The Baton Rouge rapper lets his guard down and lets listeners in

Baton Rouge rapper Fredo Bang has rarely shied away from honesty in his music. On the boldly titled Yes, I’m Sad, he takes that to a new level. Mixing defensive aggression with honest vulnerability, songs like “Come Thru” and the title track deliver bars about the pain that lingers even after achieving success. Demonstrating a willingness to let his guard down that’s rare in hip-hop today, he raps about lost friends and loved ones, taking care of those left behind. Hardship only seems to compel him further forward, evident on the purpose-driven hustle and grind of “Tina Turner”. Topically, the project moves from heavy moments to relative lighter ones, the latter encapsulated in the explicit smooth talk of “Drop It Low” and “Love & Relations”. To further his points, he links with the seasoned likes of Kevin Gates and Rick Ross while reuniting with “Trust Issues” cohort NLE Choppa, the latter’s “Sideways” soundtracked by a Jersey club swing.