YG intended to release his fifth
Def Jam album in April 2019, but after the murder of
Nipsey Hussle, he pushed it back, and appended the tribute he delivered at the memorial for his "brother from the other color." Its cover inscribed with "In loving memory of Nipsey Hussle,"
4REAL 4REAL would be the most subdued
YG album even without that stirring reflection. Allusions to physical aggression are reduced and usually dealt with some humor. In "Bottle Service," outfitted with a fearsome
Mustard and CuBeatz production,
YG casually dismisses a foe with "You can be the next
50 -- take these nine shots." Later, in "Go Loko," he'll "put you in a chokehold," but it's meant as an enticement as he addresses his "mamacita" while he sports a sombrero. Only "Stop Snitchin" threatens gunplay in purely venomous terms. Elsewhere, he's rhyming at a conversational volume about "that heartfelt shit," narrating the downcast "Keisha Had a Baby" (realistic if not tragic like
2Pac's "Brenda's Got a Baby"), and rapping the turnabout side-piece blues in "Play Too Much." There's some good, tipsy fun in "Do Yo Dance," low-slung West Coast-via-Midwest funk in the vein of
Still Brazy highlight "Twist My Fingaz," but then
YG shows a little maturity -- and signs of creeping teetotalism -- by speaking lowly of recreational drug use on other tracks. A more significant development is the increased quantity of roles for women. Authoritative rapper/singer
Kamaiyah and hook specialist Rose Gold are on two tracks each, while Day Sulan temporarily takes over with "Her Story," a plaintive and riveting standout. ~ Andy Kellman