YG made artistic strides throughout 2016 with the scathing protest track "FDT," fully realized second full-length
Still Brazy, and intermediary mixtape
Red Friday. A clutch of unapologetically hedonistic singles in 2017 kept the Bomptown rapper visible and also pointed toward the approach taken with his third proper album. More functional than creative,
Stay Dangerous recalls -- with a 2018 perspective -- the predominantly callous spirit of the early mixtapes. Looming highlights such as the
DJ Mustard co-productions "Suu Whoop" and "Too Cocky" put new twists on the tried and true form. "Bomptown Finest" is a kind of G-funk blues number that closes out the album as a major payoff for listeners eager to hear
YG rap about his complex life outside "Pussy Money Fame." ~ Andy Kellman