Lil Baby, My Turn | Album Review

Atlanta rapper Lil Baby delivers the goods (for the most part) on My Turn, a trap album with no shortage of bangers.

Does Lil Baby (Dominique Jones) have “Sum 2 Prove”? Perhaps he does on My Turn, his sophomore album which arrived at the end of February 2020. The Grammy-nominated rapper actually released two mixtapes between his debut album (Harder Than Ever) and My Turn, so, he hasn’t exactly been of the spotlight. All in all, My Turn is an enjoyable effort with no shortage of bangers from the agile artist, but it does run a bit long, even at an hour in duration.

“Get Ugly”

Lil Baby commences My Turn with “Get Ugly,” showcasing his agile, rhythmic flows, drenched in autotune.  Sometimes, his bars run into one another, given the southern drawl, but if nothing else, “Get Ugly” sets the tone with its energy, dark, hard-hitting production, and, a sweet chorus: “It can get ugly / Would you leave or stay like you love me / From the bottom, all I know is the struggle / Can’t get no job, so all I know is the hustle.” Gunna joins in on “Heatin Up,” another minor-key banger, produced by Quay Global.  Baby kicks things off, wowing with his flow, filled with cockiness, confidence, and drip: “Man, these racks getting’ too big for these skinny clothes / I might put me an M in some big Girbaud.” Gunna, also flaunts his rhythmic approach, sometimes indecipherable, but always giving off vibes.

Murda Beatz produces the next joint, “How,” which finds Lil Baby going solo once more.  He doesn’t transform the game here by any means, but he has a knocking beat to support his bars.  42 Dugg assists him on “Grace,” another trap banger that finds the rapper ‘bringing the heat.’ 42 Dugg raps the first half of the first verse, before Baby enters into the mix.  Perhaps Baby’s best moment is the chorus, particularly the last half:

“Ran up my check, when I walk in the bank
They greet me at the door by my government name
I made a promise, I’m never gon’ change
Rolls Royce umbrella, I’m hopin’ it rain, yeah.”

“Woah”

The best song, at this point of My Turn, arrives as the fifth track, ✓ “Woah.” Another superb production by Quay Global, it’s unsurprising Lil Baby’s fire is fully fueled. Baby shines on the memorable, melodic chorus (“Post my drip up daily just so they can see”), while his verses continue to find him bragging (“I just came back from the West with a trophy” or “Drive the new Corvette like it’s stolen”).

Future joins him ✓ “Live Off My Closet,” which features a souped-up beat courtesy of Twysted Genius.  Nothing profound may come as a result of the collaboration, but hey, it’s definitely another vibe.  Like much of My Turn, the chorus, performed by Lil Baby, is a big-time selling point.

“Same Thing,” produced by Tay Keith has a much brighter sound compared to the songs that precede it.  Another solo cut from Lil Baby, his mouth runs a mile a minute here.  You could make the argument that he could’ve packed a few less words here – it’s definitely wordy.  He makes up for any improprieties with another personal favorite from My Turn, ✓ “Emotionally Scarred.” Once again, he calls on the production prowess of Twysted Genius, and he definitely delivers the goods.  The sound of the record is both warm, with the fluty synth, and hard-hitting, with the animated drum programming.  Couple that with one of the most authentic, energetic, and potent flows from the southern rapper, and “Emotionally Scarred” is certified bop.

“Commercial”

Tay Keith returns to stitch up “Commercial,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert.  The results are more intriguing than “Same Thing” was in my opinion. Worth noting, they are two very different songs, with “Commercial” embracing a minor key and eschewing brightness.  He trades Lil Uzi Vert for Lil Wayne on the tenth track, ✓ “Forever.”  As is the case throughout My Turn, Baby makes sure that he ‘takes first blood,’ dropping another worthwhile chorus, then delivering the first verse. No worries, he allows Weezy to stay true to self on the second verse:

“Suavé, sippin’ promethazine latte
Sticky-ass weed like Scotch tape
Big beast, call me Banijay
Me and Lil Baby compadre…”

Again, give that Twysted Genius credit for his kick ass production – among the best in my opinion.

