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In a Venn diagram of rap styles, Detroit and Atlanta hold little middle ground. The former is a rap that's relentless and outlandish, one that spills in and out of the four-beat structure on a whim; the latter's MCs anchor themselves to melodies, patterns, and a steady trickle of hi-hats. Yet between them sits (quite literally, if his recent mixtape covers are anything to go by) a single figure, a rapper who combines radio-ready melody with relentless flow. His name is 42 Dugg -- and with his unique, drawling vocals, he manages to synthesize these styles with ease. However, while Dugg's fusion has proven apt for upstart, trigger-clutching anthems, we've rarely seen the aftermath of that story -- a void that his latest mixtape, Free Dem Boyz, attempts to fill. As its title suggests, FDB is the product of sentencing after sentencing -- its cover names 11 of Dugg's associates, with a further 27 highlighted in its collage of mug shots. In this light, his yelps become cries; his signature whistle, typically a prelude to glorious trash-talking, becomes a deflated outward breath.
This change of pace colors many of his anthems with a potent third dimension. At the top of the rankings is the positively menacing "Free Woo," which retains Dugg's snarling boasts while lacing in stories of uncertainty and betrayal. Similar narratives arrive in the equally excellent "Maybach" and "Judge Please" -- and even the fist-thumping "4 Da Gang" is closed with a bittersweet "2018 was the year my dawg died." The nearly four-minute "Alone" -- a statement piece that stands out among two-minute bangers -- is a moonlit test of grief, a career highlight that pays cutting tribute to the costs of reckless living.
Granted, some of the choices that made Dugg's outlandish anthems so vivid let his mellow reflections fall short -- his echoing vocal FX cloud the personal narratives of "Free Merey," while his drawn-out melodies drag a little on the chorus of "Please." But these are minor missteps compared to the project's true Achilles' heel: its production. Dugg's most personal record to date is flooded with looping "type" beats, budget imitations that cling to prepacked melodies and cloudy drums. The genre's tired acoustic loops are wheeled out in embarrassing fashion -- via the repetitive "Free Merey" or the one-note "Rose Gold" -- and many that surpass this template are so murky in their mixing that any potential punch is lost. Even a brief glance at last year's Young & Turnt 2 displays a sharp decline in quality: where has the hell-raising thump of "Turnt B*tch" and "Mr. Woody" gone?
If Young & Turnt 2 was a victory lap dipped in introspection, then Free Dem Boyz flips the formula: while there are moments of victory here, even the highs are built on foundations of loss. Yet, despite a few career standouts, FDB's hollowed production condemns Dugg's stories to a murky mediocrity.
© David Crone /TiVo
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Section 8, Producer - Leo Geoff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Woodpecker, Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Levi De Jong, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Turbo, Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Lil Durk, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Durk Banks, ComposerLyricist - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Aaron Butler, ComposerLyricist - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lesidney Ragland, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Flex On The Beat, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - FOREVEROLLING, Producer - Jeffrey Lynn Jones Jr, ComposerLyricist - Tymaz, Producer - Oscar Braojos Garcis, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Arabian, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, MainArtist - Anthony Mathis, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Arabian McWilson, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Nick Papz, Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nikolas Papamitrou, ComposerLyricist - Alexander Papamitrou, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Moneybagg Yo, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Demario White, ComposerLyricist - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Tyymachine, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Tyler McCann, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Elijah Ohiri, ComposerLyricist - HitMan Audio, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Gregory Sanders Jr., ComposerLyricist - STOOPKID, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Nardo Wick, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Taytaymadeit, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Tavian Carter, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Dj Swift, Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Damion Deron Williams, ComposerLyricist - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Helluva, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Martin McCurtis, ComposerLyricist - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
K. Meine, ComposerLyricist - Chris Athens, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - R. Schenker, ComposerLyricist - Derek "MixedByAli" Ali, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Dennis, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Roddy Ricch, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rodrick Wayne Moore, Jr., ComposerLyricist - Taytaymadeit, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Tavian Carter, ComposerLyricist - Khaya "Macxsn" Gilka, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Future, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nayvadius Wilburn, ComposerLyricist - G1, Producer - G Koop, Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chosen 1, Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Darius Henry, ComposerLyricist - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - DaBoyDame, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Yung Dee, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Jeuan Kiel Tabarrejo, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Julien Suleiman, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gorelov Lev Aleksandorovich, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - David McDowell, ComposerLyricist - Spencer Harris, ComposerLyricist - Dmac, Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Einer Bankz, Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Section 8, Producer - Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Lil