Memphis Tennessee, a place that might not be brought up often in rap conversations when talking states/territory but has multiple rap legends or legends in the making that come from there. Moneybagg Yo is an addition to the family that is the latest to get fame in a line that includes 8 ball & MJG, Project Pat, Juicy J, Yo Gotti, Young Dolph, Producer Drumma Boy and more. In this long line of lineage, it’s safe to say Memphis is headed in the right direction with Moneybagg Yo and the path he is on. With 5 projects out between 2017 & 2018, I think it’s safe to say that he is continuing the consistency that artists from the south have had on lock since Wayne and Gucci.
Collaborations are a big part of Hip-Hop these days, where artists are doing more projects together these days than before, it seems as if there are less groups and more duos. This duo between Moneybagg and Youngboy is the latest to have trap music lovers happy with the two doing a tape called “Fed Baby’s” together. Being a fan of multiple artists and wishing they did music together is becoming less of a wish and more of a reality. The two having great chemistry, and while making music some might deem as similar they do it in different manners and are able to make every song exciting and never get bored of it. (Although this is not the album I am reviewing everyone should go listen to it anyways!)
The third rapper to complete the trio would be Kevin Gates, a Louisiana rapper like Nba Youngboy and very talented, and who I have written an article for already. https://medium.com/@KingAlers/from-bars-to-bread-winner-kevin-gates-luca-brasi-3-41d8c7b2ccab
Gates and Moneybagg Yo do not have a full-length project together but they do have multiple songs out, the latest which is called “Federal Pressure”. They have collaborated multiple times on each other’s album and a dream album between the three should be in the works and maybe include Lil Baby & Gunna, another duo on the rise.
The latest project from the Memphis rapper does include Gates of course, but it also includes a feature many would not assume they would see in J. Cole. “Reset” shows off his skill, and a skill many southern rappers have and that is the ability to flow so seamlessly on the tracks as if they were born to do this. He seems to be gaining his sound more and more and knows how to distinguish himself yet be able to give the fans what they want at the same time. Song such as “Oh F**k” which is the first one out the gate packs a big punch with the bass that we all love, this also includes “Okay” ft. Future and the title track “Reset. In the midst of the bass we get slower more melodic songs as well with “In Her Voice”, an introspective song that details Moneybagg Yo dealing with a young lady and her having trust issues that many, if not all could relate to. “Lower Level” ft. Kodak Black and “Fall Down” ft. Kevin Gates which adds a nice touch of acoustic guitar follow suit and is a nice change of temp/pace for the hard-hitting album.
A stigma of southern rappers is that they are not lyrical enough and don’t speak about anything but their Patek’s, Rollie’s, chains, and don’t add anything of substance. If someone says that to you, they are simply not listening to them and are prejudging the music before they give it a chance. They also get a bad rap for not being real hip-hop which is also false because what may be real to them may not be real to you. Southern rappers have a certain way of getting their message out, it may not be the most lyrical, but it may be the most meaningful, when people speak from the hear they never look for the biggest words to use, instead they speak from the hear and you hear the pain in their voices. New York may have found their way to do both in a way people like, but this is why I love southern rap. It’s very raw and straight to the point no faking it. They are not bad for rap they are a part of rap, my whole 4 years of high school I listened to Gucci not for the lyrical ability but for the real lyrics and for the struggle they had to go through. Listen to the song “Industry on this track and Moneybagg Yo depicts the business and bad people in a negative light, it’s very relatable and has been said multiple times but this is just a new take. Don’t just dismiss what you don’t like until you give it a chance and have a real reason to not like it. Until then bump it and rap to it till it breaks the bass in your car because it’s so dope.
STANDOUT TRACKS
- “OH F**K”
- “IN HER VOICE”
- “FALL DOWN” (FT. KEVIN GATES & RVSSIAN)
- “INDUSTRY”
- ★ “7EVEN” (MESSAGE FROM TUPAC)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
THE REST OF THE ALBUM CAUSE THE WHOLE THING IS GREAT!
