YG Says “It’s Easy To Make A Classic Album”

    Roughly one week after the release of Compton rapper YG’s debut studio album, My Krazy Life, the West Coast emcee appeared on Hot 97 to discuss his newly-released LP, the albums he listened to while working on My Krazy Life, and a possible Tyga reference during his freestyle on the Funkmaster Flex show.

    While expressing his distaste with some of today’s music, YG revealed that in his opinion it isn’t hard to create a classic album as long as you take your time and give an honest story.

    “It’s easy to make a classic album. Yeah, it just take time,” YG said. “I feel like if you give a nigga stories and all that on your album and it’s really like—no matter if it blow. Like Jay Z first album’s a classic, but it didn’t sell a lot…If you giving stories and it’s realistic like people feel it. And like ‘He ain’t lying.’ That’s a classic.”

    Prior to speaking on the characteristics that make a classic album, the My Krazy Life creator rattled down a list of classic albums he listened to for inspiration for his own project. Among the albums YG mentioned were 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ and Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001.

    “Yeah, I was listening to Doggystyle,” he said. “I was listening to Chronic 2001. I was listening to Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. And Ready To Die. You feel me? I was listening to that the whole time I was doing my album…I knew when it was time for that album shit I knew how to get into my little [mode]. So, I put in them albums, them classic albums.”

    In regards to a possible shot at fellow Compton rappers Tyga and Problem during his Funkmaster Flex freestyle last week, YG says he didn’t name any names, but informed those who may have felt they were alluded to to “take it how you feel.”

    “I mean, I don’t know. You gotta listen to the song, man…If somebody feel like I’m going to them, at them, take it how you feel,” the CTE World signee said. “I’m not saying no names or nothing. So, I don’t know…It’s no drama. If niggas feel like I’m dissing ‘em. You feel me? That’s how they feel. I ain’t say nobody’s name or nothing. You feel me?”

    Lastly, YG discussed his relationship with CTE World founder Jeezy. He credited the Atlanta rapper for his transition into the East Coast and Southern markets.

    “As far as the music, he let me do my thing. You feel me? Like he come in. He give me advice,” YG said. “But when I link up with him it was never a problem with the music…Just making the right moves and connecting with the right person. Cause I was on the West Coast. It was hard. It was hard for me on this side and the South. But then when I link up with Jeezy we start working. We did the mixtape, the ‘My Nigga’ record. Shit started clicking. And then he was at the label. Doing his stuff and going hard for me.”

    After a handful of delays, YG’s My Krazy Life was released on March 18 via CTE World/Def Jam Recordings. The album includes appearances from a number of West Coast-based artists including Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Ty Dolla $ign.

    RELATED: YG Says He’s Blessed To Be Living

    133 thoughts on “YG Says “It’s Easy To Make A Classic Album”

    1. If its so easy why his album is not considered a future classic album like Kendricks?
      I mean not even highly talked about…

    2. I think the article edited out a word. YG meant to say that its easy to make a classic weedplate. And that’s what it was.

      1. “YG’s album the next chronic.”

        Let’s see if it will still be mentioned and talked about 22 years later, then.

    3. remember when he was making songs like Toot It and Boot It and now he switched up and is back on the west coast gangsta shit.

    4. Delete GRODT from ur list then u good YG.I feel vindicated now. When GRODT came i never liked it. Hated the album.Everyone was kinda giving me a hard time for not feeling the album. 11 yrs later see the haters on Curtis done tripled. Now every MF saying they never liked Curtis or GRODT. No y’all M$% F$%^ did like the dude. Yall realized that he is a fraud like all ur other favorite rappers.

      1. I almost forgot to add that im a huge 50 Cent dickrider, that’s why i type rants about him on an article about YG. DAMNIT 50 WHY CAN’T YOU RESPOND TO JUST ONE THE THOUSANDS OF LETTERS I SENT YOU PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU PLEASE NOTICE ME 50 PLEASEE

    5. this is a great way to make people dislike you and stop pretending to like your basic ass formulaic music..when you have little to no talent, the worst thing u can do is act like you’re the next nas n putting out classic shit..be humble and people might give u a pass

    6. Ya Feel Me? You Feel Me? U Feel Me? Ya Feel Me? You Feel Me? U Feel Me? Ya Feel Me? You Feel Me? U Feel Me? Ya Feel Me? You Feel Me? U Feel Me? Ya Feel Me? You Feel Me? U Feel Me?

      Uuuh…. No.

