Aug 8, 2017

Narsh would turn in his SXN80 grave, but despite my adamant bashing in the past, Thug finally hit an album that i could get behind (and then some) with BTG. He put out a proper balance between his melodies and his rapping and cut much of the nonsensical padded mumbling that I can't get into and which had previously turned me away...

If used correctly, Thugger's voice can be incredibly melodic and sonically pleasing and he nailed it throughout. Prior to BTG I thought he was often overwhelming at times and I could only take so much in one sitting... From the opening track, you could tell that this tape was heading down a rap-calmed direction, shining a light on the sing-rap pop star, rather than on the previously predominant mumble-rap star.

Don't get me wrong -- the album still had it's fair share of shortcomings: 'Daddy's Birthday' & 'Get High' needed to be thrown out the window (DB just didn't do it for me, and despite seeing a lot of love for Snoop's verse, the guy is cooked and single handedly bin'd the latter track), the album wasn't without it's fair share of Thugger-cringe lyrics ("tryin to put my d-ck inside your panties", "ain't talkin Nicki; I'm about to have a Minaj...on my face", "pop an X pill like we Malcom", etc.), and despite it being an arguably top track, 'Do U Love Me' sounded oddly similar/familiar to a song that we've already heard (the name is escaping me atm).

That said, this was a huge step towards gaining more public traction imo. I would have really loved if this was his "freshmen album", as opposed to just another mixtape, giving way to an emphasis on this style, saving his typical rap style for his mixtapes. But I'm happy to have this regardless.

SoundsPurple placed this as their #1 2017 project of the year. I can't say I agree with it taking the cake, but it's definitely been my most-listened album of the summer/year and this thread is a long time overdue. Def giving Thugger a second look now after this and will have my ears on what comes next. Hoping his next drop will be similar in style and will continue down the balanced path of swaying at least halfway out of the mumble rap lane.