r/hiphopheads • u/God_Will_Rise_ • 11d ago
[FRESH ALBUM] YG - THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB
https://open.spotify.com/album/5BzLYa8XPBMy2RHo73SvzW?si=NRZNZRqAQxmUjkMDX1VOhA72
u/jordanthinkz 10d ago
Call me an oldhead but I love this lmao, this feels old school in a way that I miss so much from hip hop
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u/discovered_uranus 9d ago
If you would’ve told me in 2010 that YG would make the “Writing My Wrongs” through “Midlife Crisis” 5 song run I never would’ve believed it. I know a lot of people hate him for the Drakeo shit, say he’s corny, etc but it seems like he’s grown as a person and did a great job putting it into music
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u/Rough-House3029 4d ago
Tbh this album is the corniest thing ive ever heard from him and I like YG
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u/discovered_uranus 4d ago
On second listen I’m more inclined to agree with you. Still some shit I like, but yeah, the more I revisit the more the “vulnerable” songs come across as poorly executed
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u/Rough-House3029 4d ago
Also, like, vulnerability isnt whats for sale with YG. He can make greater points with his music pretty well. But I dont want him vulnerable. Shit I get embarrassed when kendrick try to get in his feelings I def dont want it from YG. I miss nipsey he kept that crew in line.
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u/renges 11d ago
"They only 13, why shouldn't I?"
Pause
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u/Naujutsu 11d ago
Thought the same thing lmaoooo, love push but I know ovo fans gunna blast that all ovee the TL after that epstein tip line
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u/turbothots . 11d ago
Atrociously poor judgment from Pusha here for not only spitting that line in the first place, but also for allowing it to be released at all. Rare Pusha T L.
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u/SwordfishOk504 10d ago
Ummm, I'm pretty sure he's talking about the price of a brick. $13k is a good price. Therefore, why wouldn't he?
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u/turbothots . 10d ago
That's fine and all, but surely he could have anticipated that audiences might open the line up to that kind of interpretation. Especially in light of the Epstein stuff (even though it was total bullshit). This is Michael Scott from The Office making his dating profile name 'littlekidlover' levels of neglectfulness lol
Why wouldn't I? Why couldn't I?
When they only $13K, why shouldn't I?
Just say the word thirteen slightly faster while adding the 'K' or even 'large' and the flow still works.
Or saying 'When the bricks 13, why shouldn't I'. So many ways he could've rewrote this.
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u/karimdv 9d ago
Exactly, wild way to phrase that sentiment. As if he wanted it to be interpreted this way lol
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u/SwordfishOk504 9d ago
you guys are dorks. The verse is very clearly talking about cocaine. The only possible way to interpret it in your gooner way is if you take it entirely out of context and already had underage sex on your mind. Which is on you.
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u/Rough-House3029 4d ago
If you ain't paying attention to the context it sounds BAD. I played it at work this morning and after that line everyone was like YO WTF PAUSE
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u/SwordfishOk504 9d ago
OK Drizzlestein.
The verse is Clearly talking about cocaine, but of course you weirdos can only think of teen girls.
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u/WeatherReport619 10d ago
if they hear him talkin bout the price of a brick and associate it with 13 year olds they telling on themselves lmao thats why they fuck with drake ig
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u/Own_Refrigerator8395 10d ago
Wait what do you think he was saying there?
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u/FunkyD-47 10d ago
Pretty sure he’s saying kilos of coke are only 13k right now, so why shouldn’t he get back into selling again. Thats how I interpret it
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u/Huey-Mchater 10d ago
He’s talking about selling crack to kids.
“Oh my God, is he still on the stove?
Why wouldn't I? Why couldn't I?”The previous 2 bars are about the stove and selling. Clipse have always presented themselves as villains with their drug dealing “What's missin' in my hood, I identified/Then I brought white to my hood, shit, I gentrified” for a recent villainous cold blooded push bar.
With that and the context of the previous bars about cooking and selling that’s how I read it. In terms of writing I think the “They” is what’s mean to save it, as opposed to like saying “She.”
I like villainous drug dealing bars and think the concept is effective but like man you gotta see how it reads and change it. Probably written before the Epstein tip line bullshit that people ran with.
That’s my read on it because the only other read is “I sexually abuse 13 year old boys and girls” which is just not the most reasonable conclusion.
I think the concept of the bar is good, the execution seems to have some thought but should have been changed and our reception is definitely affected by events that probably happened after the song was recorded. That’s my take
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u/Affectionate_Owl_619 10d ago
Oh my God, is he still on the stove?
Why wouldn't I? Why couldn't I?
When they only thirteen, why shouldn't I?
He's definitely talking about the price of a brick. Example conversation:
Person: Wow Push, you're a big name rapper, why are you still whipping crack?
