The Rundown: YG, My Krazy Life

A track-by-track review of the West Coast rapper's debut.

The Rundown: YG, My Krazy Life - Since emerging with his 2010 hit "Toot It and Boot It," YG has released a slew of mixtapes and a handful of club hits. It's been unclear, however, if the Def Jam signee would ever be able to get a release date for his major label debut. That question is answered today on My Krazy Life, as the Los Angeles native drops a cohesive collection that combines street stories with thundering production. (Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

1 / 18

The Rundown: YG, My Krazy Life - Since emerging with his 2010 hit "Toot It and Boot It," YG has released a slew of mixtapes and a handful of club hits. It's been unclear, however, if the Def Jam signee would ever be able to get a release date for his major label debut. That question is answered today on My Krazy Life, as the Los Angeles native drops a cohesive collection that combines street stories with thundering production. (Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

OVO Festival 2014 - Drake’s OVO Fest is quickly becoming one of hip hop’s must see shows. You’ve got to be a well-respected artist to garner an invite from Drizzy. Count YG among the class of stars who were bestowed the honor this year. The fifth annual festival also brought big name talent like Outkast, 50 Cent and Lauryn Hill to the 6. The Cali rapper was able to grace the stage with such hip hop luminaries because he is one of the most sought after young hitmakers in the game today.(Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage)

2 / 18

"Momma Speech Intro" - YG gets yelled at by his moms for runnin' the streets on the album opener. Remember, momma knows best. (Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage)

"BPT" - The Compton native puts on for his neighborhood on this funkdafied cut that finds the kid known for club hits rhyming with more speed and intent than listeners may be used to. (Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images)

3 / 18

"BPT" - The Compton native puts on for his neighborhood on this funkdafied cut that finds the kid known for club hits rhyming with more speed and intent than listeners may be used to. (Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo by Joe Kohen/Getty Images

"I Just Wanna Party" featuring ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock - Over a characteristic and infectious DJ Mustard beat (ripe with claps and chants), YG invites fellow L.A. natives ScHoolBoy Q and Jay Rock along to ride for their 'hoods and kick off the party. (Photos from left: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET, John Ricard / BET, Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI)

4 / 18

"I Just Wanna Party" featuring ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock - Over a characteristic and infectious DJ Mustard beat (ripe with claps and chants), YG invites fellow L.A. natives ScHoolBoy Q and Jay Rock along to ride for their 'hoods and kick off the party. (Photos from left: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET, John Ricard / BET, Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI)

“No Reason” ft. YG, Jeezy, RJ and Nipsey Hussle - Beyond producing the perfect sonic union, Mustard had the task of pairing the artistry of various rappers on each track. For “No Reason” he recruited none other than Jeezy, whose flow complements the hyper-energized sounds from the West Coast rappers. Nipsey Hussle, RJ and YG are also right on point, laying down unapologetic punch lines simply because they can.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

5 / 18

"Left, Right" featuring DJ Mustard - DJ Mustard is all over this head-nodder. The frequent YG collaborator not only provides the production, but also some vocals, which earns him a "feature" credit. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

ADVERTISEMENT
"Bicken Back Being Bool" - YG throws his storytelling cap on for this thumping Mustard-crafted cut as he paints a picture of a day in the 'hood he came up in.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

6 / 18

"Bicken Back Being Bool" - YG throws his storytelling cap on for this thumping Mustard-crafted cut as he paints a picture of a day in the 'hood he came up in.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard / BET

"Meet the Flockers" featuring Tee Cee - You wouldn't want to run into YG and Tee Cee after listening to "Meet the Flockers." The two MCs trade verses about stick ups and robberies to help them get paid by any means necessary. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Interscope Geffen A&M)

7 / 18

"Meet the Flockers" featuring Tee Cee - You wouldn't want to run into YG and Tee Cee after listening to "Meet the Flockers." The two MCs trade verses about stick ups and robberies to help them get paid by any means necessary. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Interscope Geffen A&M)

Photo By Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Interscope Geffen A&M/ Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Interscope Geffen A&M

"My N---a" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan - Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan hop in the booth for this hit to add a little Atlanta flavor to the Cali rapper's now platinum-selling cut.(Photo: CTE World)

8 / 18

"My N---a" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan - Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan hop in the booth for this hit to add a little Atlanta flavor to the Cali rapper's now platinum-selling cut.(Photo: CTE World)

Photo By Photo: CTE World

"Do It to Ya" featuring TeeFLii - Though there's plenty on the album to make you move, this collab with TeeFLii is YG's first direct appeal to the ladies, as he tries to charm with his words and sexual promises. (Photos from left: YG via Instagram, TeeFlii via Instagram)

