Compton-bred rapper YG — “Keenon Daequan Ray muthafuckin’ Jackson” as his mother eloquently refers to him on the intro to the album we’re about to speak about — is likely one of the leaders in at the moment’s roster of younger Hip-Hop kings, proper there together with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Meek Mill and the immensely-missed Mac Miller. Whereas Cole is a consultant of the south by the use of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Meek a proud illustration of Philly via and thru, Mac giving Pittsburgh its well-deserved props and Ok. Dot telling the story of residing in Compton from a deeply introspective and oftentimes poetic viewpoint, YG discovered a strategy to rep the West Coast from its unique G-funk gangsta rap roots from the very starting of his profession.
His platinum-selling debut album, My Krazy Life, turns 5 years outdated at the moment (March 18), and is formally out there as a 2LP black vinyl by the use of City Legends. It’s a kind of data that may look good plastered in your wall of different preserved rap data, or for a couple of good spins should you truly personal a participant to scratch it on. Both manner, there’s no arguing that My Krazy Life is a modern-day traditional. Allow us to break down why actual fast.
Earlier than you go cop the file and add it to your assortment, learn on to see why YG’s My Krazy Life was so necessary to the local weather of Hip-Hop in 2014 and the way it’s formed the rap recreation as much as today:
The Album Topped Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums & Rap Albums Charts, Whereas Additionally Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200
The week of April 5, 2014, My Krazy Life was held out from the highest spot by one astronomical album: the soundtrack for Disney’s Frozen. Granted, no person was stopping the Frozen practice, so we undoubtedly give YG cred the place it’s due. Nonetheless, he was capable of high the US High R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the High Rap Albums, the latter the place it completed at #9 on the year-end checklist. General, it was some of the profitable rap releases of 2014.
The Visitor Options Had been Phenomenal
Not solely was he capable of get rap vet Jeezy on the hit lead single, in addition to Lil Wayne on the remix, YG additionally discovered a manner to make use of My Krazy Life as a possibility to show that there was undoubtedly a unity inside his rap class. ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock on “I Simply Wanna Occasion,” Tory Lanez on “Me & My Bitch,” Nicki Minaj on the aforementioned lead single remix as effectively, Drake on “Who Do You Love?” and Kendrick Lamar on the traditional deep lower “Actually Be (Smokin N Drinkin)” had been all examples of that. Whereas pleasant competitors is at all times within the ambiance, these MCs supported and rocked with one another heavy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN4upVaDFFs
The Album Helped Put DJ Mustard on the Map
Granted, DJ Mustard had been producing hits way back to 2011 with Tyga’s high 10 banger “Rack Metropolis,” however his working relationship with YG can’t be in comparison with any rap/producer duo within the recreation. Whereas they went via a quick beef that has fortunately been squashed, there’s no denying the traditional songs they had been capable of create as a unit on My Krazy Life. We noticed them recreate the magic lately on “Large Financial institution” off final yr’s Keep Harmful, proving that the YG/Mustard union is a much-needed pressure in Hip-Hop for almost all of us that love a great G-Funk-laced membership banger.
My Krazy Life Proved YG Might Characterize the West Coast As a Solo Power
Having a decent rap crew to fall again on undoubtedly helps elevate you up the ranks in Hip-Hop, which is why we give YG much more cred for having the ability to navigate up the charts dolo. Whereas his contemporaries had teams that vary from TDE and A$AP Mob to Dreamville and even Younger Cash, YG held issues down on his personal below his 4Hunnid imprint, which operates as a file label and vogue model alike. The chief of his personal pack, for positive.
The Common Reward of “My Nigga”
As controversial because the title is, no person can deny the takeover of the rap recreation that “My Nigga” had on Hip-Hop and music typically. An authorized quadruple platinum hit, the tune additionally known as “My Hitta” made it to the highest 20 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 (#19 peak place) and garnered YG two BET Hip Hop Awards, together with “Greatest Collabo, Duo or Group” alongside Jeezy and Wealthy Homie Quan plus recognition for the coveted “Monitor of the 12 months” that was awarded to DJ Mustard for manufacturing. Even at the moment, drop that monitor and watch the room go loopy.
Glad 5 years to My Krazy Life by YG! Store the brand new 2LP vinyl launch proper now over on City Legends, and tell us your favourite tracks off the venture over on our Fb and Twitter.
