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Rich Homie Quan & Young Thug - M.O.M. (Money On My Mind) |
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| DJ Drama – Right Back (feat. Young Thug, Young Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan) |
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| Rich Homie Quan - Get TF Out My Face Feat. Young Thug #video |
.jpg "T.I. Ft. Young Thug, Jeezy & Lil Wayne - About The Money (Remix)") |
T.I. Ft. Young Thug, Jeezy & Lil Wayne - About The Money (Remix) |
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| Young Thug feat. T.I. & Zuse - Eww Eww Eww Remix |
Background
On March 11, 2014, Young Thug & Rich Homie Quan announced a joint EP to be released in the near future. Rich Homie Quan said that his work with Young Thug is the “best collabo since OutKast.”[1] He also stated that he can’t say when the release date of the project will be, but that it'll “crash the Internet” upon its release. Previously announced as a Richtape (mixtape), Rich Homie Quan went on to say it may very well be an EP, citing that the two have given away enough free music.[2] On July 10, 2014, in an interview with XXL Rich Homie Quan announced that he was helping with the Rich Gang project. On September 23, 2014, Birdman boasted Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan's impact in a interview with MTV News saying, “They were already working on a project, them two, and I said, ‘Let’s do it together. Let me take it to the next level for y’all, ’cause I see y’all got the potential and the talent.' I just thought by them being together, it would be a stronger impact and then they still can do their solo things.”[3]
Promotional Singles
On September 29, 2014, videos for the first and second promotional singles "Tell Em (Lies)" featuring Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan and "Imma Ride" featuring Birdman, Young Thug and Yung Ralph was released ahead of the mixtape.[4] In "Tell Em (Lies)", Birdman, Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan are rolling around the city rapping about their infatuation for a certain type of women while flaunting their flashy cars and jewelry and in "Imma Ride", Birdman, Young Thug, and Yung Ralph are seen performing, riding around, chilling and smoking with the boys.
On October 17, 2014, videos for "Freestyle" featuring Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug and "Soldier" featuring Jacquees and Rich Homie Quan was released as the third and fourth promotional singles. In "Freestyle", Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, and Birdman live it up in a luxurious mansion while others enjoy the lavish lifestyle of the party going on around them and Jacquees is riding around with his soldier, singing and dancing in the middle of the street and chilling with Rich Homie Quan in the visual for "Soldier".[5][6]
On October 27, 2014, Rich Gang premiered the video for the fifth promotional single, "Milk Marie" featuring Rich Homie Quan on 106 & Park. In the video Rich Homie Quan gets real close and cozy with his female co-star while rapping along to the elegant trap cut. [7]
On October 30, 2014, Rich Gang released a video for the sixth promotional single "Flava" featuring Young Thug, Birdman, and Rich Homie Quan. The video shows Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, and Birdman posing and stunting for the cameras during an extravagant photo shoot. Juvenile, who recently re-signed to Cash Money, and Jacquees, who recently signed to Cash Money makes an appearance in the video, also. [8]
Reception
Upon its release, Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Complex described it as one of the year's best full-length records full stop, a consistently impactful rap record destined to be an indelible artifact of 2014.[9] HipHopDX called it a trap-love-fest that hypnotizes you for its entirety.[10]According to Rolling Stone, hearing Young Thug stretch his voice like pure nonsense in wheezy, joyful yelps with Rich Homie Quan's cold-soul verses and hooks to give the tape weight and substance, and Birdman's golden-toilet arrogance glazing in all absurd luxury makes a ridiculously fun mixtape.[11] Complex also praised the production on the tape, saying that the best songs belong to London on da Track, who works a sparse atmosphere of smooth, softened pianos and empty space, further enhancing the feeling that you witness.[12] Exclaim! said it is the best rap mixtape of 2014 and Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan are the kings of the new school.[13]On Stereogum's Best Albums of 2014, Tha Tour was listed at #21.[14]
Rich Homie Quan
Early life
Rich Homie Quan played baseball at Decatur, Georgia's Ronald E. McNair High School with aspirations to play professionally. After high school, when his baseball career did not materialize, he began rapping and got a job at a nearby airport. When he lost his job, Quan got involved in illegal activities which eventually led to him serving 15 months in prison for burglary.[3]
Musical career