    7. I quit working at shoprite and now I make $35h $80hhow? Im working online! My work didnt exactly make me happy so I decided to take a chance on something new after 4 years it was so hard to quit my day job but now I couldnt be happier. Heres what I do, http://www.Fb39.Com

      If its so easy why his album is not considered a future classic album like Kendricks?
      I mean not even highly talked about…

    8. I uh dunno yuh feel mehhhhh liek if summmoneee feel like i be goin at em you know what I mean I ainttt seh no nemz

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    11. This nigga talkin out his ass. Toot and boot in was shits. If its so easy to release a classic why this nigga not released on. Only rappers to release classics in the last fives years is Ross, Kanye and maybe J.Cole. Nigga work on ur flow and get ur game up before you talkin bout releasing classics.

      Bawse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      1. “Only rappers to release classics in the last fives years is Ross, Kanye and maybe J.Cole.”

        Replace Ross with Kendrick an you’d be correct.

      2. J Cole is a direct result of being the “first” artist Jay Z signed and they willed him two gold albums and a a fake place in the game.

      3. All of y’all stupid LMAO

        only kendrick and Freddie Gibbs released 5 star classics.

        niggas quick to say an album classic these days. i listened to YG’s album and NO FUCKING WAY is shit classic..

    12. I wish that artists outside of NYC stop trying to be politically correct, by giving Piggie Smalls fake props.

    13. You needs SKILLS as a requisite of classic.

      Gucci tell stories all day. He don’t have a classic album.

      You already starting off in the hole with that “My Hitta” garbage.

      1. “You already starting off in the hole with that “My Hitta” garbage.”

        Nah, he fucked up earlier with that Toot It & Boot It shit

    14. its not easy to make a classic..in 2014 everyone n their mom swear they got a classic until its dead and no one likes it. just bc u listen 2 classic shit doesn’t mean ull make a classic

      add yg to the every growing list of rappers in 2013/14 who say they got a classic only 2 fail in the end.

    15. LMAO at this clown. Since when its ok to say making a classic album is easy without ever actually dropping an album?FOH

    16. An album isn’t a classic because you say it is..
      An album is a classic because the fans embrace it and the material on it can stand the test of time.. Fuckin’ jabroni.

      1. “he did make one”

        Shut the fuck up forever you delusional nigga, you might as well tryna tell me Toot It & Boot It is the best rap song of all time lol

      1. ???? LMAO Says the Ja Rule fan/slash crab in the bucket. Get Rich is certified classic in these streets and in the burbs. LMAO. You haters are delusional.

      2. Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ is the reason why so many rappers sound like 50 nowadays.

        That album made a HUGE impact on Hip Hop

    17. An album has to be judged over time to be considered classic. You fucking peanut brains and these wack rappers need to read a dictionary study real classic albums!

    18. If making a classic is so easy then why aren’t the majority of rappers doing it? Newsflash, it’s because it isn’t easy. The term “classic” is thrown around too loosely nowadays

      1. A line from my nigga Jon Connor “I’m trynna give you classics, and not average, but nowadays niggas don’t know the difference” . Obviously YG don’t know what a classic is . He needs to go back and research more about hip-hop and it’s culture. Yes, not rap… hip-hop which is full of emcees and not rappers. Huge difference. Evcerybody’s a fuckin rapper even if you don’t rap. Anyways @ A-Game I totally agree lol.

      2. “YG’s fans seem to think its a classic.”

        Doesn’t mean anything. A classic is something that wins people over, is universally accepted, stands the test of time. It’s expected for your core fanbase to think your album is classic, but what’s the purpose if it’s ignored by people outside of that fanbase?

    19. He needs to take the dick out of his mouth when he talks..Sounding like u have a mouthful of dicks is not whats up

    20. Cypher, NOBODY GIVES A FUCK ABOUT HOT 97. Ya lost the city. We wasn’t checking the website for this wack ass rapper. Hot 97 loves to push wack ass rappers and show NO LOVE to NYCrappers that are nice! That station needs to die already!

      1. YG and Freddie are good fuck you mean. Jeezy don’t have rap henchmen, none of them were with CTE to be Jeezy’s bitch. They’re there to get money. He better handle his own beef

    21. This dude’s straight up on crack. Album tanked. No good singles, yet he’s talking classic, and comparing it to albums that sold millions.

    22. Let’s all be real 50 is a one hit wonder. Get rich or die trying was his best album. I still bump them tracks till today. Besides that piggy bank was dope but we all know kiss Jada kiss bodied 50 on animal diss!

    23. He’s right though. there’s a formula to it. Give the album personality and not lifeless like a mixtape. Thats what everyone has been fiending to hear

    24. Doggystyle wasn’t no classic album. Illmatic wasn’t no classic album. Reasonable Doubt wasn’t no classic album. Hard To Earn wasn’t no classic album. All Eyez On Me wasn’t no classic album. Ready To Die wasn’t no classic album. Port Of Miami is a classic album. Trilla is a classic album. Deeper Than Rap is a classic album. Teflon Don is a classic album. God Forgives, I Don’t is a classic album. Mastermind is a classic album.

      1. and this is why no one has ever or will ever take you seriously on HHDX.

        you are a white teen living in his momma’s basement in the suburbs.

