Ty Dolla $ign – TYCOON (Album Review)

Ty Dolla $ign proves he can straddle hip-hop and R&B with ease, delivering catchy hooks and club-ready production, though the album isn’t without its flaws.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. WHAT I WANT (Ft. Lil Wayne)

This is the Ty Dolla $ign I would offer a max contract to.

I can already picture people ready to curse me out for putting this one in my top 5 — but honestly, this is the Ty Dolla $ign I like the most. On “WHAT I WANT,” he drops one of those hook-heavy performances that instantly sticks, riding over a punchy Mustard beat that practically whoops your ears’ feet.

Sure, Ty’s verses are a bit on the “meh” side — his delivery is laid-back and almost too unbothered — but that’s kind of the point. He’s flexing, talking about juggling women, keeping his gun close, and avoiding love like it’s the plague. It’s some unapologetically toxic s**t.

Then comes Lil Wayne, closing the track with a flurry of punchline-heavy bars that still show flashes of the old Weezy brilliance. The only thing is… his voice sounds rough — like one of those anti-smoking commercials where the person tells you, “Don’t end up like me.”

Please give me more of this Ty Dolla $ign, and less of Playboi Ty Dolla $ign.

4. SHOW ME LOVE (Ft. Tory Lanez)

Why does Tory Lanez’s verse feel like some posthumous s**t?

“SHOW ME LOVE” comes equipped with production that blends a nice bounce with soft, silky textures that make it easy on the ears. Ty Dolla $ign kicks things off with a verse about living that wild, rockstar life — full of drugs, women, and chaos — though, lyrically, it’s a little on the basic side.

Tory Lanez slides in with his signature melodic flow, delivering a confident verse packed with lines about his shooters, fast living, and the reckless freedom he enjoys. He definitely adds a bit more personality to the mix.

The real highlight, though, is the chorus — It’s catchy as hell and smooth. All in all, this is vintage Ty, but I think I need a little more.

3. DON’T KILL THE PARTY

“DON’T KILL THE PARTY” sounds diabolical. Like Ty Dolla $ign made the track in the same lair where they chased Kruger.

For me, it’s the production that really steals the spotlight on this one. “DON’T KILL THE PARTY” comes packed with a diabolical BNYX beat, blending trap drums with mechanical textures that sound straight out of a disorderly night in the club. Ty Dolla $ign glides across the instrumental with his signature mix of smooth vocals and sharp delivery, rapping about living in the moment and indulging with women who switch up more than the Jets roster. Quavo follows suit, adding that unmistakable Southern flavor — his melodic, high-energy flow feels like he’s in full spazz mode, delivering lines with confidence and rhythm. Throw in a few well-placed Three 6 Mafia samples, and you’ve got a record that’s pure gold.

2. SMILE BODY PRETTY FACE (Ft. Kodak Black & YG)

Why do I get the feeling Ty Dolla $ign and YG had Kodak Black looking like Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places” while recording this track?

The track kicks off with a grand, almost cinematic intro before launching into a bouncy, LA dance-inspired beat. Ty and Kodak take turns in an unusual sing-off, complimenting women in ways that mix romance with bluntness. Ty eventually dominates the verse with a passionate performance, focusing on the balance of emotional and physical love.

Kodak Black pops in sporadically, his delivery unpredictable and raw, adding a messy energy that contrasts with Ty’s smoother flow. YG closes the track with a sly, aggressive verse, pushing the lyrics into more provocative territory with references to lust and indulgence.

Overall, “SBPF” is unorthodox in its structure and collaborators. Somehow, the s**t works, though.

1. ALL IN

Negro, if you haven’t gotten grinded on while listening to “No Letting Go” by Wayne Wonder, you haven’t lived life.

I’m not going to hold you — from a nostalgic standpoint, “ALL IN” really hits home for me. It flips the iconic Dancehall-inspired Diwali Riddim, the same beat that dominated every other radio hit back in the early 2000s. That touch alone brings instant throwback energy, but Ty still manages to make it feel fresh and his own.

Sounding a little nasally and vulnerable, Ty Dolla $ign slides between different vocal tones and flows, blending smooth crooning with melodic grit. Lyrically, he leans into his lover-boy side, talking about showering his main chick so much she might just end up dehydrated.

What I love most is how the track balances nostalgia and innovation. It gives you that early-2000s bounce while staying true to Ty’s modern, textured sound. It’s catchy, addictive, and straight-up timeless.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. CAN’T BE FUCKED WITH (3/5)

2. DON’T KILL THE PARTY (Ft. Quavo) (4.5/5)

3. DECEMBER 31ST (Ft. A$AP Rocky) (4/5)

4. SMILE BODY PRETTY FACE (Ft. YG & Kodak Black) (4.5/5)

5. SHOW ME LOVE (Ft. Tory Lanez) (4/5)

6. TYCOON$ (Ft. Lil Baby & Young Thug) (4/5)

7. ALL IN (5/5)

8. TWITCH (Ft. Tyga & 2 Chainz) (4/5)

9. WHAT I WANT (3.5/5)

10. SAY IT (Ft. Rema) (4/5)

11. ON REPEAT (Ft. Destroy Lonely & Rich The Kid) (3.5/5)

12. HARDER (4/5)

13. MIXED EMOTIONS (Ft. Leon Thomas & Travis Scott) (4/5)

14. WIT IT (Ft. Chloe) (3.5/5)

15. I WISH (Ft. Big TC & Sunday Service Choir) (4.5/5)

RGM RATING

(80%)

Ty Dolla $ign has always been a forward-thinker when it comes to bridging the gap between hip-hop and R&B. He moves effortlessly across soundscapes — from trippy production to LA club bangers to trap-heavy instrumentals — proving his range as an artist.

At his best, Ty shows flashes of brilliance as a vocalist, delivering smooth, soulful hooks that can hang with the best in the game. But too often, he slips into a nonchalant delivery that pairs with his overly familiar subject matter — juggling women, throwing parties, and occasionally catching smoke. It works, but it’s starting to feel recycled.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this project is the overload of features. I’m fine with the West Coast staples like YG, Tyga, and Mustard — and Kodak Black’s offbeat energy actually fits — but the rest feels like unnecessary clout chasing. I don’t need Destroy Lonely or Rich The Kid anywhere near this.

Is the album enjoyable? Absolutely. It’s full of catchy R&B bangers and replayable moments. Still, I can’t help but feel Ty is capable of much more. I want to hear him stretch creatively, dig deeper, and stop chasing the modern wave — because he is the wave when he’s fully in his element.

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