The song "Differences" was the first single from his 2012 debut mixtape Still Going In.[1] In 2013, he toured with Trinidad James.[4] He was also featured on Gucci Mane's 2013 album Trap House III on the songs "I Heard", "Can't Trust Her" and "Chasin' Paper" featuring Young Thug. Reviewing his single "Type of Way", The New York Times wrote that he is "part of Atlanta’s rising generation of rappers—think Future, Young Thug, Young Scooter—who deliver lines with melody and heart, like singers on the verge of a breakdown."[5] The song has peaked at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6] Still Goin' In (Reloaded) would be named the tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[7]
"Type of Way" would be released to the iTunes Store by Def Jam Recordings in August 2013, suggesting him signing to the well known hip hop record label.[8] However Rich Homie Quan is still independent at the moment and is considering signing with Cash Money Records. [9] Quan was also featured on the song "My Nigga" by YG also featuring Young Jeezy, which peaked at number 19 on the Hot 100.[6] He was also featured on 2 Chainz' second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, on the song "Extra". In September 2013, he confirmed that he was 30% done with his debut album.[10] His mixtape I Promise I'll Never Stop Going In was released on November 26, 2013.[11] It was supported by the single "Walk Thru" featuring Problem.[12] The 2013 Michigan State Spartans football teamadopted "Type of Way" as an anthem, and Quan joined them on the sidelines in a green jersey at the 100th Rose Bowl, while also participating in their post-game locker-room celebration singing "Type of Way".[13] He was named to the 2014 XXL freshman class.[14]
Artistry
Influences
In an interview for XXL Rich Homie Quan stated hes a fan of Dirty South rap citing Lil Boosie, T.I., Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Kilo Ali, Outkast & Goodie Mob among his influences.[15]
Personal life
On May 6, 2014, Rich Homie Quan came home to Atlanta to shoot the video for his single "Walk Thru" with LA rapper Problem. Hours later, it was reported that he had two "seizures," falling and "cracking his head" on set, according to TMZ. Rich Homie Quan cleared up the rumors sending Billboard an exclusive statement, "I just want to thank my fans and everyone who has called concerned about me. I want to clear up two things, after being in 3 states in 3 days, up early having to shoot my video for "Walk Thru" and even sleeping in between scenes on top of filming in this humid Atlanta heat, I fainted and hit my head. It's no secret that I do turn up, I don't deny that but I'm not addicted to anything including drugs nor was I leaning at the shoot. The media is gonna put fake stories out there but I just want to let my fans know that I'm good and recovering. The second thing is, I promised I will never stop going in and I mean that."[16]
Young Thug
Jeffrey Williams (born August 9, 1991), better known by his stage name Young Thug, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He is known for the single "Stoner", as well as his collaborations with fellow Southern rappers, such as Birdman, Gucci Mane, Young Scooter, Rich Homie Quan, Waka Flocka Flame, Migos, Travi$ Scott and T.I. Young Thug signed a record deal with Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad Records, anAsylum/Atlantic imprint, in early 2013.[1][2] He gained major recognition in 2014, after being featured on a string of singles, including "About the Money" and "Lifestyle", the latter of which peaked at number 16 on the USBillboard Hot 100 chart.
Early life
Young Thug was born Jeffrey Williams on August 9, 1991, in Atlanta; the second youngest of his ten siblings. Williams is from the Cleveland Avenue area of Hapeville, a suburb of Atlanta. Williams dropped out of school in the sixth grade after breaking his teacher's arm. [1][3]
Music career
2011–2013: Early career and record deal
After releasing the first three installments of his mixtape series I Came From Nothing throughout 2011 and 2012, Young Thug caught the attention of fellow Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane, who went on to sign Young Thug to his label 1017 Brick Squad Records, an Asylum/Atlantic imprint, in 2013. Thug subsequently released his first project on the label, his fourth mixtape, 1017 Thug. The mixtape was met with positive reviews from music critics, which noted it for its original style. 1017 Thug was included in a number of year-end lists for 2013, such as Pitchfork's Albums of the Year: Honorable Mention[4] and Complex 's The 50 Best Albums of 2013.[5] FACT called it the best mixtape of 2013,[6] Rolling Stone placed it at number five on their 10 Best Mixtapes of 2013[7] and The Guardian placed it among The Five Best Mixtapes of 2013.[8]
Young Thug's song "Picacho", was noted as one of the standout tracks from the mixtape, although it was not released as a single, the song was included on a number of 2013 year-end lists, such as Rolling Stone 's 100 Best Songs of 2013,[9] Pitchfork's The Top 100 Tracks of 2013,[10] and Spin 's 50 Best Songs of 2013.[11]
