Between 2009 and 2013, YG released five mixtapes: 4Fingaz, The Real 4Fingaz, Just Re’d Up, 4Hunnid Degreez, & Just Re’d Up 2. There was also a joint mixtape with Ty Dolla $ign and Bobby Brackins called Young and Hung...over.
YG made immense strides as an artist during this stretch, becoming one of the most passionated and polished bard of the streets on the west coast.
As of June 2014, three months after he released his acclaimed debut My Krazy Life, he declared that he was done making mixtapes. Damn. Pour one out for Mixtape YG and revisit 10 of his best tracks in the gallery ahead.
Mixtape: 4Fingaz (2009)
“Pussy Killa” possesses a simple, percussive, and danceable groove that was representative of the LA-based jerk movement, which was very much in vogue at the time. YG is not particularly lyrical -- he hopes the girl in question will be down for a “fuck fest” -- but the level of horniness he is able to convey purely through tone has rarely been seen this side of David Banner’s “Play.”
“Toot It & Boot It”
Mixtape: The Real 4Fingaz (2009)
The song that earned YG his deal with Def Jam, “Toot It & Boot It” was actually the creation of Ty Dolla $ign, who produced the song and suag the hook. And beyond the hook, “Toot It & Boot It” has not stood the test of time particularly well. Given YG's progression as an artist since "Toot It & Boot It," there’s no way it would have made the cut on Still Brazy.
“I’m Good”
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up (2011)
On “I’m Good,” YG updates the jerk aesthetic to suit his gangster lifestyle with the help of an icy clean beat by DJ Mustard. Mustard plucked his signature “Mustard on the beat, ho!” tag from a stray YG line at the end of the song.
Keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from THA GOD DJ Quik in the music video.
“Bitches Ain’t Shit” feat. Tyga & Nipsey Hussle
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up (2011)
YG’s music used to be significantly more humorous and light-hearted than it is now. Five years ago, YG had purely hedonistic motives. By now he has refined his approach, and he reserves humor for sharp, witty jabs rather than letting it permeate the basic essence of his music.
“Blunted”
Mixtape: 4Hunnid Degreez (2012)
YG doesn’t typically dwell for long on his relationship with weed, but he veers in that direction over a blurred summertime beat on “Blunted.” This song emanates heavy Kush & OJ vibes and is great for actually getting blunted. Not sure why this rapper opted to bestow himself the nom de guerre "Shitty," but he delivers a respectable verse regardless.
“Cali Livin”
Mixtape: 4Hunnid Degreez (2012)
Despite overtly sunny lyrics and a picturesque music video, “Cali Livin” hints at dark side that looms within the glory of living in California. The song marks a turning point for YG in his evolution from purveyor of carefree party jams to full-fledged gangster rapper.
“I’m 4rm Bompton”
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up 2 (2013)
“I’m 4rm Bompton” bears a close resemblance to “BPT,” the trunk-rattling G-funk opener on My Krazy Life. Both are intoxicating, unflinching portraits of hood culture with turns of phrase that succinctly encapsulate YG as a dyed-in-the-wool gangster turned rising rap star. “I’m buying choppers like tennis shoes/ and I hate doing interviews.”
“IDGAF” feat. Will Claye
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up 2 (2013)
YG rides a saucy Mustard beat with ease on his give-no-fucks anthem “IDGAF,” released one year before MKL. The song features a verse from Will Claye, a long jumper who earned two medals in the 2012 London Olympics. He rocks his hard-earned medals in the video and attacks the mic with a swagger rarely seen from athletes who foray into the vocal booth. Damian Lillard of the Olympic Village.
“You Broke” feat. Nipsey Hussle
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up 2 (2013)
DJ Mustard's detractors tend to argue that his sound has never evolved. But as "You Broke" and many songs on this list demonstrate, his sound is more maximalist and far clubbier now than it was a few years ago.
“You Broke” is a no-frills Bay-influenced blapper that layers a comical whistle over a booming bassline, giving the beat a humorous flavor that meshes nicely with YG’s jeers at broke bois.
“Ima Real 1”
Mixtape: Just Re’d Up 2 (2013)
Between an unexpected Drake cameo and YG's powder blue suit, "Ima Real 1" is probably one of YG's best music videos. He briefly ponders what his life would be like if he had 100 dicks. But for the most part he stays firmly grounded in reality.