NBA Youngboy- Colors Review
It is hard to keep up with new artist and for those, you have to stand out and have a voice to create something new. NBA Youngboy is an artist who is a bind between old school and new school and he has an impact on the culture. You do not have to be a teenager in high school to enjoy his music. His wide variety of fans is getting broader and with his female fans, he carried more high school and teenage hearts than Justin Bieber before he hit puberty. Only difference is I rather listen to Youngboy before Bieber anyday because I can vibe to Youngboy. The ratchet style of rap is a big part of the south because it represents freedom. Nonetheless, Kentrell Gauldon AKA NBA Youngboy been creating a buzz since 2016.
The first time I heard Youngboy was on AI Youngboy which dropped in 2017. During that summer, you had your Moneybagg Yo’s and Migos and it took me a minute to get drawn to their music. Listening to creativity is apart of art because without it, nothing would be created. The voice that he has sounds distinct and it creates a sound that people can be familiar with. Most of all, most kids out there are reminded of old Lil Wayne when they hear his music. There is no similarities or difference but one thing they have in common is that during that time, Lil Wayne created a buzz under 18 same with Youngboy before he got big into the industry.
On Jan 24, 2022, NBA Youngboy drops his anticipated mixtape, Colors. This is special for his career because there been a time where people wanted to hear bars and NBA Youngboy delivered those well. Talking about struggles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Other rappers came from there such as Webbie & Lil Boosie who managed to keep a buzz going, even when they are not recording.
As we dive deep into this masterpiece, we will dig track by track why each song is special and how NBA Youngboy can step on many levels with tracks that relate to what is going on with his life at the moment.
- Long Live- NBA Youngboy keeps it gangster on the intro where he is telling a story. He spits pain on his music as he raps “If you know he ain’t gonna die for you, what the fuck you think, he gonna give it his all. Put his life on the line, lose it all to you”, (NBA Youngboy, 2022) where he questions the loyalty with the people that surround him
- Bring It On- This could be a diss track towards rival, Lil Durk. This song is compared to Ether to me because this song is full of angry emotion where he questions the Leader of O’Block’s credibility.
- No Switch- A dangerous song that makes me think about how grimey the streets of Louisiana can be and how dangerous he is on the beat. This is murder music and NBA Youngboy seems to butcher this instrumental.
- Smoke One- A song dedicated to taking the stress away.
- 2Hoo- A bounce song that questions the loyalty of these woman he surrounds himself with. Learning how to trust these woman is the hard part and that is why I am single. I can relate to this song very well because her performance does not mean she is loyal
- DC Marvel- Fun song where he actually sounds like Wayne when he experimented with his singing voice
- How You Been- Country guitars where he writes his family, friends, and those he loves. The song kind of reminds me of Eminem’s 2000 hit, “Stan” where he pens an open letter to catch up with friends and family.
- Expensive Taste- When you make a certain amount of money, you end up having expensive. NBA raps about the lavish items he worked for while the others hate & envy what his sowed.
- Cage Feeling- A song dedicated to those locked up in the cage. I assume he wrote this song while he was locked up.
- Dis & That- The fun instrumental where Youngboy raps about the rumors and truths that people ask. NBA is telling those to mind their business and keep it going.
- Gangsta Feat. Quando Rondo- There collaboration’s they put out is classic. Being cohorts with one another, they can read each other very well as they trade bars.
- Know Like I Know- NBA Youngboy’s hardest track on the album where he raps so murderous. He is making a statement towards his opps warning them not to mess with him or his crew. He raps “ I do not give a fuck about no bitch, these hoes you can have them”, (NBA Youngboy, 2022) which is a clever way of saying Money over Bitches.
- Bring The Hook- NBA Youngboy is going hard to the point I feel this song is another diss track towards his rival, Lil Durk. He calls his out his opps rapping “He in Miami hiding out with his murder gang”, (NBA Youngboy, 2022) question his opps wherabouts.
- Fish Scale- A smooth instrumental where NBA Youngboy raps about dope and guns. This song must be played when you are trying to hype yourself up for a game or whatever.
- Emo Rockstar- Emo Rockstar is what NBA Youngboy is because he lives like one. He does not care what you think, he does what he wants.
- Emo Love- This song is awesome. It reminds me of his version of Lil Wayne’s 2011 hit, “How To Love” with them smooth guitars and melodic voice singing over this country beat.
- Snow Bunny- A song to them white girls or them girls moving that white girl. However you want to look at it.
- Foolish Figure- A confessional talking to his family about the trials and tribulations of Kentrell. He is talking to himself on the record about making good choices in life so he can maintain his career in the rap game.
- I Got This- The original outro where he raps to his kids and loved ones wanting them to be happy.
- Flossin- A song where you can ride to and feel like a boss. This reminds me of the old Cash Money days where people had diamonds and bling. Maybach is the ultimate vehicle towards those who want to ride clean and stunt all day.
Overall
NBA Youngboy is starting to create a status in the south where he is looked up to. In this era of southern rap, those like Young Dolph, Moneybagg Yo, & Kodak Black reach out to the younger audience very well but NBA Youngboy creating a legacy is something the culture needs.
NBA Youngboy similar to Wayne can create tales of the hood, to songs about being lavish, or just ratchet anthems. Colors is a great mixtape because it shows the younger generation that creativity speaks very clear. NBA Youngboy does it well when he dropped this mixtape because how he presents his music. Although this is a mixtape, this sounds more like an album because of how crafted and original the songs sounds when it hits your stereo. Back in my younger days, creating a mixtape that sounds like an album was the goal for good releases. This album would be monumental in the newer crowd because things change and update. NBA Youngboy caught into the times very well and I salute this project well!
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
