Young Thug Revolutionizing Hip hop… Unintentionally

Young Thug has recently dropped his newest mixtape Jeffery. The mixtape is a great one and I can already picture myself hearing many of these tracks in the club while sipping on my rum and coke. Although full of bangers, the tape is somewhat strange as well. Firstly, the songs are all named after idols of his, which apparently include Wyclef Jean, Kanye West (which features Wyclef), Riri, and Harambe. Why is Harambe one of Young Thug’s idols? I doubt that we’ll ever know because the lyrics to the song have nothing to do with Harambe or gorillas.

However, the aspect of this mixtape that has drawn the most attention is the cover.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJjTYh6B6zc/?taken-by=thuggerthugger1

On the tape’s cover art, the Atlanta rapper is seen posing unapologetically in a dress designed by Alessandro Trincone. Young Thug has not given an explanation for this cover choice, but I don’t expect that he will. I also don’t think we should sit around waiting for any justification, because none is needed. His intention could be to challenge the idea of black masculinity or to acknowledge homophobia in hip hop.

Let’s be honest though, I think he’s just feeling himself in the garment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJlk_-KBeeR/?taken-by=thuggerthugger1

And that’s okay. Although the second the mixtape dropped the cover became a meme, whether he knows it or not, this is a huge statement being made, impacting many people and their perception of hip hop. I am living for it. His style is reminiscent of when a young Prince first broke into the scene in the late 1970’s wearing nothing but a speedo and high heels and stayed true to those heels until his death.

https://twitter.com/itsbizkit/status/768984949584191489

Take a look at the comments under either of the Instagram photos that he posted and you will see a flood of hate comments that outnumber the ones in support of the rapper’s choice. Most of the comments are simply calling him gay, showing that even in 2016, being gay carries a negative connotation to certain groups.

If people, mainly fans, weren’t questioning Young Thug’s desire to integrate women’s clothing into his style already, then this mixtape has the potential to separate fans into those who might stop listening to his music altogether, and those who are now curious enough to google terms like “gender fluidity.”

https://twitter.com/VH1PNUT_/status/769274329007697920

Keep being you, Young Thug.

Listen to my favourite track, Kanye West, below.