YG: "Twist My Fingaz"
YG‘s My Krazy Life was the anti-good kid, m.A.A.d city. Both Kendrick and YG presented the realities of growing up in Compton, but while Kendrick sought escape from the drugs and violence, YG indulged. On My Krazy Life, YG partied, robbed houses, and proudly claimed his Blood affiliation. Still, he made it clear that his lifestyle was more of a product of circumstance than a choice.
YG gets back to basics on “Twist My Fingaz”, the first single from Still Krazy. He doesn’t want to be anybody’s hero, but he’s not necessarily the villain either. He just tells it how he sees it, recalling getting shot outside of a recording studio last month. Throughout his two verses, he switches between the specific details of the shooting and threats to his enemies, both in Compton and in rap. “I’m the only who one who made it out the West without Dre” becomes an even better line when paired with “The only one that got hit and was walking the same day.” YG, however, is careful never to suggest his life is for everyone, questioning, “Why all these rap niggas wanna be Bloods?/ Never see ‘em in the hood only see ‘em in the club.”
Terrace Martin’s new-school g-funk production opens up YG’s flow in a way that DJ Mustard‘s never quite did on My Krazy Life. YG’s verses actually blend and lead into one another, instead of sounding like standalone clips. YG also varies his pacing over the melodic, blown-out-synthy beat, creating a more natural sound. “Twist My Fingaz” finds YG laidback in classic California fashion, marrying aggression and good vibes, sounding satisfied with who he is.
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