Young Thug is officially one of the most polarizing figures in the rap game. He's making headlines multiple times a week, releasing tons of music, and whether you love him or hate him, you probably have an opinion. Few dudes have come up to be this prominent, this quick.
If there's one thing you could say about Thugger, it's that he's different. He takes that late 00's Lil Wayne craziness, cranks up the eccentricities, throws a few ATL sensibilities in there, and turns himself into weirdest rapper in the game. The story gets weirder when you realize that Birdman is backing him (and not currently in Lil Wayne's corner), and his upcoming album is called Carter 6. WTF is going on?
While we can't answer that question, we can serve you up some of the reasons why Thug has gained so much popularity. Here are Young Thug's 10 most essential cuts.
Young Thug - Danny Glover (2 Bitches)
One of his biggest tracks is a braggadocious trap banger about not one, but two ladies. He gets a little x-rated with lines like, "I fuck it, I suck it, I beat it down, then she beat me to the ceilin'" and also keeps it real with, "I just bought a Bentley and a bitch came with it."
T.I. - About The Money ft. Young Thug
A couple of ATLiens link up for a massive single. It's nothing new for T.I., but this song definitely helped Young Thug skyrocket to popularity in the past year.
Rich Gang - Lifestyle ft. Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan
This video will give you an inside look at the lifestyles of the rich and eccentric. Check Thugger, Quan, and Birdman livin' lavishly in this video, which has over 125 million views on YouTube.
Young Thug - Stoner
Like many rappers before him, Young Thug loves Mary Jane. This is his ode to the sticky icky icky.
Rae Sremmurd - Throw Sum Mo ft. Nicki Minaj, Young Thug
Thug was enlisted alongside Nicki Minaj by the Sremmurd boys. It ended up being a massive success, as you could imagine, as the disco strip club visual plays out to a modern ATL masterpiece.
Young Thug - Some More
Young Thug managed to score a beat produced by not one, not two, but three of the industry's hottest. Metro Boomin, TM-88 and Sonny Digital compiled an epic trap backdrop for Young Thug to give you "Some More."
Young Thug - Check
This one is a little chiller than most of Thugger's club-ready bangers. However, he and his crew are wildin' out all the same in the music video, throwin' money around and smoking like it's going out of style. Oh yeah, and Birdman is dancing with his shirt off...
Travi$ Scott - Mamacita ft. Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug
In what looks like a scene from Silence of the Lambs meets Boyz N The Hood, Travi$ Scott began a really dark hip hop cut. He enlisted Quan and Young Thug for a slow and bouncy banger.
Young Thug - Givenchy ft. Birdman
We're not sure how Birdman manages to "never be hungover," but he's still partying harder than seemingly anyone and he's pushing 50. Keeping young'ns like Young Thug around probably goes a long way.
Young Thug gets nice and slow on this one, allowing the piano-led beat to take him into R&B territory.
Tyga - Hookah ft. Young Thug
Tyga - Hookah ft. Young Thug
Young Thug linked up with Tyga to go in on some London on da Track production. That mix-tempo swagger made for a sexy club track, in which two of hip hop's brightest young stars strut their stuff.