This is the 2nd showcase compilation from Atlanta, Georgia record label YSL Records. Founded in 2010 by trap trailblazer Young Thug & having been distributed by 300 Entertainment since 2016, the label has built up quite a promising roster within the last 5 years. Their most notable acts being of course Gunna & Lil Keed. The crew’s first showcase compilation Slime Language came out in 2018 to mixed reviews & as the 3 year anniversary of that original project creeps up this summer, Thugger & the gang are taking another jab at it on Slime Language II.
“Slatty” is a great way to kick off the comp as Young Thug, Gunna, Yak Gotti & Lil Duke get together over a siren induced beat from Southside & Pvlace whereas “Ski” shows off the chemistry between Thugger & Gunna over a string-heavy instrumental from Wheezy & Outtatown. The duo’s dominance continues as they pair up with Travis Scott on “Diamonds Dancing” to show off their expensive lifestyles over a piano trap fusion from Turbo, but then Drake & Gunna get together for the spacious party anthem “Solid”.
Meanwhile on “Came & Saw”, we have Young Thug bringing Rowdy Rebel on for a short verse & a lengthy hook to speak on how “you can’t put dirt on someone that’s clean” on top of a Viking-esque instrumental. He later goes on to to trade bars charmingly back & forth with Gunna on the dystopian-sounding “Paid the Fine” that Cubeatz helped put together, but the Lil Baby verse at the beginning starts it off strong & YTB Trench’s finishes it off mediocrely.
“Proud of You” is clearly a remixed leftover from the Eternal Atake sessions Bugz Ronin handles that I actually enjoy, but then Thug & his brother Unfoonk hop on the country trap-flavored “Real” to talk about seeing their haters on the sideline. Karlae & Coi LeRay join forces for the cloudy R&B-tinged “I Like”, but then Lil Keed & T-Shyne manage to get Big Sean on the mystical-sounding “Warriors” to proclaim themselves as such.
“Pots & Pans” has a synth-heavy instrumental that I really enjoy & Lil Duke really shines on here, but ΠΔV comes in & delivers a flat robotic verse that throws the vibe off. The song “WokStar” goes into a more ominous direction as Strick & Skepta speak on their celebrity status, but then “Superstar” marks Young Thug’s return as he & Future talk about how everyone wants to be famous these days over an acoustic instrumental with some rubbery bass.
“Came Out” incorporates a xylophone in the production as Gunna & Keed vaunt but then YNW Melly, BSlime & FN DaDealer come together on “Really Be Slime”, which is easily the most generic song on the entire compilation. “Take It to Trial” was a fun choice for a lead single & I like it even more in the context of the album, but then “Trance” by Karlae & Yung Bleu is a super redundant sex tune even with Dez Wright behind the boards.
Sheck Wes, Yak Gotti & Yung Kayo deliver some underwhelming bars about drug/alcohol usage on top of a Taurus instrumental with a bit of a chopped & screwed influence to it during “G.F.U. (Get Fucked Up)”, but then the psychedelically-produced “Moon Man” finds Thugger & KiD CuDi getting together to compare life to a buffet. I prefer HiDoraah’s solo track “Como Te Llama” over the one she had on the first Slime Language as she melodically goes into detail about wanting to know more about her partner & the Dolly White solo cut “Reckless” is even better as she goes into a more grittier direction both lyrically & sonically for 92 seconds.
The penultimate track “That Go” by Meek Mill, T-Shyne & Young Thug is a hedonism ode with some prominent synthesizers & the album ends with a boring remix to “My City” by YTB Trench. The deluxe run makes up for it starting with “Slam the Door” by Young Thug & Gunna talking about the millions coming with a name while “Litty” by Young Thug & DaBaby proves to be less exciting even with the reference to WWE Hall of Famer, 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, WWE Hardcore Champion, IWGPヘビー級王座, the inaugural 6-time TNA World Champion, TNA X Division Champion & 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion Kurt Angle.
“No Slime” by Young Thug, Don Toliver & BSlime warns that the trio might get too comfortable although they assure everything will be ok while “Mil in Vegas” by Young Thug & ΠΔV offers a glimpse of both artists’ respectively lavish lifestyles. “Explosion” by Gunna, FN da Dealer & Yak Gotti acknowledges that everyone in their city knows that’s exactly what they be dropping while “Yessirskii” by Thug’s daughter Mego talks about fashion. The final bonus track “Mack Truck” by Young Thug & Jim Jones unites the ByrdGang & YSL for a generational trap heater spittin’ that g shit.
I was hoping for Slime Language II to be a step up above the predecessor, but it’s just as mediocre. Despite the label’s roster growing & improving, there are a handful of songs that should’ve been left on the cutting room floor. If YSL ever decides to do a Slime Language III at some point down the road, I hope it’s more well-curated.
Score: 2.5/5
Legends Will Never Die 