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YG - Blame It On The Streets

YG wasn't someone who really tickled my fancy, I'm way too hip hop hipster to listen to silly YG and his gangsta ways. Obviously that goes against every bit of musical common sense as you got to try different styles and artists, once you do then you can judge. I picked up 'Blame It On The Streets' after it being announced that it was the soundtrack to a short film by the same name created by YG. That in itself is pretty cool, here's a Tree Top Piru from Compton who has already taken the world by storm with his rhymes, as well as a few movie cameo's and now he's dropped a short film (which can be viewed on the d-low here)

You can't hate on creativity, so here I am warming up to hear the best of YG 4hunnid. Now anytime your project kicks of with a hyphy live performance, you stand up and take notice. YG picked the live performance of BPT in the Bay, because it was apparently mental. You get a sense of what's to come, it's obviously not as crisp as the rest of the project but it definitely serves its desired purpose.

The next 3 tunes are straight gangsta. If you peep my review of Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons, you'll see that I love the story telling, but that storytelling is from a strictly New York perspective, one that GFK does super well. While lacking in the skill and craft of Ghost, YG offers something similar as he takes you on a trip to Compton, throwing up B's and offering some perspective and reflection in his rhymes that I love. Whether it's the Bicken Back Bein Bool remix with OG bloods Mack 10 and DJ Quik, Blame It On The Streets or Ride With Me, you get a pretty clear about what it's like. I'm always down to pretend like I'm a gangsta mofo, or pretend that I know what it's like to have someone to snitch on you. 

Pardon for repeating but the next 3 tunes are then about the bitches. If they had a positive tinge to them then I would use the term females, or ladies, but it's straight get money fuck bitches (it really is, there's a song titled G$Fb). They all have a salute to history with Me & My Bitch loosely covering Biggie's jam by the same name and If I Ever throws back to memories of Kurupt spitting "if I ever gave a fuck about a bitch, I'd always be broke, I'd never have no motherfucking endo to smoke". It's a fine line to walk, re-using ideas and lyrics as you can easily be a biter or you can simply pay homage and add your twist. I think YG and his friends do the latter.

At this point, I thought it was another straight OG bacon project that combined all things gangsta with some flow, story telling and a concept. But it took a turn, a turn for the good with the final two jams - O.M.M.I.O Freestyle and 2015 Flow are progressive and leave you wanting more and eager to see want Mr G has in store for us next year. The freestyle has YG spitting acapella, spitting raw rhymes that are clever and witty yet ruthless. 2015 Flow is the best example that YG can definitely spit and the video matches the thoughts that the jam gives you, YG is much more than a gangsta rapper. He does that very well, but I reckon there's gonna be a few more pages to this book.

My Bang Up Banger is Ride With Me. The beat is fire with keys that creep you out, drums that have your head nodding and performances on the mic that have you amp'd. Whether it's amping you up to go out a split a few wigs or simply go workout like a beast, it gets you up and ready. Dope verse from Nipsey Hustle as well.

What is it? It's a soundtrack, keep that in mind. It definitely stands alone as a musical project and you'll be able to enjoy listening to it without having any idea that there's a bit of a film that goes with it, but there's a concept and purpose to it. That only makes it much more impressive so big up big up YG.