Durk, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Durk Banks, ComposerLyricist - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew “Mattazik Muzik” Robinson, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Rai'Shaun Williams, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rylo Rodriguez, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Veno The Builder, Producer - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ceary Varon Houston, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Taytaymadeit, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Tavian Carter, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - ANT BEATZ, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Anthony Mathis, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Monique Diamond, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Tyymachine, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Monique Winning, Producer - wristyboi, Producer - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Aleksandr Poroshin, ComposerLyricist - Tyler McCann, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - EST Gee, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - George Stone III, ComposerLyricist - Carlo Anthony Coxen II, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Who Is Carlo, Producer
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Dj Swift, Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Damion Deron Williams, ComposerLyricist - Brayon Nelson, ComposerLyricist - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mook On The Beat, Producer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rowdy Rebel, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Andre Loblack, ComposerLyricist - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - 808Melo, Producer - Fivio Foreign, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Maxie Lee Ryles III, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Danny Lee Snodgrass, Jr., ComposerLyricist - Internet Money, Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tanner Katich, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Rio Francisco Leyva, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Nathan Scott Lamarche, ComposerLyricist - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Bryan Williams, ComposerLyricist - Byron Thomas, ComposerLyricist - Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Murda Beatz, Producer - Shane Lindstrom, ComposerLyricist - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Leo Goff, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Aaron Butler, ComposerLyricist - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Logan Schmitz, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Flex On The Beat, Producer - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Ry, Producer - Leo Goff, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ry Louis, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Yo Gotti, Producer, Executive Producer - Lil Baby, Producer, Executive Producer - ANT BEATZ, Producer - Ari Morris, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - 42 Dugg, Rap Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Anthony Mathis, ComposerLyricist - Dion Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Bella Smith, A&R Coordinator - Khaya “Macxsn” Gilika, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
Album review
In a Venn diagram of rap styles, Detroit and Atlanta hold little middle ground. The former is a rap that's relentless and outlandish, one that spills in and out of the four-beat structure on a whim; the latter's MCs anchor themselves to melodies, patterns, and a steady trickle of hi-hats. Yet between them sits (quite literally, if his recent mixtape covers are anything to go by) a single figure, a rapper who combines radio-ready melody with relentless flow. His name is 42 Dugg -- and with his unique, drawling vocals, he manages to synthesize these styles with ease. However, while Dugg's fusion has proven apt for upstart, trigger-clutching anthems, we've rarely seen the aftermath of that story -- a void that his latest mixtape, Free Dem Boyz, attempts to fill. As its title suggests, FDB is the product of sentencing after sentencing -- its cover names 11 of Dugg's associates, with a further 27 highlighted in its collage of mug shots. In this light, his yelps become cries; his signature whistle, typically a prelude to glorious trash-talking, becomes a deflated outward breath.
This change of pace colors many of his anthems with a potent third dimension. At the top of the rankings is the positively menacing "Free Woo," which retains Dugg's snarling boasts while lacing in stories of uncertainty and betrayal. Similar narratives arrive in the equally excellent "Maybach" and "Judge Please" -- and even the fist-thumping "4 Da Gang" is closed with a bittersweet "2018 was the year my dawg died." The nearly four-minute "Alone" -- a statement piece that stands out among two-minute bangers -- is a moonlit test of grief, a career highlight that pays cutting tribute to the costs of reckless living.
Granted, some of the choices that made Dugg's outlandish anthems so vivid let his mellow reflections fall short -- his echoing vocal FX cloud the personal narratives of "Free Merey," while his drawn-out melodies drag a little on the chorus of "Please." But these are minor missteps compared to the project's true Achilles' heel: its production. Dugg's most personal record to date is flooded with looping "type" beats, budget imitations that cling to prepacked melodies and cloudy drums. The genre's tired acoustic loops are wheeled out in embarrassing fashion -- via the repetitive "Free Merey" or the one-note "Rose Gold" -- and many that surpass this template are so murky in their mixing that any potential punch is lost. Even a brief glance at last year's Young & Turnt 2 displays a sharp decline in quality: where has the hell-raising thump of "Turnt B*tch" and "Mr. Woody" gone?
If Young & Turnt 2 was a victory lap dipped in introspection, then Free Dem Boyz flips the formula: while there are moments of victory here, even the highs are built on foundations of loss. Yet, despite a few career standouts, FDB's hollowed production condemns Dugg's stories to a murky mediocrity.
© David Crone /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 26 track(s)
- Total length: 01:07:05
- Main artists: 42 Dugg
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: 4PF - CMG
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2021 4PF/CMG ℗ 2021 4PF/CMG
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