JUST RE'D UP 3

Before *My Krazy Life* and its DJ Mustard-produced singles made YG a bona fide rap star, he was building his reputation while feeding the streets with mixtapes. Among those, 2011’s *Just Re\'d Up* and its sequel scarcely two years later all but announced the Bompton rapper as one to watch, boasting features by the likes of Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, and Ty Dolla $ign. More than a decade later, after well over a dozen serious hits, he returns to the fan-favorite series as a highly respected veteran of the game. Divided into two stacked halves, the nearly hour-long (and newly capitalized) *JUST RE’D UP 3* flaunts everything listeners have come to expect from YG. He exudes toughness and menace on “VIOLENCE,” lowering his guard only slightly on the sexually charged “ONLY FANS.” Occasionally, he explores less expected styles via the Latin-infused flex “KNOCKA” or the Afrobeats-informed “STREET LOVE” with Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz, but for the most part he dips between emboldened street-level bars and unapologetically thuggin’ R&B. YG’s elevated status and the associated prestige gives him his pick of guests, a curated group that encompasses younger talents and old friends alike. He pops out with Midwest heavy hitters Tee Grizzley and G Herbo on the triumphant “MALIBU” and stays closer to home with West Coasters Larry June and Saweetie on “PUT IT IN MY HAND” and “SHE PRETTY,” respectively. Representing amid his own “Not Like Us” resurgence, Mustard adds his special seasoning to cuts like brazen opener “GO BRAZY,” flashy single “STUPID” with Lil Yachty and Babyface Ray, and the far more romantic “LOVE MAKE.” And of course, series regular Ty$ returns for a few noteworthy appearances, first on the extremely raunchy “IT’S GIVIN” and then later on the hardly subtler “RESCUE ME.”