      2. You’re wrong, sir. I am Ross’ closest confidante as well as one of his many talented ghostwriters. I am black and I reside in the hood.

      3. First half of your post: “wasn’t no” is a double negative, so you’re really saying that they are classics.

        Second half of your post: almost made me vomit.

      4. It sickens you to know that I am 100% right and that Rick Ross has made classic albums time and time again.

    25. YG Says “It’s Easy To Make A Classic Album” – says the kid who hasn’t made one yet.

      Everytime rappers come out their mouths to say they’ve made a classic album… they’ve already FAILED.

      How many times have we heard that shit only to be let down by bullshit. Rappers don’t understand the minute they utter that shit they set themselves up.

      The PEOPLE decide what a classic is.. NOT YOU. Every rapper thinks they’re the greatest shit on earth. No rapper thinks their shit is trash…. but there’s a lot of trash out there.

      You should have just said you’re going to make the best album you possibly can and left it at that.

    26. Last classic released was GKMC. and Im not a new Hip Hop fan I go back to the 80’s Planet Rock Days.

      1. he didn’t have to, the fans and critics did it for him, thats the best way to do it.

        when artists like DJ Khaled come out and says Rick Ross new album is a classic people tend to not believe it.

    27. Doesn’t mean anything. A classic is something that wins people over, is universally accepted, stands the test of time. It’s expected for your core fanbase to think your album is classic, but what’s the purpose if it’s ignored by people outside of that fanbase?

      Not every single person thought GKMC is a classic.

      1. I agree, it’s a great album for sure, a 9/10 imo with classic tracks like “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst”, but it’s hard to deem it a classic at the moment. The direction Kendrick’s going though, I’m not sure his reputation will hold together for much longer. I for one hate his delivery on his post-gkmc features. What the fuck yelling does for you? Makes you feel better about yourself? I never thought much wrong of it at first but the motherfucker’s doing it near every feature track now: Fragile, Nosetalgia, Control, Radioactive remix… Shit’s getting annoying already. I think Kendrick was in top form when he released Section.80 honestly. Now, he’s nowhere near that. Cats like Cyhi The Prynce (lyrics, wordplay), Big KRIT (lyrics, flow, introspection), Ab Soul (wordplay, punchlines) are all better than him right now imo. Kendrick’s falling off.

      2. Kendrick better not be shouting during his next album. That’s one of the reasons why eminem’s new work isn’t as good as his old ones.

    28. This generation disgusts me. It’s like a microwave, instant gratification type of group now….YG, if it was easy to make a classic album, then you were not working hard enough…point blank…

      Plus, the people deem it as a classic…you don’t!

    29. “Its easy to make a classic album.”

      Make one, then, nigga

      ^ comments should’ve been closed after this was said

    30. Watch the whole interview. He didnt call it a classic. everyone else is and yes i call it a classic. if you grew up on nwa, ice cube and the death row era this shit takes you back.

      1. Wrong. YG obviously said it was a classic and only delusional YG fans say it’s classic. Everyone else says it’s trash. If you listen to NWA, Ice Cube, and Death Row, this trash doesn’t take you back.

      2. It is indeed a classic. His fans make it a classic. As you said yourself, people determine whether its a classic and his fans say its a classic. This reminds you of snoop dogg and dr dre in his prime.

        Of course, you would probably over riding on yg’s dick if he was signed to aftermath. Quit hating on a guy who doesn’t know you.

      3. Wrong, dickrider. It’s not a classic, fans don’t make it a classic. Outside of delusional YG stans, no one is calling this a classic. This doesn’t remind anyone of Dre and Snoop. Quit dickriding a dude that doesn’t know you.

    31. Gotta give credit to YG. He accomplished the daunting task of making Mastermind seem like a great album.

    32. Its easy to make a classic album. Yeah, it just take time, YG said. I feel like if you give a nigga stories and all that on your album and its really likeno matter if it blow. Like Jay Z first albums a classic, but it didnt sell a lotIf you giving stories and its realistic like people feel it. And like He aint lying. Thats a classic.

      unfortunately for this dude, his album will stay garbage. His distaste for some of todays music? really!? HA! You fit in that category.

      1. Drake’s “Take Care” is nowhere near the quality that The Roots’ “Undun” was. The credibility of the Grammy’s as far as hip hop was already lost when they gave “Take Care” the hip hop award over “Undun”. “Undun” told a fleshed-out story in reverse chronological order, and it was very well executed and cohesive. That’s a classic. Drake couldn’t make an album like that even if he tried his hardest. I’m not bashing Drake either because most hip hop artists can’t. Drake puts out good albums 7-7.5/10 albums, but not classics.

    33. This Nigga really just say reasonable doubt didn’t sell? Going platinum ain’t selling? New niggas I tell ya

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