Young Thug “BUSINESS IS BUSINESS” Album Review

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS

Young Thug

• Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
• Date: 23 Jun, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Track(s): 15
• A Young Stoner Life Records/ 300 Entertainment release, ℗ 2023 Elektra Entertainment Group, Inc.

Young Thug, the celebrated rapper and songwriter, has triumphantly returned with the release of his latest album, “Business Is Business.” This is his first album after the successful “Punk,” which was released in October 2021. “Business Is Business” highlights Young Thug’s versatility and distinct style, with an excellent list of guest musicians.

Famous collaborators on the album include Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Gotit, Yak Gotti, Travis Scott, Bslime, and Fun.’s Nate Ruess. The album promises an entertaining and diverse musical journey, showcasing Young Thug’s artistic growth and boundary-pushing originality. Young Thug’s “Business Is Business” is especially significant because it is his debut project after facing legal issues.

Album Cover Art

In a black and white shoot, Thugger and his YSL associates, all dressed in black suites, are seated in a single row facing the judge’s and defendant’s benches, while Thug grimly stares back at the cam.

Tracks and Features

The whole grandeur of Thugger’s wavering, screeching voice has returned. He is rapping as though his life is in danger. However, it has a shaky beginning.

Opening the album with what should have been a throwaway R&B verse from Drake’s “AM/PM” series, “Parade on Cleveland” sounds out of place. Then, a phone rings, but it’s not one of Drake’s ex-girlfriends; instead, it’s the same automated voice that started Drakeo the Ruler & JoogSzn’s jail tape, “Thank You For Using GTL.” Young Thug starts his album out with chuckles and jokes, just like Drakeo did. When Thug’s verse is mixed poorly and ends up closely resembling Drake, the hilarity rapidly turns to dread.

However, lapses are few and far between, as one would expect from an artist who has released 29 albums, mixtapes, and EPs. Thug’s rockiness comes back with “Gucci Grocery Bag,” which wanders into Chance the Rapper’s “Hot Shower” territory, placing digestible, radio-ready rhymes over an unforeseen jovial beat from Aviator Keyyz. “Money on the Dresser” stirs up a Project Pat cover of “Wamp Wamp,” while “Went Thru It” is an out-of-place Dr. Luke production that accidentally came through the day after he and Kesha reached an agreement on their ugly, long-running legal issues. It’s less successful when compared to other songs on the project.

Young Thug isn’t running away from hardship even after spending a year in prison. He dedicates an entire song to introducing himself as “Uncle M,” also known as Uncle Murda, and the defiant expression on his face on the album cover seems to sum up his attitude. Young Thug talks about using drugs and putting hits on people. Yikes. Young Thug essentially sticks to a single tempo throughout and doesn’t try to do too much vocally. Sometimes a good Thugger is just a simple one.

The song’s driving beat in “Abracadabra,” includes some soft sections that will ease your worries while still knocking hard. You would adore the memorable hook, the heartfelt vocals, and the contagious melodies that Young Thug blasts us with. However, some people may not exactly love how haphazard Young Thug’s verses feel. Like in “Wit Da Racks,” Travis Scott shines in this song. Travis makes a few stylistic changes and expands on the tenor that Thugger set. Scott gives this song a lot of life.

The other guests, besides Drake, bring their A-games. Lil Uzi Vert performs multiple distinct flows at the conclusion of “Hellcat Kenny” to depict a tongue-in-cheek sexual adventure, while Thug sneers on every word of “Cars Bring Me Out” with Future. Even Nate Ruess, a former member of Fun., joins him on the album’s final track, “Global Access,” to protest the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	Parade on Cleveland (feat. Drake)	3:48
2	Money On The Dresser	2:13
3	Gucci Grocery Bag	2:55
4	Cars Bring Me Out (feat. Future)	3:22
5	Wit Da Racks (feat. 21 Savage, Travis Scott & Yak Gotti)	3:46
6	Uncle M	2:20
7	Abracadabra (feat. Travis Scott)	4:07
8	Went Thru It	2:35
9	Oh U Went (feat. Drake)	3:05
10	Want Me Dead (feat. 21 Savage)	3:14
11	Hellcat Kenny (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)	2:34
12	Mad Dog	3:49
13	Jonesboro	2:43
14	Hoodie (feat. BSlime & Lil Gotit)	3:35
15	Global Access (feat. Nate Ruess)	2:28

Album Theme

Young Thug fights for his freedom while trying to remain levelheaded through the trials. He also finds a way to have some fun.

Production Credits

Metro Boomin, an accomplished producer, served as the album’s executive producer. Other notable producers who contributed to the album’s production include Southside, Wheezy, FNZ, Dr. Luke, and others.

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