I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when I heard YG’s debut album My Krazy Life.  Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson better known as YG dropped his first full length album under Def Jam/ CTE records March 18th.  Crediting Young Jezzy and DJ Mustard for their production talents.

Bravo.

West Coast born and raised, YG the 24 year old emcee has definitely proved himself as an up and coming artist. Fuck it, he has arrived.

“I think the West Coast is an extremely legendary place, but at the same time I think there’s a new breed of guys, YG included, Kendrick included, guys that are just writing their own chapter.” Drake tells Complex.

“To actually come in and see a nigga really dedicated with a body of work and come from a real place and a real lifestyle, ’cause I’ve seen him out there, that’s a whole ‘nother feeling,” states Kendrick Lamar.

The plaudit doesn’t stop there. Jeezy describes his album as “Timeless, not just what’s hot today or what’s good for tomorrow. 10 years from now, it’s still a classic album.” I agree Jeezy.

What was most surprising about the album, was the kid’s diversity. I heard a couple of his hit singles, but I didn’t know what to expect from the full album.

The West Coast King of Ratchet Rap, told Bet.com that he has spent the last three years honing his craft as an emcee and writer. I can personally see his growth from his 2011 hit “Toot and Boot it.” He had ok lyrics in the song, but his confidence and presence was not developed yet.

Today, you can see the maturation. Like on the successful single, “My Nigga”  This gangsta rapper’s confidence is now emerging, he comes in riding the beat almost singing. On the club banger “Right Left” DJ Mustard creates a beat reminiscent of the great DJ Mannie Fresh’s “Back that Azz Up”.

“I’m giving you that realness in every line, even my party shit,” he promises. “Mother Fuckers that ain’t heard my music think I’m a single artist, but even my singles is real life shit, you feel me? Even if it’s some party shit, that’s a reflection of where I come from, the culture of the West Coast, we known for gang-bangin’ and partyin’.”

I feel you boo. Songs like “Meet the Flockers” and “1 AM” are so real and so street, I found myself laughing and thinking I could actually see this nigga hitting houses licks.  Nigga shit is a common theme throughout the album.  Even his artwork on the album cover is photo’s of him doing typical nigga shit in the hood. And I love it.

There are songs like “Sorry Momma” featuring Ty Dolla. YG paints a very realistic picture, of the young thug stealing his mother’s last few dollars, but makes a promise that those days are over.  “Sorry Momma, I know I aint shit / I know I lied a lot, I know I aint slick / Them last few dollars, yeah that was me who stole em out your purse / Yeah I know it hurts.”

Or on the song “Me and My Bitch” he talks about not being able to trust a bitch, because his main bitch cheated and left him feeling all embarrassed. “She text me like I love you /  I text her back like fuck you.” Po’ baby. Just listening to the album track by track you feel like you are living his life through his art of storytelling.

 

Most new artist would love the opportunity to have a big name co-sign them in the way that Young Jeezy did for YG. But the Young G knows that it takes more than a co-sign to survive in the game.

“I’m just telling you on some artist shit, it’s on you. You can’t blame the next nigga for your success or failure. It’s either on you, or you on some little boy shit. This is a grown man business, so you gotta act accordingly.”

Well put, boo. With a solid album to back him, YG is riding high on the west coast as well as the East, and all the hoods in between.

YG 4Hunnid !! And What I Said It.