Blac Youngsta often toes the line between innovation and caricature Migos have become afraid to experiment, afraid to let down their newfound pop core. Through the process of commercialization, both the Memphis and Atlanta trap scene have become formulaic, in blatant and subtle ways alike. But in context of Moneybagg’s often disarmingly unique music, they make perfect sense. On paper, this gang of characters may seem out of place. Instead of fretting about landing a chart-topper, Moneybagg Yo teased the album with a revelation of its ambitious roster of features: Future, Kodak Black, YG, Jeremih and J Cole. However, the landscape of streaming has changed significantly over the past three years and the concern for a lead single seems to have dwindled. Unlike Gates, Yo didn’t have a “Really Really” or “2 Phones” heading into his debut. And, as it turns out, these string of projects were indeed all in preparation for his long-awaited debut album: RESET. Despite minimal press, he’s continued to amass a legion of regional fans, much like Kevin Gates prior to his studio debut, Islah. He continued to build on this new foundation with this past year’s 2 Heartless - an entertaining, if bloated, sequel to what may be his best mixtape - and Bet On Me - an EP-sized appetizer that may be one of the most fun listens of the year. With a solid grip on his distinctive tonal inflections and a newfound fearless approach to experimentation, Yo has been able to deliver multi-faceted projects such as 2017’s Heartless and Federal 3X. This has led him to embrace a more melodic approach to his music, decidedly distinguishing himself from the aforementioned stars of his region. However, in recent years, as he’s worked with Gotti, collabed with NBA Youngboy, and enlisted features from the likes of Lil Durk, Quavo, Young Thug and Gunna, he’s exhibited a chameleon-like capability to play off any given style. This middle-of-the-ground amalgamation of multiple styles has often got him lost in the shuffle. His tone is similar to Young Dolph’s, but his content isn’t nearly as autobiographical. Moneybagg’s raps aren’t as gritty as a Three 6, nor are they as celebratory as Blac Youngsta’s.
As we continue to see the lingering impact of regional acts such as Three 6 Mafia, and the current sphere of influence projected by those such as fellow CMG signee Blac Youngsta, or independent role model Young Dolph, Moneybagg Yo appears to be intent on carving out his own lane of confident, motivational hip-hop. And in the past two years, since signing with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) in the fall of 2016, the tireless rapper has revved up in an extraordinary fashion, releasing half a dozen mixtapes and collaborative projects brimming with effective world-building that places him in conversations alongside some of the regions most talented contemporary artists. Moneybagg Yo delivers on the promises of his recent projects with a star-studded debut.įor nearly a decade now, Moneybagg Yo has been an understated staple of Memphis hip-hop.