The evolution of rap music can be identified by the emergence of Young Thug. Today's up-and-coming rappers often consider him a cornerstone, not only as a major source of inspiration, but also as the catalyst for their own musical journeys. Thug's unconventional approach to utilizing his voice, experimenting with vocal inflections and taking risks on projects like Beautiful Thugger Girls propelled his career to new heights.
Thugger's musical journey can be traced back to 2013 when he signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 label and released the mixtape 1017 Thug. However, it was his 2014 hits such as "Stoner," "Danny Glover," "About The Money'' featuring T.I. and, of course, "Lifestyle" featuring Rich Homie Quan that catapulted him into the mainstream. From 2015 on, Thug embarked on a remarkable streak of success. His album, Barter 6, released that year, featured the charting single "Check," which resonated with listeners on payday. In 2016, Thug released notable projects including I'm Up, Slime Season 3 and the controversial album Jeffery, which sparked conversations with its cover featuring Thug wearing a dress. While the dress drew attention, the album showcased Thug's versatility by blending genres, such as the reggae-inspired track "Wyclef Jean'' and the R&B-infused "RiRi."
In 2017, Thug's collaboration with pop singer Camila Cabello on "Havana" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, he dropped a joint mixtape with Future titled, Super Slimey. By 2018, Thug had solidified his status as a rap star, and his 2019 opus So Much Fun further cemented his position as a megastar. Thugger has amassed an impressive 81 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and his solo albums like the aforementioned So Much Fun and 2021's Punk both topped the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Additionally, his label compilation, Slime Language 2, also claimed the highest spot on the chart. As Thug's accomplishments continue to grow, his artistry remains unparalleled.