In July 2013, Complex included him in their list of 25 New Rappers to Watch Out For.[12] In October 2013, Young Thug released his commercial debut single "Stoner".[13] The song spawned a number of unofficial remixes by several rappers, including Wale, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, Iamsu! and Trick-Trick, among others.[14] Thug expressed his disapproval for the remixes, commenting "If you feel like my song isn't tough enough to the point where you have to freestyle... Don't think I'm happy that you're doing it because of who you are. I'm ready for war."[15] His song "Danny Glover" also received a number of remixes by Waka Flocka Flame and Nicki Minaj, among others.[16] In December 2013, Thug performed at Fool's Gold Day Off show in Miami, among Danny Brown, Trick Daddy andTravis Scott.[17]
2014–present: Rise to popularity and label issues
On January 18, 2014, Young Thug revealed that he was offered $1.5 million to sign to Future's Freebandz record label and is uncertain about his current label status with 1017 Brick Squad Records.[18] In March 2014, Young Thug's affiliation with Cash Money Records and its chief executive officer (CEO) Birdman, resulted in much speculation in the media about him signing to the label. However, the label's publicist later stated this was untrue.[19] On March 28, 2014, Ronald "Caveman" Rosario, director of Urban Music at 101 Distribution, cleared the situation, stating that Young Thug signed a management deal with Birdman's Rich Gang, not a record deal, and is still signed to 1017 Brick Squad.[20]
In 2014, Thug also recorded several songs with Kanye West, who praised him for his ability to make songs so fast. Thug announced that he has upcoming mixtapes with Rich Homie Quan, Chief Keef and Bloody Jay.[14] Young Thug would go on to be featured on the March 2014 cover of The Fader.[21] On March 11, 2014, his debut single "Stoner", was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States by Asylum and Atlantic Records.[22] On March 24, 2014, Thug stated his debut album would be titled Tha Carter VI, referencing the highly acclaimed Tha Carter album series, by American hip hop superstar Lil Wayne, who has been the biggest influence in Young Thug's music career.[23] Two days later, it was revealed that Young Thug was working on a collaborative album with American record producer Metro Boomin, which is titled Metro Thuggin and set for release in spring 2014. The first song from the project, titled "The BLanguage", uses elements from Canadian rapper Drake's "The Language", was released the same day.[24] In April 2014, Young Thug released a new 808 Mafia-produced song titled "Eww", which was named one of the five best songs of the week by XXL.[25] The song was announced to be featured on Thug's debut album, including a guest verse by rapper Drake.[26]
On June 17, 2014, Kevin Liles confirmed that Young Thug had been officially signed to his and Lyor Cohen's label 300 Entertainment.[27] On July 1, 2014, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records officially released Young Thug's 2013 fan-favorite song "Danny Glover", re-titling it "2 Bitches". Also on July 1, Mass Appeal Records released "Old English", the first single from their compilation album Mass Appeal Vol. 1, which features Young Thug alongside fellow American rappers ASAP Ferg and Freddie Gibbs.[28][29] On October 16, 2014, the first single from Cash Money Records Rich Gang 2 compilation, was released titled "Take Kare," featuring Young Thug and Lil Wayne.[30] The December 4, 2014 issue of Rolling Stone called Young Thug the "most exciting new voice of hip-hop" and "hip-hop's new crown prince."
Artistry
Musical style
Thug is known for his eccentric[14] and diverse, sing-song style.[6] XXL called him a "rap weirdo" and "the standout guest appearance in Gucci Mane's Trap God 2 and Waka Flocka Flame's DuFlocka Rant 2", commenting that "Thug's charisma, unhinged flow and hooks make his music intriguing."[31] Pitchfork also called his style "extraordinarily distinctive" and wrote that "What Young Thug brings to the table, then, isn't just a weird, experimental approach to rapping, but presence, persona, mystique, and, potentially, star power."[32] The Fader described his music, saying "In a typical Young Thug verse, he slurs, shouts, whines and sings, feverishly contorting his voice into a series of odd timbres like a beautifully played but broken wind instrument. [1] Thug usually uses Auto-Tune in his songs.[33]
Influences
Young Thug has cited American rapper Lil Wayne, as his biggest idol and influence.[34] In an interview with Complex magazine he says, "I want to get in the studio with Wayne more than anybody in the world."[34]
Personal life
On February 26, 2014, Young Thug was arrested in Atlanta for possession of a controlled substance, driving without a seat belt, reckless conduct, and reckless driving.[35]
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