BUSINESS IS BUSINESS by Young Thug | Album Review
A check-in on the rapper currently enduring a lengthy RICO case
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Amongst the turmoil of his current RICO case, the birth of a new meme or unphilosophical interpretations of “street code” by white Twitter heads (hiding behind rap pages) and Wendy’s employees are at an all-time high. Without the sole authorization to explicitly confirm or deny allegations, particularly regarding his former right hand in Gunna, fodder runs amuck. Assembling a superteam of features and producers, Thug aims to reclaim his throne from behind bars as time passes him by — a slick reminder he is the inspiration for the new generation.
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS opens with “Parade on Cleveland,” a melodic Drake verse which feels obligatory amongst the rumors he was slated to release an album before he began touring again and pushed back by the power of King Slime. “Business is business, y’all owe me this time,” feels like both a favor and Thug using Drake as a mouthpiece to deliver his out loud statements, as he hides within the shadows of the justice system, to speak on loyalty. Followed with, perhaps, the most cliche and predictable usage of a collect call before his ramblings of money and sex over a Metro beat, Thug repeats “Business is business,” alluding to the idea that despite his incarceration, nothing has changed regarding his status.
However addicting a Metro Boomin produced track can be, its significance is immediately dwarfed by the lackluster product thereafter. The following three songs lack any real substance beyond the immaculate flow and eccentricities of Young Thug’s eclecticism. You can only get so far without saying anything, unless you’re Travis Scott of course, whom makes an appearance with his usual feverous energy on “Wit Da Racks” and ad-libs on the following “Uncle M,” the latter of which is by far the most enticing track of the album. In similar fashion to his Black Portland days, Thug quietly glides along, as you might have guessed, another Metro beat. Delivery is sharper here, allowing the intricacies of the beat, from the Halo-esque harmonization to Scott’s ad-libs to really shine alongside a track that feels way too short.
As if his current run wasn’t evidence enough, each track Metro produces stands out amongst the rest — each song that might catch your ear is almost guaranteed to be produced by him. With projects with JID and Future still to go, he might be the producer of the decade off this run alone. As such, his ability to elevate the artist he produces for is practically legendary. “Oh U Went” and “Want Me Dead” are indicative of his ability to save albums destined for failure. Without his presence here, Thug would be scrapping the bottom of the barrel.
For example, the “Hellcat Kenny” beat is atrocious and lacks any real effort with an annoying, uninspired, repetitive backtrack with an even less desired theremin section. This feels like one of those turn-it-in last minute additions for credit rather than a good grade. I try to find the good in anything I review, but this song is just terrible. It failed spectacularly, but something is better than nothing, right?
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS is a desperate attempt at remaining relevant despite the hype a successful project would have in the same situation. Despite the inspiration one would expect Thug to have, this selection remains largely uninspired as it slugs out a slipshod product that is largely salvaged by Metro’s Midas touch. Young Thug could be playing it safe in the midst of trial, but a bad safe project is worse than any raucous, experimental album you could scrap together during trial. Punk, despite its deficiencies, far outweighs the impact of BUSINESS IS BUSINESS solely off of its ability to express actual emotion rather than a plain conglomeration of meretricious statements and persistent braggadocio for the sake of it.
I hate how lazy this attempt at an album was because Thug is normally particular in his craft. It feels like the assembling of the feature Avengers can only do so much without adequate access to both significant studio time and the truer nature of Thug’s thoughts. At its worse, this selection feels forgettable and at its best, a “Hey,” text sent at 3 A.M. — a shot in the dark that oftentimes misses despite its potential. Business is business but it is certainly not business as usual in this iteration.
Rating: 4.9/10
Favorite Tracks: Uncle M, Parade on Cleveland, Want Me Dead
