NBA Youngboy dropped his second album of 2023 feat. Nicki Minaj, Post Malone & The Kid LAROI.
NBA Youngboy, the musical virtuoso hailing from Baton Rouge, has once again graced us with his latest musical offering, Don’t Try This At Home. This newest addition to his ever-growing discography follows in the footsteps of his previous releases, featuring a diverse collection of tracks that can be categorized into four distinct genres: the lively piano bangers, the emotive angsty melodies, the energetic generic bangers, and the mellow laid-back tunes.
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As the album begins with a trio of tracks, namely “Big Truck,” “Mr. Gaulden,” and “Take Down,” the listener is immediately introduced to a bouncy sound that is characterized by menacing chords and Youngboy’s equally menacing voice. This sound is maintained throughout the album with similar tracks like “Choppa Docter,” “Morning,” “Trust Issues,” and “Head Shot.”
Although Youngboy has recently expressed his regrets over the violent nature of his music, the track “Grave Digga” still features a line where he raps, “I go by Youngboy. I make murder music.” This line raises a question that has been asked before – what purpose does “murder music” serve in today’s world, especially given his influence on the younger generation?
Despite this, Youngboy’s talent as a musician is evident in his ability to rap and sing at an incredibly high level. The melodic, angsty tracks on the album, such as “Out Nothing,” “Rear View,” “Hustle,” and “Off The Lean,” are a testament to this. These tracks are balanced with generic bangers like “Also By Myself” and “Homicide Pt. 2,” where Youngboy’s signature bounce is on full display. The album also features more laid back tracks like “No Lease,” “Pistol Totting,” “I Is That,” and “Like Madden.”
While there are standout tracks among all the piano bangers, the laid-back guitar track “War” and “Don’t Leave” are also among the standout songs. However, the album’s features, with the exception of Mariah The Scientist’s refreshing contribution, fall flat. “What You Say” is especially underwhelming given the star power of Post Malone and The Kid LAROI. Nevertheless, Youngboy has always been a drink that needs no chaser, meaning that he is better on his own without the support of a cast of features.
The debate on whether an artist should stick to what they know or venture out into new territory is a delicate balance that many musicians face.
In NBA YoungBoy’s latest release, Don’t Try This At Home, he remains consistent with his usual content of gritty, violent lyrics, which will undoubtedly satisfy his dedicated fan base. However, in terms of artistic growth, the album falls short.
With a whopping 33 tracks on the album, YoungBoy manages to keep listeners engaged throughout the project. While some of the beats feel familiar and repetitive, the rapper never fails to deliver dynamic and action-packed verses that detail his love for danger, his woman, money, and the reckless lifestyle he leads. He showcases a range of flows, animation levels, and emotions, keeping the listener on their toes throughout the album.
Personally, YoungBoy’s standout moments are when he drops tracks like “Out Nothing” and “Rear View,” which demonstrate his exceptional ability to blend rap and singing with raw emotion. However, when he leans into tracks like “By Myself” and “Big Truck,” it feels like he’s playing it safe and not pushing himself creatively. Despite this, the numbers don’t lie; YoungBoy’s fans continue to support this version of him, as evidenced by his streaming numbers and bank account.
While it’s not necessarily my cup of tea, I can appreciate the entertainment value of NBA YoungBoy’s music. It’s like watching a skilled athlete perform at their highest level, even if the content isn’t particularly uplifting or positive. However, I would caution listeners to be mindful of the message in his lyrics and perhaps balance it out with some more positive content.
Overall, Don’t Try This At Home is a good album, but it falls short of the standard set by Youngboy’s previous offerings. The repetitive sound that permeates the album is indicative of a lack of creativity and risk-taking. The absence of personal and musical growth is also notable. It would be beneficial for Youngboy to follow in the footsteps of artists like Offset and NAV, who explore other sounds and subject matter in their music, revealing more about who they are on a deeper level. While Youngboy has done this on occasion in the past, this album lacks the depth that his fans have come to expect from him.