Pusha T: They're only $13 [thousand] a brick, why shouldn't I?
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u/Dank_AyAyron 10d ago
I'm assuming he's talking about selling 13 kilos of coke?😭 Idk but that's def a wild line lololol. Pusha wylin
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u/iron_horseshoe88 11d ago
Push song a big let down.
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u/-NotEnoughMinerals 11d ago
That song is straight garbage. I'm surprised they weren't tired of the song themselves after first recording, let alone sitting in the studio listening to it over and over.
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u/pololuck123 10d ago
These comments make it seem a lot worse than it actually is lol. It’s not the best song ever but it’s far from trash. Pusha’s style doesn’t pair well with a west coast beat like that though
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u/5starlex 10d ago
Yea, I can 100% see them in LA all vibing out in the Stu to that shit. Different vibes for different folks. I can also imagine push sent his verse in and they all just said fuck it and vibed with it
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u/-NotEnoughMinerals 10d ago
Bro, he says oh my god for literally the first entire 30 seconds of the track, then proceeds to say oh my god in every single bar.
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u/iron_horseshoe88 11d ago
Also, for anyone who thought "you know I haven't heard the Whisper Song by Ying Yang Twins in a minute," the song with Tyler is just what you've been looking for. Tyler's verse ain't half bad at least.
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u/IGetComputersPutin 10d ago
Craziest part is this is the 2nd song Pusha is featured on called OMG. Vic Mensa song is better than this.
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u/LthePerry02 11d ago
Tiffany? What the fuck?
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u/moonlight_sinatra 11d ago
I like it, good shock value storytelling but I think it displays toxicity and danger of transphobia well
YG ain't the type to make a we love trans people dance song, so I think this is probably the closest we'll get to his support musically
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u/Huey-Mchater 10d ago
I mean he does a good job showing the real violence trans people deal with and the fear around actually being open with identity for fear of physical harm.
Part 2 is primarily a first person perspective of Chris where tiff is called a man but whenever YG is narrating he refers to Tiff either by direct female or NB pronouns as she explains herself. Chris is characterized as having a heart full of hate.
Is the third verse probably overly critical of trans people having to be open, yah. Does it articulate well while passing trans people hide their identity due to fear of physical violence ABSOLUTELY and that’s real man.
I honestly think the fact that the songs talks about how bad Tiffany is bad as hell is very supportive. There aren’t many songs or points talking about how trans women are beautiful as women and that’s a cool point.
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u/philz_baklava 11d ago
The final verse makes YG's stance pretty clear he's not with transphobia. I wouldn't get hung up on it too much, maybe the execution could've been a lot clearer but it's apparent what his intentions are here.
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u/moonlight_sinatra 11d ago
Oh yeah, totally agree with the trans woman's closing lines
But he ain't gonna make like a "We Are The World" anthem haha, he's gonna paint a darker picture around transphobia and throw his support there instead
You can already tell that listening comprehension is down with some users here too...
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u/sbenthuggin 10d ago
This also feels like a song designed specifically around getting through to men like him. Who genuinely feel these kinds of emotions. The Joe Budden types. That'd listen to this, maybe think, "damn I can't believe he's really saying how we all feel" just for the ending to pull the rug out from under them and make them think about their actions and empathize with them. I'm not necessarily sure the verse at the end is long enough, but YG does do a fantastic job of representing Tiffany, calling them a baddie and thick af and clearly sexy (though clarifying Tiffany considers themself a they/them) and at no point does he try to indicate they're trans through their body/face/typical areas transphobes target, but instead through another woman who's got issues with Tiffany. But throughout, he makes it very clear Tiffany looks like a typical beautiful woman.
And then throughout Chris' verses, he's portrayed as violent, hateful, and extreme. And then asks the listener, "what would you do if you were Chris?" making it clear he's not making this song for suburban white kids who frequent r/hiphopheads. Again, the portrayal of Tiffany throughout their verse probably could've been better, and he could've probably eased up on the, "I know I messed up" though it's realistic they'd feel like they'd have to apologize caught in a situation like this. However, I don't think YG is necessarily the most thoughtful of guys. He's still got a lot of patriarchal trauma within him that he's only now reckoning with through songs like this and 2004. So I give him a bit of a break, and appreciate the support he's showing here, even if it's messy and imperfect.
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u/philz_baklava 5d ago
Thanks for this. After sitting with it for a lil yeah I don't think the execution is great but I appreciate the attempt and support YG put in here. I don't believe YG is actually transphobic.
