Megan Thee Stallion, Suga | Album Review 💿

[usr 3.5]

Megan Thee Stallion remains entertaining and unapologetic on Suga, though loses some steam on its more melodic moments.

One of the hottest rappers in the game male or female is none other than Megan Thee Stallion.  High in demand, Megan has been pretty prolific as both a solo artist and collaborator during her career as of yet. She follows up her debut, full-length album, Fever, with a nine-track EP, Suga. On much of Suga, Meghan is entertaining and unapologetic AF. Her more melodic moments are enjoyable enough but don’t end up packing quite the same punch.

“Ain’t Equal”

✓ “Ain’t Equal” kicks Suga off in LIT fashion, even clocking in under two-and-a-half minutes in duration.  Megan Thee Stallion comes out swinging; her flow is aggressive and confident.  As far as the rhymes are concerned, they’re agile, sexed-up, tough-as-nail, and unapologetic to the nth degree.  She rides the sleek, up tempo, minor-key production by Helluva capably.

“I’m that bitch / Been that bitch, still that bitch / Will forever be that bitch.” Sigh, as expected, Megan Thee Stallion is indeed ‘savage’ on ✓ “Savage.” As electrifying as the aforementioned intro and intro lyrics are, it’s the kick ass chorus that truly makes the record a certified bop:

“I’m a savage
Classy, bougie, ratchet
Sassy, moody, nasty
Acting stupid, what’s happening?
Bitch, what’s happening?” 

“Captain Hook” 

On ✓ “Captain Hook,” Megan Thee Stallion offers more of the same: boldness, fierceness, and most of all, a heaping dose of S-E-X. Exhibit A:

“Dance on the dick, now, you been served
I like a dick with a little bit of curve
Hit this pussy with an uppercut
Call that nigga Captain Hook.”

Wow… certainly not transcendent, that’s for sure.  She doesn’t stop there, mind you, whether her and a “bi chick… [are] just trying shit” or her desire for “Mr. Clean, make that pussy beam.” “Captain Hook” is a banger, albeit it an absolutely, filthy one.

Softening the hard-nosed tone of Suga, at least marginally, is “Hit My Phone” featuring Kehlani.  Megan remains true to self, but post- “Captain Hook,” contextually, she’s not quite as raw, excluding, say, the not-so-innocent double entendre, “I be drinkin’ out the bottle and I need a mouthful.” As for Kehlani, she sounds marvelous on both the second verse and most notably, the chorus.

“B.I.T.C.H.” 

“I’d rather be a B-I-T-C-H (I’d rather keep it real with ya) / ‘Cause that’s what you gon’ call me when I’m trippin’ anyway.” Megan Thee Stallion indeed keeps it real on ✓ “B.I.T.C.H.”, where the title says it all.  If that’s not enough, the aforementioned excerpt provides confirmation, continuing, “You know you can’t control me, baby, you need a real one in your life / Them bitches ain’t gon’ give it to you right.” Even though she’s bold lyrically, “B.I.T.C.H.” features a smooth, chill backdrop that contrasts her edginess superbly (Helluva Beats + Bootsy’s Rubber Band (“I’d Rather Be with You”) and 2Pac (“Rather Be Ya N__”)).

Megan is on-point from the opening tip.  On the first verse, she unloads a bullet with the line, “Why you wanna play with me? You know I’m undefeated / A real hot girl know how to keep a nigga heated.” Day-um! On the second verse, the attitude remains potent:

“I got my mind on getting’ paid, we ain’t spoke in some days
He probably thinkin’ I’m in pain, but I’m really on game
Ain’t no nigga finna stop me, independent, I got me.”

“B.I.T.C.H.,” like most of Suga is bold and explicit, but Megan certainly delivers.

“Rich”

“Rich,” truly has a tough act to follow – “B.I.T.C.H.” is the crowning achievement after all. “Rich” on the other hand, is the briefest record on Suga, just crossing the one-and-a-half-minute mark.  Essentially, on this banger, Megan asserts herself as an independent, “Rich bitch with some rich friends.” Also, for good measure, she asserts herself as a “Boss bitch,” and she “don’t need help.” Gunna assists on “Stop Playing,” a record produced by The Neptunes.  As expected from a production by the Neptunes, the sound is quite unique, including the hypnotic, looped synth and of course the rhythmic beat.  Megan is more melodic here, and Gunna takes a similar approach.  It’s okay, but it won’t change your life, which is kind of the case with the remainder of Suga.

The Neptunes stay aboard behind the boards on “Crying in the Car,” an even more melodic effort from Megan Thee Stallion.  As far as the production, it’s still minimalist but a bit more compelling than “Stop Playing.”  As far as Megan is concerned, she’s not quite as potent here compared to the edgy bangers she unleashes early on.  She trades out The Neptunes for J Tabb and Timbaland on yet another melodic joint, closer “What I Need.” Like most of Suga, “What I Need” delivers a catchy chorus.  It’s not deep or transcendent mind you, but catchy.

Final Thoughts 

So, how does Suga stack up? Megan Thee Stallion has her fair share of moments, primarily the edgy bangers like “Captain Hook” and the crown jewel, “B.I.T.C.H.”  The more melodic moments aren’t nearly as impressive, even as Megan attempts to showcase her versatility. Still, Suga is entertaining overall, even if it fails to be a game changing or life changing event.  

✓ Gems: “Ain’t Equal,” “Savage,” “Captain Hook” & “B.I.T.C.H.”

[usr 3.5]

Megan Thee Stallion • Suga • 1501 Certified Ent LLC / 300 Entertainment • Release: 3.6.20

Photo Credits: 1501 Certified Ent LLC / 300 Entertainment