9 / 18

"Do It to Ya" featuring TeeFLii - Though there's plenty on the album to make you move, this collab with TeeFLii is YG's first direct appeal to the ladies, as he tries to charm with his words and sexual promises. (Photos from left: YG via Instagram, TeeFlii via Instagram)

"Me and My B---h" featuring Tory Lanez - YG enlists up and comer Tory Lanez to sing the hook for this song that finds the Def Jam signee recalling a failed relationship with a girl. (Photos from left: YG via Instagram, Tory Lanez via Instagram)

10 / 18

"Me and My B---h" featuring Tory Lanez - YG enlists up and comer Tory Lanez to sing the hook for this song that finds the Def Jam signee recalling a failed relationship with a girl. (Photos from left: YG via Instagram, Tory Lanez via Instagram)

Photo By Photos from left: YG via Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT
"Who Do You Love" featuring Drake - For this single from the album (and sure-to-be hit), YG and Drake join forces to talk tough over yet another undeniable DJ Mustard anthem. (Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

11 / 18

"Who Do You Love" featuring Drake - For this single from the album (and sure-to-be hit), YG and Drake join forces to talk tough over yet another undeniable DJ Mustard anthem. (Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

"Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)" featuring Kendrick Lamar - With some minimalist production backing them, fellow Compton natives YG and Kendrick Lamar collaborate to contemplate how they "be goin' through some things" and that's why they "really be smokin'" and "really be drinkin'."(Photos from left: Joe Kohen/Getty Images, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

12 / 18

"Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)" featuring Kendrick Lamar - With some minimalist production backing them, fellow Compton natives YG and Kendrick Lamar collaborate to contemplate how they "be goin' through some things" and that's why they "really be smokin'" and "really be drinkin'."(Photos from left: Joe Kohen/Getty Images, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

"1 AM" - YG weaves some more 'hood tales on "1 AM" as he gets involved in some more robbing — which unfortunately ends in gunshots and an encounter with police. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

13 / 18

"1 AM" - YG weaves some more 'hood tales on "1 AM" as he gets involved in some more robbing — which unfortunately ends in gunshots and an encounter with police. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard / BET

YG - YG is contending for the Who Blew Up Award as well, mainly off the strength of turning in a solid My Krazy Life album, which depicted the day in the life of a young Compton gangster. Great album.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

14 / 18

"Thank God (Interlude)" featuring Big TC and RJ - The story continues here as YG's mother receives a call where she finds out that her son has been locked up as a friend sends out the distress signal. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

"Sorry Momma" featuring Ty Dolla $ign - Sure, you can never go wrong with an ode to the woman that birthed and raised you, but YG's homage feels particularly heartfelt. After hearing for the last 13 tracks about all the chaos and trouble that the Cali kid got into in his youth, YG apologizes to and thanks his mother, promising that's the past. Terrace Martin's saxophone and Ty Dolla $ign's hook help set the tone. (Photos from left: Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images) 

15 / 18

"Sorry Momma" featuring Ty Dolla $ign - Sure, you can never go wrong with an ode to the woman that birthed and raised you, but YG's homage feels particularly heartfelt. After hearing for the last 13 tracks about all the chaos and trouble that the Cali kid got into in his youth, YG apologizes to and thanks his mother, promising that's the past. Terrace Martin's saxophone and Ty Dolla $ign's hook help set the tone. (Photos from left: Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images) 

ADVERTISEMENT
"When I Was Gone" featuring RJ, Tee Cee, Charlie Hood, Reem Riches and Slim 400 - YG brings a gang of homies with him to lament their ladies stepping out on them when they were locked up. (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI)

16 / 18

"When I Was Gone" featuring RJ, Tee Cee, Charlie Hood, Reem Riches and Slim 400 - YG brings a gang of homies with him to lament their ladies stepping out on them when they were locked up. (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI)

"Bompton" - Things wrap up much in the way that they started, as YG again takes pride in the streets that raised him as he tells tales of his native Bompton (Compton to most). (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

17 / 18

"Bompton" - Things wrap up much in the way that they started, as YG again takes pride in the streets that raised him as he tells tales of his native Bompton (Compton to most). (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

"My N---a (Remix)" featuring Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Rich Homie Quan and Nicki Minaj - A huge song deserves an equally huge remix, and that's exactly what YG gave his lead single. With heavyweight Lil Wayne, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj in tow, the Cali native keeps the party going. (Photo: Def Jam)

18 / 18

"My N---a (Remix)" featuring Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Rich Homie Quan and Nicki Minaj - A huge song deserves an equally huge remix, and that's exactly what YG gave his lead single. With heavyweight Lil Wayne, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj in tow, the Cali native keeps the party going. (Photo: Def Jam)