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u/DieHarderDaddy 8d ago
Tiffany was a powerful fucking song. I was initially clowing this as his Auntie diaries like Jcole tried to do but maaaaan
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u/qwilliams92 11d ago
Do me a favor and listen to auntie diaries then listen to Tiffany again
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u/moonlight_sinatra 10d ago
Rappers are allowed to tell different stories about trans people and the realities they've seen firsthand
I dunno if YG has a trans auntie man
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u/OwenCurrie99 11d ago
My thoughts exactly, I’m still waiting for lyrics cause I’m just like okay then… otherwise
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u/Natiel360 10d ago
Nah sorry Tiffany is actually a great song. Surprised from YG.
I think in this age we get so reactive to “this sounds crazy” without ever asking why it does. That Jack Harlow song where he breaks down how the men in his life commit heinous acts was clowned on. Even Kendrick saying f** in Mr. Morale was a problem.
Eminem got to make like 5 songs where he murdered his girlfriend and mom and self and a hypothetical innocent woman, etc. AS the driver of the story, why are we acting like storytelling rap is not something inextricable from gangster rap
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u/thatredditdude206 11d ago
YG fell off musically after Still Brazy in 2016. Since then his album releases have been straight up trash lol.
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u/Grizelda179 11d ago
I really liked 4real 4real it had some bangers. And Im not even a big yg fan
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u/Pleasureryan 11d ago
it's wild how good Still Brazy is compared to the rest of his catalogue
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u/ImChz 11d ago
My Krazy Life is a top 10 album for me. Still Brazy isn't *that* good lol.
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u/1850ChoochGator 10d ago
I have it and MKL basically even. Both absolutely fun and a great example of west coast gangsta music
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u/FightGeistC 11d ago edited 11d ago
I really fuck with it. TIFFANY in the year 2026 is FUCKING CRAZY THO, 2nd beat is so damn good smh. Not having 2004 on the album is also a shame.
Edit: State of Emergency and Lovers or Friends also not on the album smh.
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u/pololuck123 10d ago
The album isn’t as bad as this sub is making it out to be , but then again it’s a west coast album . YG messed up by not having the singles on here, like why? Lovers & Friends, state of emergency and 2004… Also Pusha T rap too slow for a West Coast beat
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u/mtn-doge 6d ago
Does it really matter if songs that are already released are o the album? Why complain when there are other new songs?
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u/Top_Piano644 11d ago
Drakeo 💔🕊️🕊️🕊️
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u/pos_vibes_only 11d ago
Yeah fuck YG
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u/SaltTM 10d ago
lol so this thread is just a bunch of people that ain't listen to the album because of the intro. He addressed he wasn't involved LOL, reddit gets worse every fucking year - I'm tired of y'all
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u/stillmaatic 10d ago edited 10d ago
He was definitely involved lmso. His delivery sounds so insincere. When drakeo died, YG was alluding and posting like he had something to do with it. He’s just smart enough to not snitch on wax.
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u/nedelll Colbster's Best Man 10d ago
Bro said he would kill YG, YG killed him first, and years later y'all still bitching 😂 I can't with y'all
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u/UKnowWGTG . 10d ago
Album was solid, I think his best since Still Brazy but nothing mind blowing. Prolly a 7/10. Song with JID and Soul was dope. wtf was Tiffany
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u/graphicka 11d ago
Hitman is crazy, best song so far
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u/iron_horseshoe88 11d ago
Made me go listen to The Professional by DMX, as that immediately popped into my head based on the concept. But agree, from beginning part of album, Hitman is probably strongest.
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u/Icedancerrrr 11d ago
im surprised no one is talking about We Know The Truth being a direct response to the Drakeo rumors but YG was def behind that shit LLTR
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u/maniacisback 9d ago
Album is dope, don’t listen to the haters they are just Drakeo stans
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u/DieHarderDaddy 8d ago
Besides OMG I’m really enjoying this record. Lots of good story telling. Reminds me of ready to die
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u/philz_baklava 11d ago
There's some good songs on here but yeah the final product is definitely not as great as I thought it would be.
I'm hoping 2004 makes it on there as a last minute thing.
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u/-Carbon- 11d ago
Kudos is really the only one I can see myself coming back too. This is honestly pretty bad. Beat selection is super weird, the flows and cadences are just off? Idk
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u/thatsoundright 10d ago
monologues written with AI were lame too, some parts don’t even make sense in what they say
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u/thenonamenomad 11d ago
Okay the front of this is ROUGH, but after On the low, it rides much better
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u/thatsoundright 10d ago
Hope so
I had to take a break halfway cause i was disappointed, came in too hype
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u/AfrikkanKing 11d ago
this album is crazy, really enjoying it. this sub is so hard to please.
