Detroit YB – “Losses 2 Lessons” review

Detroit, Michigan rapper & Hustle By Any Means Records founder Detroit YB returning after 4 years to release his 3rd studio LP. Breaking out by dropping the 3:13 & The Heart of My City EPs back-to-back almost a decade ago already, he would go on to follow it up with the full-length debut Hustle SZN & the sophomore effort caught himself finding Beauty in the Struggle. 4Closure was a great EP too & he’s back after so long to talk about him turning Losses 2 Lessons calling to make Jesus great again.

After the titular intro, the first song “A Talk with Jesus” starts up with a ghostly trap opener talking about desiring to connect with people on higher measures whereas “Mark 836” asks what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul. “Home Run” reflects on going from being to the backseat of the ride to the front & after the “Spoken Pain” interlude, “Adopted Pain” talks about being used to the style of living he’s accustomed to.

“Back Against the Wall” continues by proclaiming himself to be the one to call whenever anyone needs help making movement without breaking laws while “Aesthetics” talks about biters stealing his flow only to blow it because they can’t walk in his shoes. “The Vessel” featuring Fenesse the World finds the 2 teaming up to advise know where you’re going when leaving above the surface while “Toxic Whirlwind” talks about being meant to part ways with an ex.

After the “James 44” interlude, “Compromised” kicks off the 2nd half of the album by addressing his upbringings for almost 3 minutes whether it be starting out beatboxing or knocking someone up resulting in abortion while “13th Round” meshes some bells & hi-hats to talk about being in a whole different fight now. “Taking Up Space” works in some pianos & strings to buy himself peace after the pain he’s experienced while “Heaven Worth It” talks about those thinking like snakes still being serpents.

“Word Play” featuring Phenell puts their pens to the test seeing whose wordplay is the strongest while “Trip 2 Belize” takes a moment to think all by himself. After the “T.B.U.” interlude, “Thinking Bout U” recalls the first time he met his soulmate feeling like magic while “Neva Gona Lose” talks about not catching any Ls. “Make Things Right” soulfully wraps things up promising he’d fix things if he had his way.

It’s been quite some time since Detroit YB has had an entire body of work by himself excluding the Forever Soulo collaborative project with 1Way Monte over 21 months ago, but his transformation of Losses 2 Lessons breaks down his personal growth since the current decade nears the end of the halfway point taking us through the point of view of God himself providing tons of positive affirmations full of problem solving & healing.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Detroit YB – “4Closure” review

This is the 4th EP from Detroit emcee Detroit YB. Breaking out in 2017 after dropping his first 2 EPs 3:13 & The Heart of My City back to back. This was followed up by a full-length debut the following year entitled Hustle SZN & now after returning last fall with the sophomore effort Beauty in the Struggle, it’s only right for YB to re-emerge in the form of 4Closure.

“Keep It Real” starts off the EP on some trap shit talking about staying true to yourself while the song “Knock da Feelings” gets on some stripped back shit admitting to his ex that he misses her & probably pushed the limits. The penultimate track “For a Minute” somberly speaks on something he’s been waiting to say even though he’s still preparing for it while “Lost in Love” is a jazzy boom bap finisher talking about rising up & defeating every obstacle.

For those who enjoyed Beauty in the Struggle as much as I did, I think you’re gonna enjoy 4Closure for what it is & I’ll even say YB is becoming one of my favorites from The D right now. The introspective lyrical topics are as captivating as they were last time on that previous album & the production sounds a bit more crisper.

Score: 4/5

Detroit YB – “Beauty in the Struggle” review

Detroit YB is a 31 year old MC from Detroit, Michigan who broke out by dropping 2 EPs back to back: 3:13 & The Heart of My City in 2017. This was followed up with a full-length debut the following year entitled Hustle SZN but after being teased with a handful of singles, the founder of Hustle By Any Means Records has finally delivered a sophomore effort.

The “Manifestation” opener talks about controlling your heart because you’re the only one steering it over a wavy beat whereas the next song “Doors” talks about never offering his toes over a dark, bassy instrumental. After the “Rich Speaks Life” interlude, the track “Stuck in My Ways” talks about being unwilling to change over a keyboard-inflicted trap beat while the song “Hard Way” talks about how it takes some losses before you get it over a hypnotic instrumental.

The track “Guilty Pleasure” with OneWay Monte sees the 2 talking about how it’s time for them to switch up their methods over an acoustic trap beat while the song “Hell of It” talks about drinking for fun over a woozy instrumental. After the “Mama Talks Addiction” interlude, “The Addiction” discusses toxic living an euphoric beat while “The Jungle” is a short yet dope response to the murder of George Floyd.

The song “I Get Around” over a trap beat with some odd background vocals & an occasional woodwind while “The Vibe” with Fenesse the World is a decent romance anthem with an instrumental to set the mood right. The track “New Leaf” talks about losing his soul in the ghetto over a trap beat with some well incorporated Japanese samples & after the “Simone Energy” interlude, the penultimate song “Shift My Energy” talks about escaping the affliction in his life over a calming instrumental. The title track is a great way to send the album off as YB spits some wisdom over a soothing beat.

I’ve been waiting on this album all year & walking away from it, I can say I’m impressed with what we got. The features were alright, but YB‘s at his passionate & the production is on point for the most part as well. If you wanna hear a up-&-comer from the Motor City at his finest, then I recommend giving Beauty in the Struggle a shot.

Score: 3.5/5