Imagine a mixtape that captures the raw, unfiltered energy of an artist who is too often misunderstood and underestimated—meet "Finally Rollin 2", from the Baton Rouge diamond-in-the-rough, YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Released on November 26, 2016, this project dropped in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, packed with gritty tales and unpolished truths that reflect a life far from the gloss of mainstream rap.
YoungBoy, also known as NBA YoungBoy, created this body of work at a pivotal moment when the stakes were sky-high for his career. With an electric blend of infectious beats and unapologetically real lyrics, "Finally Rollin 2" portrays his relentless hustle and the relentless struggle of navigating a life that doesn’t just sit at the periphery of American society—it challenges it from within.
Now, to get why "Finally Rollin 2" is more than just another mixtape in the crowded world of hip-hop, let's talk about authenticity. It’s a buzzword tossed around a lot these days, selling everything from eco-friendly products to lifestyle brands. But for YoungBoy, authenticity isn’t just a sales pitch. It’s survival, expression, and often the only outlet he has to reconcile his experiences with the universe.
At the heart of the tape is an homage to Gucci Mane’s “Writing on the Wall 2”, asserting YoungBoy’s place in the lineage of Southern rap legends. This isn’t about copy-catting; instead, it’s a tip of the hat while blazing a trail of his own with tracks that serve as today's street anthems. His lyrics are sharp, sometimes profane, but always wrapped in haunting honesty.
It’s worth understanding both sides here. Hip hop can be criticised for promoting problematic stereotypes, too often glamorizing violence or reinforcing misogyny. Those criticisms are valid and important. They prompt necessary conversations about the state of the genre and its influence on culture.
However, we cannot ignore the context from which music like "Finally Rollin 2" emerges. It’s proof of the systemic inequalities still entrenched in parts of America. YoungBoy’s music becomes a reflection of a societal story that is rarely told in textbooks. His narratives of struggle, love, pain, and the quest for personal freedom resonate deeply with those who see pieces of their existence mirrored in his music.
For Gen Z, a generation characterized by its activism and craving for authenticity, such works depict realness that often contrasts the polished, heavily edited content they’re flooded with daily. They find in YoungBoy’s music an unapologetic exploration of life—messy, chaotic, sometimes destructive, but undeniably human.
"Finally Rollin 2" doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not—it doesn’t dress its narratives in fancy metaphors or hide the bruises of its creation. It shows life in high definition, raw and uncut. This transparency is why many are captivated by YoungBoy’s artistry.
Some critics, though, remain skeptical, arguing that narratives focusing predominantly on crime and struggle can perpetuate a cycle of negativity. Yet, the flip side often lies in an undeniable sense of solidarity it fosters among listeners. They draw strength from seeing someone who made it out, someone whose battle anthems guide them along their fight.
It’s also important to recognize YoungBoy's journey isn’t cloaked solely in negativity; there is a resilient hope throughout his tracks. A hope that appeals to the optimistic undertones of Gen Z, who, despite their struggles, continue to push for social change.
Through all the noise, fame, and controversy, "Finally Rollin 2" offers a loud reminder of the power of music as a form of storytelling. It’s a narrative deeply entrenched in the realities of many marginalized communities who use art as both shield and beacon.
Listening to this mixtape isn’t just about enjoying bass-heavy beats and clever wordplay. It’s about engaging with an artist's truth, one that might be stark and uncomfortable, and reflecting on the whys and hows of the society that shaped this narrative.
YoungBoy's artistry in "Finally Rollin 2" challenges us to listen beyond the music, to hear the stories that are knitted into the fabric of who we are as a society and where we might be headed. That narrative might just be what makes YoungBoy, and his work, a piece of history in the making.