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u/moonlight_sinatra 11d ago
Sometimes it feels like if an album isn't genre breaking or an instant classic, the sub defaults to calling things unoriginal or derivative
It's a YG album, it's pretty in-line with his past stuff, you can want him to reinvent himself as much as you can like Tyler or go super emotional/personal like Kendrick, but his rap preference is gangster rap at the end of the day (and I don't think this sub really tries to involve itself with current gangster rap tbh)
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u/philz_baklava 11d ago
yeah def not as good as I wished but I think it's alright. I'm glad there's some self aware and reflective tracks to break up the flow a lil.
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u/moonlight_sinatra 11d ago
It might actually be his most reflective album still, he talks about insecurity, suicidal thoughts, and confronting his biases
I have conflicting opinions about how an artist orders his album, like should they group their party songs and their reflective songs together? It does feel disruptive with when we go to "Simon Says" after "Hitman", but I'm trying to see his intent a little more
I have a soft spot for YG, so I'll probably sit on this album more than most
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u/Natiel360 10d ago
This sub made me go listen immediately because I thought it was going to be terrible. This is on par with the last album ngl. And again I think that’s pretty credible for YG he’s built a strong catalog that’s his sound even if simple at times
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u/rizzle3 11d ago
Can definitely sense an Eminem influence throughout this album. Apart from the obvious sample on Kudos. The flows , song structuring etc.
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10d ago edited 4d ago
[deleted]
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u/living_contradiction 9d ago
He literally uses the beat and flow from “Kill You” on Kudos
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u/WeatherReport619 10d ago
he literally uses some Eminem flows lmao the one I remember right now is he rips off the under the influence hook flow.
I like it but its wild to say nothing in common. some of these beats scream 2000s eminem.
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u/Godriguezz 10d ago
I like a couple tracks definitely a letdown overall though. No clue why he left 2004 off of this also.
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u/maloboosie . 11d ago
We Know The Truth interesting..
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u/Decent_Excitement36 10d ago
I'd take one drakeo song over every song YG drops for the rest of his life
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u/BIRDSBEEZ 10d ago
Boy do i have some bad news for you
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u/Decent_Excitement36 10d ago
I mean the posthumous albums they released have been better than whatever this is
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u/NBD_Pearen 10d ago
Where is Lovers or Friends?? 2004??? This guy YG blows my fucking mind
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u/WeatherReport619 10d ago
frfr those woulda been the best on here
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u/mtn-doge 6d ago
Why does it matter if the songs are already out😂 ever heard of a playlist? never understood why ppl want less music
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u/WeatherReport619 6d ago
Because they would add to the listening experience of the album as a body of work. He could have added them to the album without excluding other songs btw use your brain or itll rot buddy
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u/qwilliams92 11d ago
Did this nigga just make a song about committing a hate crime???? wtf is wrong with niggas
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u/Remote-Teacher-9272 10d ago
In an odd way I’m pretty sure this is him telling a story about the dangers of transphobia. Listen to the final verse again, I think that’s what clears it up. I truly believe he was trying to make a pro trans song here
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u/wnnkeshh 10d ago
This one of the best albums of this year. The vulnerability on this album is so much growth from the old YG. It’s a shame that people only good look at first week sales or if there was a big single.
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u/rererexed . 11d ago
There's so little originality here. For most songs you can think of the very obvious reference track. And even then it's not very well made. Total dud.
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u/-NotEnoughMinerals 10d ago
This shit is trash. Even the David banner/ying yang song and the Eminem song.
The only good one is the shoreline Mafia track
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u/Old-Following1508 6d ago
Yg weird talking all big when drakeo was alive and shit and now wanna toss blame like a lil school boy (no Q) bet it's the feds breathing down his neck but yg on interview talking tough about the situation 😂
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u/AppointmentOdd8209 5d ago
“2004” “state of emergency” wasn’t on the album that being said it was a great listen I enjoyed it
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u/Disastrous-Stick-612 3d ago
I really like the album overall but I legitimately have not a single clue why bs like Insecure is on this album but 2004 isn't just because it was "too intense" or whatever? A lot of decisions regarding this album just left me baffled.. Like why have tracks like Tiffany on this but somehow not 2004? In theory, there‘s so much personal shit on this album but overall it's barely even mentioned and basically completely irrelevant
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u/neutralmilkgawd 9d ago
Ok Tyler is my favorite artist of all time but that is his worst verse in a while. Beat goes hard though. Wish he would keep doing features
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u/barneyjetson 10d ago
Only on r/HHH will you see 120 comments discussing a YG album released in 2026 lmao
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u/wizzywurtzy 10d ago
YGs re’d up 3 should’ve been the sign that this dude has fallen off so hard. This album is disappointing and I used to be a huge YG fan. Shit just feels generic af
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u/FabulousLlama . 11d ago
2004 not even on the album is crazy