Compton rapper YG consistently landed at the top of the charts with a sound that was West Coast through and through. Fifth studio album My Life 4Hunnid continues YG's reign with a lean collection of songs heavy on classic 808 beats, notable guest features, and YG's own effortless, California-bred flows. The cameos on My Life 4Hunnid include frenzied bars from Lil Wayne on "Blood Walkin'," Tyga coming through on the ready-to-party energy of "Rodeo," as well as spots from newer-to-the-game rappers Gunna, Calboy, and Lil Mosey. The most immediate and exciting moments of the album, however, are those when YG goes it alone. The appropriately titled "SWAG" is a full-force display of hyperconfident rhymes paired with a sauntering instrumental that supports them perfectly. "FTP" is an anti-police-violence protest song that was released previously and seethes with righteous anger, continuing the spirit of many songs from rap's history chronicling the conflict between corrupt law enforcement and marginalized communities. YG is best when he's in his comfort zone of fluid, sunny flows stretching out over slow-riding beats with enormous basslines. Attempts at pained, emotional rap-singing on the Lil Tjay-assisted trap beat of "Hate On Me" or the acoustic guitar-led "War Scars" serve as a nice stylistic detours, but My Life 4Hunnid is at its most satisfying when YG is in the spotlight delivering the synthesis of old-school production and updated charisma that defines his style.
© Fred Thomas /TiVo