Following two collaborative numbers, Lil Baby is solo once more on “Can’t Explain,” another Quay Beats helmed joint.  Although it is a record about his come-up, I wouldn’t necessarily characterize “Can’t Explain” as the deepest, most profound record per se. Moneybagg Yo appears on the banging follow-up “No Sucker,” where the rhymes definitely punch. Moneybagg Yo maybe more refreshing, considering we’ve had an abundance of the lead artist throughout My Turn.

“Sum 2 Prove”

On ✓ “Sum 2 Prove”, Lil Baby continues to bless us with an agile flow.  From the jump, he doesn’t show any let up, rapping like his life depends on it.  No, the lyrics aren’t characterized by a great deal of depth on this single but give him credit for being invested in what he spits. With some notable one-liners (“I’ma shoot by myself like a technical foul”), the crowning achievement in regard to form and memorability when it comes the lyrics, is none other than the chorus.

“Yeah, my diamonds be VV’s
They don’t wan’ see us on TV unless it’s the news
I got somethin’ to prove
Yeah, I’m young, but got somethin’ to lose
In the street, I done paid all my dues
No extortion, ain’t talkin’ bout literally
I be walkin’ on beats, Is you hearin’ me?
I just pray that my kids be a bigger me, they can’t get rid of me.”

Furthermore, the production is pretty sweet. He’s backed by a trap beat, with knocking drums that hearken back to his hit single, “Yes Indeed” with Drake.  The backdrop is nothing brand-new mind you, but certainly ignite the rapper’s fire. “Sum 2 Prove” definitely proves that he can make hits.

“We Should” 

“Started with a penny, now it’s racked up to a million / Rappin’ rappin’ niggas can’t compare, they like my children / I know bitches tryna get to know a nigga ‘cause his digit…” Fourteen tracks in (“We Should”) and we finally get the first appearance by Young Thug – you knew it was going to happen.  The theme? Why, the come-up, something Lil Baby explored previously on “Can’t Explain.” “Catch the Sun” follows, notably featured on Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack.  As far as the sound, Hit-Boy provides some contrast, handling the boards.  A couple of lines from the second verse standout:

“I left the house at sixteen, I told my mama, ‘I’m grown’
Been through a lot of situations, I can handle my own
If I had only one call, I know you pick up the phone
If they ain’t with us, we gone.”

The flow remains appealing on “Consistent,” the sixteenth track on My Turn.  Nothing brand-new occurs, but it’s another appealing number helmed by Quay Beats.  “Gang Signs” brings some contrast, thanks to the first appearance by producers DJ Paul and Twhy Xclusive.  A Three 6 Mafia sample (“Throw Yo Sets in Da Air”) never seems to be a bad thing, right? Damn right!  Quay Beats is back at it on “Hurtin,” where Lil Baby only has one fear – “Fear of God pants, I don’t fear men.”  Interesting, the ‘hurting’ seems to be potentially cutthroat and violent (“I pray to God that I don’t have to get nobody whacked”), yet also ‘hurtful’ to him (“Couple bitches know they wish they would’ve held it down / It feel like they build me up , try to tear me down”).

Penultimate banger “Forget That” pairs Lil Baby with Rylo Rodriquez.  The confidence and the drip is real to say the least.  “My diamonds hit harder, I ain’t in no competition,” Baby raps on the chorus, adding, “Not to mention, just a lil bit richer, can’t forget that (Nah).” As for Rodriquez: “Had a lil ten bands, I spent that shit on denim / I pull up Usain Bolt Trackhaw, this is not no rental, yeah.” Baby closes out My Turn ‘solidly’ with “Solid,” a banger produced by Chi Chi.

Final Thoughts 

So, how does My Turn stack up as a whole? All in all, Lil Baby drops an enjoyable album that has no shortage of bangers.  My Turn is too long, even at an hour; an edit could’ve made it better.  As is, it’s not bad, but sometimes, Baby is short on more meaningful substance in his rhymes.  Still, he has some fine moments, while his choruses are definitely strong.  Not the second coming, but lots to like.

✓ Gems: “Woah,” “Live Off My Closet,” “Emotionally Scarred,” “Forever” & “Sum 2 Prove”

Lil Baby • My Turn • Quality Control Music / Motown • Release: 2.28.20

Photo Credits: Quality Control Music / Motown