Moneybagg Yo aims to solidify himself as one of the hottest rappers in the South with the release of “Time Served.”

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TOP 5

5. SPEAK 4 EM

“Speak 4 Em” is a hot-ass intro. Though it’s only 2:22, within that time, Moneybagg Yo convinced the world that he’s a boss that turns chicks out, buys luxurious s**t, gets respect from the realest, and totes guns.

I love how relentlessly yet playfully Moneybagg Yo hurls out his bars in “Speak 4 Em.” In reality, I wouldn’t be surprised if he counted his money while recording the song.

4. 1 2 3 (Ft. Blac Youngsta)

MoneyBagg Yo and Blac Youngsta = The hood’s Chip & Dale.

The chemistry between MoneyBagg Yo and Blac Youngsta in “1 2 3” is fantastic. I love how the former comes across as this smooth criminal that can give a damn about morals, while the latter comes across as this unchained individual that is willing to shoot anything that walks. The unchained individual gets most of the song, delivering a very animated, entertaining hook and forceful rap verses that perfectly match the menacing beat. The smooth criminal plays the back, which is cool because you should always let the dude who does too much do too much.

3. U Played (Ft. Lil Baby)

This song is special because it came out when MoneyBagg Yo and Lil Baby were at their peak.

While rappers can be occasionally annoying with their bragging, there are times when their confidence is justified. That said, in “U Played,” MoneyBagg Yo and Lil Baby appropriately call out deceptive women trying to outsmart them. They also criticize imitators and those who expected them to change after getting some change. The standout element of the track is the powerful club beat by Tay Keith. That s**t is actually dangerous. As for Baby and MoneyBagg, I appreciate how they seamlessly shift between an unbothered and slightly perturbed tone in their respective verses, demonstrating that there’s nothing more satisfying than proving hoes wrong.

2. Pop My Shit

Is there anyone better than Money Bagg Yo at popping s**t?

“Pop My Shit” features a bass-booming beat that just woke my pet iguana up from a power nap. Over it, Moneybagg Yo delivers bars about his big money, big cars, spoiled women, and guns (Hold up, didn’t he talk about the same s**t in “Speak 4 Em”?):

I think I’m the shit, big as it gets
Wrist cost a brick, I look like a lick
Dior kicks, Chanel on my bitch
Never mind me, I’m just poppin’ my shit
Keep that stick, that’s a part of my ‘fit
Championship rings, can’t ball up my fist

What stands out to me the most about “Pop My Shit” is its dark trap sound, yet, at the same time, the song is catchy and has its innocent moments. (I mean, seriously, what rapper do you know apologizes for cussing on a song?)

1. All Dat

MoneyBagg Yo and Megan Thee Stallion are a perfect match. Not only are they carefree individuals, but they are also two artists who are poppin’ heavily in the South. With that being said, “All Dat,” featuring the former couple, is an in-your-face/hard-hitting banger that boasts tons of sex talk, fighting words, and braggadocios moments.

I appreciate the chemistry Megan Thee Stallion and Moneybagg Yo display on this track. It appears they are in tune with each other’s sentiments about loyalty and luxurious living. Additionally, Megan’s ability to captivate with her sexy twerking in the music video nearly crashed my laptop (Her booty almost caused a few apps to close unexpectedly).

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Speak 4 Em (4/5)

2. U Played (Ft. Lil Baby) (4/5)

3. Pop My Shit (4/5)

4. Pistol By The Bed (4/5)

5. 1 2 3 (Ft. Blac Youngsta) (3/5)

6. Match My Fly (3/5)

7. Thinking Out Loud (3/5)

8. Federal Fed (Ft. Future) (3.5/5)

9. Bitch (3/5)

10. Protect Da Brand (Ft. DaBaby) (4/5)

11. Thug Cry (3.5/5)

12. Dem People Freestyle (3/5)

13. Real Luv (3/5)

14. Spin On Em (Ft. Fredo Bang) (4/5)

15. ALL DAT (5/5)

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OVERALL RATING

(C) (72%)

One aspect I appreciated, though not without reservation, about Time Served was Moneybagg Yo’s rapping. While the album consistently touched on familiar themes (wealth, romantic escapades, wielding firearms, and loyalty to the streets), he did keep the audience engaged with his clever punchlines and unwavering energy. I admire how he confidently takes control of each track, ensuring that the formidable beats he raps over never overshadow his performance.

It’s amusing how my expectations were subverted regarding Time Served. The tracks I anticipated to be exceptional, such as “U Played” with Lil Baby, “Protect My Brand” with DaBaby, or “Real Love” with Summer Walker, didn’t fully resonate with me. On the flip side, unexpectedly, I found myself enjoying the solo efforts like “Pop My Shit” and the collaboration with Fredo Bang titled “Spin On Em.”

The majority of the beats on “Time Served” exude a vibe reminiscent of what you might hear in a strip club. If you’re a high-rolling individual with an impressive speaker system, I strongly advise letting that setup work its magic by blasting this album

Moneybagg Yo has demonstrated far more versatility in his previous albums than what he showcased in Time Served. He seemed to experiment with a diverse range of trap bangers in his earlier works. However, on this album, I felt he opted for lackluster hooks, uninspired features, mediocre lyrics, and unremarkable production. Even the album title comes across as lackluster. I know MoneyBagg can do better than this!