YFN Lucci releases "650Luc: Gangsta Grillz"

Author: Eugene Robinson

Source of Photo: HotNewHipHop

10 years ago, DJ Drama dropped his last “Gangsta Grillz” project

Last Friday, YFN Lucci dropped a collaboration album with DJ Drama called “650Luc: Gangsta Grillz.” This project has a ton of notable features such as T.I., Trey Songz, Young Dolph, Jeezy, Fabolous, and more. Days before the release, he launched a release party in Atlanta at The Garage in Midtown. Lucci invited 60+ of his closest friends and influencers along with his featured artists to this event. Does Lucci have a heater this summer?

1. 650 Luc (Intro)

The album starts off with what could be an actual call or a skit between Lucci and Drama. Lucci calls Drama saying that he needs help to release this album because his label will not let him. Drama says “Let’s do this Gangsta Grillz” because they have seemed to have pondered the idea in the past. Lucci then asks what to call the album and Drama says “650 Luc” which goes back to his song released in 2018. Lucci agrees with the idea, the call ends, and fades into his song “650 Luc”

     2. I’m Gone, feat. Young Dolph
The first track of the album starts with an upbeat melody and Lucci comes with a rhythmic flow. The production behind this song goes tremendously well with Lucci and Dolph’s voices and flows. This song is a classic head bob type that Lucci tends to provide on all of his projects. Lyrics-wise, it’s the typical paper chasing we hear from Lucci.

     3. Turner Field (Stadiums)
Another upbeat melody and smooth flow come with this song. The chorus personally caught my eye with it being quite the catchy one. It sets the whole mood for the rest of the song. The 28-year-old rapper is well-known for his catchy and melodic chorus’. Lucci proves and has proven that he does not need a feature on a song for it to be great. This song is one of my favorites on the album. 

     4. Never Change
Production by AK comes with a beautiful piano melody with a great bass line as well. The 28-year-old artist raps about how he will never change for the people in his life, and he hopes that the people in his life won’t change up on him. This is a song that I can sit back and relax. Lucci has a soothing voice and flows well with the beat. 

     5. Trap, feat. Jeezy & T.I.
In the intro to this song, you hear DJ Drama essentially explain because someone is one thing, does not mean they are another thing. “Every street nigga ain't a rapper / Every rapper ain't a street nigga / Every dope boy in rap ain't a dope boy in the trap.” This statement fits into the song because all three of these rappers are former dope dealers. All three of these artists rap about their drug dealing days when they were younger. Bringing together all three of these rappers shows that Atlanta breeds all types of sounds. 

     6. Ride for Me, feat. Yungeen Ace
This track is the typical breakup song we hear nowadays about the love of his life running out on him for another guy whilst cheating with the same guy. The chorus of this song, by Yungeen Ace, also caught my eye. His flow over the beat is pleasant to listen to. I have never heard of him, but this song will have me look more into his music. 

     7. P.O.E.T.
Lucci goes back to the times when he was drug dealing and explains the difficulties of being a drug dealer. He is a true storyteller and makes it feel as if we lived it along with him. The guitar melody helps emphasize the “looking back” aspect of the song.  This album has shown that Lucci is versatile with his flows and how he can switch between rap and singing, and we aren’t even halfway through the album yet.

     8. All Night Long, feat. Trey Songz
Almost every song that features Trey Songz speaks about one thing and one thing only -- sex. This song is certainly not left out of that list. Both verses and chorus have vivid descriptions and metaphors about what they do “all night long.” This collaboration, believe it or not, is there first. They released this as a single a month earlier to the album. Hopefully, they collaborate in the future -- I will definitely tune in. 

     9. Backend, feat. Trouble
More versatility is shown with this song. Lucci has shown us that he can tell stories, sing about breakups, and now about flexing about how much money he has along with the artist Trouble. This is not your typical 2019, mumble rapper style about flaunting his money. This song probably sees what I think, Lucci’s best flow on the album and one of the catchiest choruses on the album. The YFN Lucci and Trouble collaboration is gold. I could listen to this song on repeat all day. 

     10. Used To
Lucci connects both his verses and the chorus well on this track. In his verses, he raps about the things he used to want which he now has and the chorus, he explains more things that he used to. Another great solo track by Lucci. 

     11. Skrrt Skrrt, feat. YFN Kay
I was never a fan of the YFN members besides Lucci and this song explains why. I am not too fond of Kay’s voice but his verse is not half bad. Although I don’t get a few of his references and has some weak punchlines, it’s not the worst verse I’ve heard. Both artists rap about their previous lives about living in the streets. Not a good song, but not a terrible song either. The production mainly helps this track sound appealing.  

     12. 200 Years (Interlude)
The nice, little 1:53 track is one long verse explaining what he would do for his dead homie. “For my dawg, I’d do a hundred years / Or two hundred years, I pray that God forgive me.” Lucci says that he wants to find the guy who killed his homie, and he doesn’t care how long he goes to jail. “A nigga done killed my dawg, now the tears all in my eye / For my dawg.”

     13. Pull Up With a 100, feat. Bloody Jay
YFN Lucci is known for his hustle in the rap game whether it’s releasing multiple singles in a short span or releasing albums. “Moral of the story, get commas.” Both artists flex about how much money they have by rapping about the things they own. This soothing beat helps out the track and has a chill vibe to it.

     14. Paid In Full, feat. Ink
This track is another one of Lucci’s storytelling songs. Here he speaks on the losses he has taken in his life, himself when he was poor, his problems, snitches, and having to take care of his family. Although this is a 3-minute track, Lucci has one large verse, with Ink singing the outro. This was one of the better collaborations on the album in my opinion. 

     15. Want It All, feat. Fabolous
Lucci and Fabolous, two musical geniuses, come together to make this great track. Everything about the song is great -- the lyrics, the production, the lively vibe. Produced by KE on The Track & DJ Lavish Lee, both artists rap about wanting all the money the can get. Although a classic YFN Lucci bop, this is yet another great song to listen to. 

     16. No Ceilings
Coming to the end of the album, Lucci expands on how he started from the bottom and through all the trials and tribulations, he still made it to where he is today in his first verse. “Elevation, all it took was dedication, information, and relation.” To get where he is, it takes hard work and sometimes — even the people you know. The way Lucci flows over this piano beat is exceptional and has a good message as well.  

     17. Wish Me Well Flow
Finally, to finish the album, he collaborates with the producer AK to perhaps create one of the best songs on the album. Without a doubt one of, if not, his best flow on the album. He has one giant verse on this track and raps about once again, his struggles while growing up. He seems to bring his whole album together with this one track. At the end of the song, Bigga Rankin says “Wish Me Well 3 is on the way.” This will be Lucci’s follow up album. 

All in all, this album never caught my eye when it dropped. It was hidden in the shadows of other music I was more excited to listen to. After listening to this album, I remember why I liked to listen to YFN Lucci and I highly recommend if you like artists who are versatile with their music.