At first blush, Atlanta rapper Young Thug doesn’t seem all that far off from the current aesthetic of popular rap. All trap beats and wildly explicit lyrics, songs like “Picacho” and “Check” have an inscrutable Lil Wayne-turnt-to-11 flow that tips toward Lil B, Gucci Mane and Weezy himself. But then you start to look closer. On JEFFERY, Young Thug’s fourth commercial mixtape (and third this year), Thugger revels in an unconventional groove, delivering his verses in wavy yelps, drawing Prince comparisons thanks to his hypersexual lyricism and gender fluidity. Say what you will about his rap style, Young Thug is one of the most unique voices in hip-hop in 2016, and that alone is worth your attention. Thug is playing alongside Young Dolph as part of Tennessee State University’s homecoming festivities, and tickets are on sale to the general public. LANCE CONZETT
TSU Homecoming Concert Feat. Young Thug and Young Dolph
