Album Review: On the Rvn

Just a month after the release of the very anticipated Slime Language, Young Thug dropped the aptly named project On The Rvn as the rapper awaits his arraignment for eight felony charges, seven of which were drug-related and one of which was firearm related. Despite Thug’s fresh legal issues, the Atlanta rapper managed to put out some of his best, most versatile work that we’ve seen yet.

Thugger’s On The Rvn E.P. is comprised of six songs, all of which are produced by his go-to producers London On Da Track and Wheezy. Although Elton John is undoubtedly the most notable feature artist on the project, we also see features from names like Jaden Smith, 6lack, T-Shyne and Offset, who is being added on soon. Young Thug’s “High” took Elton John’s vocals from a sample of his song “Rocket Man” and used them to create a groundbreakingly melodic rendition of the classic track.

The opening track, titled “On The Run,” sets the project’s theme of the rapper’s increasingly troublesome legal struggles as Thugger sings, “I’m on the run, *****, I just took off on the cops.” DeKalb County police issued a felony warrant for the rapper’s arrest just one day after Thug announced his third project of the year, On The Rvn. Although Young Thug is no stranger to legal trouble, these charges and his arrest were disappointing news for fans everywhere.

Jaden Smith’s appearance on “Sin” marks the first collaboration between the up and coming rapper and Thug, who both performed as supporting acts on J. Cole’s KOD Tour. The young rapper proved his worth on the tape as he and Thug traded verses between each insertion of the hook. In order to keep up with Thugger, the emerging rapper definitely had to bring the heat to this track, which he proved able to do.

“Climax,” perhaps the trendiest song from the tape, serves as the first collaboration between Young Thug and fellow Atlanta artist 6lack, who recently paid tribute to Thug on his sophomore album with the track “Thugger’s Interlude.” Following 6lack’s typical style and flow, the collaboration track softly vocalizes aspects of the rappers’ love lives. Young Thug, living up to his reputation as one of the most flexible musicians of the generation, shows off multiple flows and styles throughout the project.

Overall, the six-track project was one of the best of the year, especially from Young Thug. On The Rvn displays Thugger’s continued relevance in pop culture and proves that the aging rapper still has the fuel to create more high quality music. Whether you’re looking for Young Thug’s monumental 2015 trap flow or his more modern, vocalistic style, On The Rvn has it all. Be sure to give it a listen if you haven’t already; this tape has something for everyone.