NBA YoungBoy – MASA (Album Review)

NBA YoungBoy’s “MASA” is all Slime, no growth—and that’s the point.

STREAM

TOP 5

5. Shot Callin

NBA YoungBoy and Gelo need to link up ASAP.

I usually don’t love NBA YoungBoy tracks where he sounds like Dennis the Menace’s half-black brother, but “Shot Callin” really caught my attention. The track rides a punchy, bouncy, Louisiana-style beat that features GELO’s catchy “woah oh oh” sample from “Tweakin.” YoungBoy sounds more confident than ever, delivering bossed-up bars with a mix of carefree swagger and violent urgency. He bounces between sounding unbothered and completely locked in, letting us know he’s in his bag, down for a 20 v 1, and fresh enough to pull any chick. The unorthodox, extended chorus will definitely grab your ear, the beat will get you hyped, and lyrically, it’s YoungBoy doing what he does best.

4. Kickerboxer

Sidenote: Do people still kickbox? It feels like a lost art.

I was a late bloomer when it came to appreciating “Kickboxer.” During the album’s initial rollout, the track didn’t stand out to me as much, but it’s grown on me in a major way. The beat is triumphant and hard-hitting, instantly grabbing your attention with its energy. NBA YoungBoy delivers with authority, alternating between a spazzy, rapid-fire flow and a slower, more deliberate one that ensures his message cuts through clearly. He raps about stacking paper, commanding attention from women, and moving with confidence—and, refreshingly, he doesn’t lean too heavily into violent themes this time. Between the dynamic flows, the bold production, and a surprisingly catchy chorus, this one has serious replay value.

3. Where I Been

Dammit, YoungBoy, I said I wasn’t going to cry today.

You can argue “Where I Been” is the most dramatic track on this project. The track features production that has a nice tempo and trap vibes but these moody elements that will definitely make you feel something. NBA YoungBoy deliver one of his rawer performances (Pause). On the chorus, he delivers a defiant singing performance that centers around all that he has conquered, while on his raps, he uses this numb, Polo G-like rap style and speaks on his family, his time in jail, his lessons learned, and his relationship with God. I think the track is striking and heartwarming.

2. Fire Your Manager

Only Playboi Carti could make NBA YoungBoy take his rabies medicine.

“Fire Your Manager” slows the pace of the album dramatically, featuring an easygoing, almost mechanical trap beat that hands out laid-back energy like free lunch. Playboi Carti sets the tone early, tapping into his heavily distorted, Duke Dennis-esque voice to deliver a stretched-out verse that’s all about high fashion and the toxic allure of demon women. His flow is effortless, riding the beat with a carefree coolness that feels tailor-made for midnight drives or hazy flex sessions.

When NBA YoungBoy steps in, the song levels up. Ditching any vocal effects, he attacks the beat with his signature intensity and a rapid-fire delivery. His bars—touching on swinging irons and kicking it with 3-and-D type women—bring a grimy edge to the otherwise smooth backdrop. It’s the contrast between Carti’s hypnotic haze and YoungBoy’s raw energy that makes the track click. Altogether, “Fire Your Manager” is a mood-heavy standout that finds both artists comfortably in their respective bags.

1. If You Need Me

Who the hell left onions by the Gats again?

NBA YoungBoy taps into his emotional core on “If You Need Me.” The track features a dramatic, bouncy beat laced with heavenly undertones—something that wouldn’t feel out of place in Rod Wave’s catalog. A stirring vocal sample adds even more weight, setting the stage for YoungBoy to deliver one of his more heartfelt performances.

He balances both sides of his artistry here: the raw, passionate crooner emerges on the chorus and bridges, while his gritty, aggressive persona shows up in the verses. Lyrically, he reflects on his journey, his loyalty to the woman who’s been with him through it all, and the pain that shaped him. It’s the kind of track that hits deep for anyone who’s ever felt something real.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

1. My Shit (2.5/5)

Become an RGM+ Member!

Want to know what rating we gave each track? Subscribe below!

Become an RGM+ Member!

Want to know what rating we gave each track? Subscribe below!

20. If You Need Me (4/5)

21. MASA (3/5)

22. Kickboxer (4/5)

23. When Time Pass (4/5)

24. Priorities (4/5)

25. Peepin (3.5/5)

26. Diesel (3/5)

27. Shot Callin (4/5)

28. Finest (4/5)

29. Where I Been (4/5)

30. Top Tingz (3.5/5)

RGM RATING

(67%)

I might move to the UK like Rosie O’Donnell if they “Make America Slime Again.”

At this point in his career, NBA YoungBoy has carved out a lane so defined that veering from it almost feels unnecessary. On MASA, he doesn’t reinvent himself—he reinforces the brand. The Louisiana rapper sticks to what he knows: ruthless street talk, cold-hearted confessions about love, and endless reminders of his wealth and status. What’s different here, though, is what’s missing. Unlike past albums that made space for emotional vulnerability or sonic experimentation, MASA feels stripped down, both in theme and ambition.

That absence is oddly telling. There’s a sense that YoungBoy isn’t interested in stretching himself this time—not emotionally, not musically. Aside from a standout moment where he slips into a “white surfer” voice and spars stylistically with Playboi Carti, the album stays locked into the familiar. It’s gritty, aggressive, and uncompromising, but also somewhat predictable. MASA may not break new ground, but in its refusal to chase trends or appease critics, it solidifies YoungBoy’s stance as one of rap’s most stubbornly consistent voices.

Loading poll ...