that perfectly complements Latin-influenced music. Additionally, Ariana Grande and Pharrell Williams join him to perform this song which features Thug’s high-pitched voice to further complement their high-end singing voices.
3. His production
Thug’s production skills are one of his greatest assets as an artist, creating beats that are both creative and familiar – producing beats that feel both creative and familiar all at the same time. He’s adept at mixing multiple genres together ranging from trap, reggae, pop, hip hop etc. His best songs showcase his creative inflections, humorous adlibs and catchy hooks; his incredible sense of rhythm helps create an exciting atmosphere within his music!
Thug has proven himself an indispensable collaborator on tracks produced by other artists as well, featuring on Camila Cabello’s musical hit “Havana” and Childish Gambino’s Grammy-winning song, “This Is America.” Recently he collaborated with Drake on their hit single “No Issue,” which reached #1 on Billboard Hot 100 chart; also co-directing commercial mixtapes alongside Future and other rappers.
Young Thug’s production stands out in this song from his catalog. It includes an impressive list of guest artists such as Ariana Grande and Pharrell Williams. The instrumental is jazzy with Latin undertones that add funky hip-hop sound. Young Thug begins slowly vibing to the beat before picking up speed as it builds, his high pitched flow complementing both beat and other artist’s high vocals perfectly.
Notable elements of this song include Young Thug’s use of an excerpt from Wu-Tang Clan’s Creepshow as a sample, which serves to underscore his unique brand of creative sampling and make his beats memorable.
This exciting song would make for the perfect club or day party jam, featuring an infectious beat and heavy bass line to add weight and dimension. Rae Sremmurd and Nicki Minaj provide added energy, adding extra punch to this thrilling track.
4. His lyrics
Rap is more than beats and flows; it’s an outlet to express personal experiences and worldviews. Young Thug has used his lyrics to gain notoriety and gain a dedicated following. Some of his best songs carry deep meaning while others may be more playful; regardless of tone, his words remain captivating and relatable.
Young Thug has made no secret of his romance with Jerrika Karlae and it shows in his music. He often refers to her in his raps or rhymes – whether telling her she’s his favorite woman or telling her he will do anything for her – making his devotion clear in every release and his expressions of affection always distinct and creative.
Young Thug showcases his creative and relatable lyrics beautifully in “Pick Up the Phone.” Its jazzy instrumental complements Young Thug’s high-pitched flow perfectly, making this an infectious tune fit for any day party or celebration.
Young Thug may have earned himself a reputation as an aggressive and uncaring individual; however, he’s actually quite gentle at heart and loves helping those in need. In fact, his foundation helps children with mental disabilities.
Thug has long been revered as an excellent collaborator, appearing on hits by other artists like Camila Cabello’s hit single “Havana” and Childish Gambino’s Grammy-nominated album This Is America. Additionally, Thug has contributed his talents to several chart-topping mixtapes like Super Slimey and Slime Language 2.
Young Thug had long been making rap music, yet 2019 marked his breakthrough when his debut album “So Much Fun” reached mainstream success. 2021 brought us Punk; both albums showcased his talent as an artist with diverse tastes in music; these records highlighted both Young Thug’s unique rap style as well as lyrics that addressed struggles and anxieties facing modern black America.