Album Review: Young Thug - So Much Fun

Atlanta-based rapper Young Thug dropped his first official album, So Much Fun, on Friday in honour of his 28th birthday, and despite it being his first official album, the rapper has dropped an immense amount of music. 

With 18 mixtapes, three EPs, a compilation album and several guest appearances, including an “Old Town Road” remix with Mason Ramsey, Young Thug has made a name for himself in the rap world, and is furthering that with So Much Fun.

Young Thug has never been a traditionalist. He’s unafraid to differentiate himself from the mainstream, sacred rap sound, all while still having high regards in pop culture. Thugger’s power to create melodies with dynamic beats and real chord progressions is what makes him such an asset to the mumble rap industry.

The rapper began receiving mainstream recognition in 2014 with singles ‘Stoner’ and ‘Danny Glover,’ as well as his appearance in Rich Gang’s ‘Lifestyle.’ He continued to draw attention with his three installments of Slime Season mixtapes, which include viral songs such as ‘Digits,’ ‘Power’ and ‘Thief in the Night.’ Since the release of Barter 6 in 2015, fans have begged Young Thug to release his debut, but Thugger and his labels avoided the landmark until now. 

“If you not having fun or in a fun mood, don’t even play this album,” Young Thug said during an interview with No Jumper in July.

So Much Fun opens with ‘Just How It Is,’ which showcases Thug’s ability to not waste a single bar. Thugger also features artists such as Future, 21 Savage, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert and Juice WRLD to add even more appeal to the album.

One of the hardest beats of the album is on ‘Sup Mate’ featuring Future. Future’s bars along with Thug’s “yeah, yeah” adlibs to begin the banger is an iconic sound. Thug then drops tough lyrics, “Red wings, red bottoms, I’m a f------ devil (Yeah, yeah) / 20 tennis chains on, not no Ric Flair medal (Woo, yeah, yeah) / I done gotta run it back, you heard what Gunna tell ’em / Put my diamonds in a bowl, that look like Fruity Pebbles.”

‘Light It Up’ is enrapturing from the start, and with Thug’s easy flow, the song’s repetitive chorus and its fast beat, this song is one of the highlights of So Much Fun.

Featuring Lil Keed, who’s been influenced by Thugger, ‘Big Tipper’ has an incredible flow from the start. As soon as the Southside and 808 Mafia tag comes in, every Young Thug fan knows what’s up. The way Lil Keed comes in under Thug’s vocals to kick off his verse has such a major father-son of mumble rap vibe, as well.

‘Mannequin Challenge’ featuring Juice WRLD, has a mind-blowing beat from the start, with Thug attacking the beat with his flow. The brilliant use of the xylophone noises sounds similar to Famous Dex’s ‘Pick It Up’ featuring A$AP Rocky, and the loud, almost siren-sounding background instrumentals give off old Lil Wayne vibes, but nonetheless Juice really isn’t playing with the track’s tough lyrics.

Furthermore, Thug snaps on ‘Jumped Out the Window’ with lyrics about running from the police over a rattling Super Mario-inspired beat, and it’s a storytelling track of the album.

Young Thug didn’t disappoint with So Much Fun. The title describes the album full of unrelated songs with incredible producing, effortless flow and talented artists perfectly.

Reviewed By: Frank Tremain