While this is definitely the case on the third track ‘Can’t Tell’, the guests outshine Thug to some extent.

When the beat, the chorus, and the feature all deliver, Young Thug doesn’t even have to make sense.Īs previously mentioned, features usually enhance Young Thug’s tracks. From the catchy trap instrumental to the infectious repetitions on the chorus (“Hunnid Bands, Hunnid Bands”), this MPA Duke-featuring track is bound to get stuck in your head. The second track of the album, ‘With That’, is a textbook example of Young Thug’s sound working to perfection. Technically, he’s an extremely versatile rapper, and makes sure to display this on ‘Barter 6’. Thug himself comes off super suave on this track, constantly varying his flow effortlessly. They appear more grounded, providing a contrast to Thug’s often airy and eccentric presence. The rapper always seems to shine a little bit brighter when accompanied by solid features. Young Thug and his mentor Birdman begin with ‘Constantly Hating’. If any rapper were to pose naked on an album cover in 2015, it would be Young Thug. On ‘Barter 6’ he continues in this now familiar style and the result is… decent. He has become known for his varied, often high-pitched flows, seasoning his tracks with some outlandish ad-libs. Since his career started in 2011, he’s been one of the most colourful and daring rappers in the game. One thing is clear: if any rapper were to pose naked on an album cover in 2015, it would be Young Thug. It was, though, quickly renamed after threats of legal action. After all, the mixtape was originally intended to be a spiritual continuation of Lil Wayne’s ‘Carter’ series, with the title ‘Carter 6’. Perhaps the album art, and the particular placement of the album title, are reflective of the now ambivalent relationship Thug has with his once favourite rapper. Lil Wayne even distanced himself from it, stating publically: “Stop listening to songs of n***** who pose naked on their motherfucking album covers”. Moreover, while the project is intended as a tribute to Lil Wayne (Young Thug’s idol growing up), the artwork is not.

This, however, does not mean we get to hear a stripped down, emotional Young Thug. It features a naked, blonde-haired Young Thug with several gold chains around his neck, the title covering his genitals. What the artwork of ‘Barter 6’ is supposed to represent is not quite clear.

Album de young thug barter 6