It has been some time since we heard from Young Thug, but the US rapper is back to delight his fans. After time out of the music scene, and on the back of his last EP On The Run, the Atlanta native has returned with So Much Fun, his first official studio Album.
Executive produced by rapper and producer J Cole, the album features a collaboration with Cole and Travis Scott titled “The London” which was produced by T- Minus and climbed to #12 in the Billboard singles chart. Alongside these two, Thug has also worked with Roddy Rich, 21 Savage and Gunna on the album, with several different producers to create this winning showcase for the icon and trendsetter.
The 25-year-old birthed a new type of eccentric sound and subgenre that took a little while to grow on many. It may have not been a sound we had been used to but definitely one that has grown on our ears. As well as his music, Thug, real name Jeffrey Lamar Williams is also known for his no limit sense of fashion, wearing exactly what he wants regardless of labels and criticisms creating his own fashion brand back in July.
Originally titled GOLDMOUFDOG, the new title of So Much Fun was only revealed by Young Thug in a podcast interview on No Jumper, hosted by Adam22, which he announced had been changed on social media. This album is one where he accepts and enjoys his mainstream success without taking any risks and it proudly matches his aesthetics and talent.
His previous mixtapes Barter 6 and Jeffrey were a mix of romantic gestures and animalistic impersonations. With his new album there is no apparent direction. “There is not even a point to the songs,” he said in an interview with No Jumper. “All of the songs are like f***ing parade music. It ain’t no storylines to it. This s**t is all about fun. If you’re not having fun or even in a fun mood, don’t play this album”.
The playlist consists of fire tracks that each have their own expression and journey. “Just How It” introduces us to the album with an introspective tone. The track sees Young Thug elaborating on his rap star status and the effects that it has on his busy and demanding lifestyle.
With a further 16 songs, highlights include “Sup Mate” featuring Future, “Bad Bad Bad” featuring Lil Baby and “Surf” with Gunna, just to name a few. Lacking any real narrative, the album survives on Thug’s playfulness and laid-back flow providing a new freshness which doesn’t restrict the trap melodies of the rapper, from its vitality.
With 18 mixtapes, three EPs and a compilation album with several front-line guest appearances, including Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” remix with Mason Ramsey, Young Thug has made a concrete name for himself in the rap sphere.
So Much Fun received a generally positive reception. Fans on twitter expressing their excitement for the album naming it as their ‘top 3 albums of 2019’ and that the artist has ‘taken his artistry to another level’. Thug has never made music that does not need too much scrutiny as his creativity cannot be contained to one particular style or genre.
Despite the various collaborations, the album was pretty much about the artist and his personality. This may not be his strongest album lyrically thus far, but it is an expressive, light and fun piece of work, led by tracks that become party anthems easily, leaving room for it to be enjoyed and making it a perfect end to the summer.
Young Thug’s So Much Fun is out now via 300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records, purchase it on iTunes here and stream it on Spotify below.
Words by Feliciana Lumona
