đ¶ Young Thug - "Again"
Trap music isnât my number one forte, but my playlists are filled with enough of it to know something special when I hear it. Cue Young Thug. The Atlanta rapper is currently the talk of the town due to recent RICO charges that I wonât get into here. But whichever side of the legal discussion one falls on, there is no debate when it comes to his artistic vision and talent.
The flow is impeccable. As is the delivery, cadence, and overall confidence. A GQ article once compared Thugâs performance to a Jackson Pollock painting. The comparison isnât too far fetched. His lyrical style is one that encourages different interpretations and sometimes, itâs nearly impossible to pin down exactly whatâs being said. But that again, is brilliant.
My hopes are that this doesnât come across as blatant promotion, but instead, as some friendly advice to check out a great artist. There are certainly hallmarks of the genre present, but aside from those over-analyzed topics from the general public, there is a rawness and even slight vulnerability to his style. From showcasing his unique fashion sense to proudly putting his dreams on display, he exposes himself to scrutiny and constant criticism. To be sure, none of it has stopped him. A final point to make is his dedication to his roots. Indeed, so much so that his music label is filled with lifelong friends that others in his position mayâve all but forgotten about. Itâs commendable no matter your musical tastes.
Whatâs heartbreaking about his brilliance is the fact that itâs now being overshadowed by things out of his initial purpose. Legal charges with wrongfully-attributed characteristicsâa narrative which he never intended on writing. I imagine many peopleâs hopes are that years from now, music aficionados looking back to our time will remember Thug for the right reasons.
Like his interpretive lyrics, there is always at least two sides to every story. With his trial still months away from completion, there remains a glimmer of hope that all of this will be put in the past at some point, and that he will reclaim his status as a cultural icon and be remembered for what itâs all about at the end of the day: his music.
Among his catalogue is todayâs song: âAgain.â While the first verse is brought to us courtesy of another Atlanta nativeâGucci Maneâhis part is lip-synced by Thug before the irresistible hook kicks in. Favorite line?
And I'm real bright like a poet.