Could this be the project that finally earns DaBaby his way back into hip-hop’s good graces?

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STREAM

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. CLEAR THIS SHIT

Say what you want, but rapping over a loopy flip of the “Flashing Lights” beat is bold as hell. What’s even crazier is how DaBaby completely blacks out on it, unloading bars nonstop about being the best in the game and somehow getting Ye to clear the very beat he’s rapping on. Salute.

4. POP DAT THANG

“POP DAT THANG” rides a bouncy, early-2000s-coded beat that feels cut from the same cloth as “Swing My Way,” complete with a ratchet woman in the background who sounds like an All-NBA twerker in her prime.

DaBaby slides in with a surprisingly relaxed delivery, prioritizing riding the beat over his usual aggression. His bars circle around wanting to go the distance with a chick who has more moves than prime MJ in the bedroom, with a few slick shots about stealing girls that aren’t his. Overall, this is just a fun track to listen to.

3. LETTER TO MY YN

I just f**k with what this track represents. DaBaby is really giving YNs worldwide game, breaking down how they should move and carry themselves. I love how calm, focused, and almost robotic he sounds over the hard-hitting, Houston-inspired production—it makes the message hit even harder.

2. #1 NIGGA

Is the singing on this track great? Nah, not really. But the chorus melody is undeniably strong. Pair that with production that balances soft, bass-heavy vibes, and DaBaby coming through with an animalistic verse, and the track still hits hard.

1. PAPER LOW

“PAPER LOW” leans on smooth, R&B-inspired production with a subtle crying sample, giving the track an emotional, reflective vibe. Over it, DaBaby stays focused and intentional, rapping about resilience, learning from losses, and standing up for those from similar backgrounds. Even if you’re not usually a fan, it’s a well-executed, strong record that shows growth, discipline, and hunger.

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SONG BY SONG RATING

1. STICKS AND STONES (INTRO) (4/5)

2. POP DAT THANG (4/5)

3. WHAT ABOUT ME (4/5)

4. POOTIE TANG (3/5)

5. DON JULIO LEMONADE (3/5)

6. MARINATING (3.5/5)

7. PAPER LOW (4.5/5)

8. OUT YA BUSINESS (4.5/5)

9. MAKE YOU MINE (Ft. Hunxho) (3.5/5)

10. SHAKE THE SPOT (2.5/5)

11. #1 NIGGA (4/5)

12. CLEAR THIS SHIT (4/5)

13. RAIN RAIN (3.5/5)

14. BENEFICIAL (3.5/5)

15. BABY DADDY MUSIC (3/5)

16. CRANK [SUMN] (2.5/5)

17. LETTER TO MY YN (4/5)

18. DON’T INSULT ME (Ft. Twin) (3.5/5)

19. PBJT (3.5/5)

20. BOOMERANG (Ft. Coi Leray) (2.5/5)

21. BOOM (2.5/5)

22. MIC CHECK (3.5/5)

23. KOBE IN 2009 (OUTRO) (3.5/5)

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RGM RATING

(70%)

DaBaby doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how versatile he really is. Yeah, he’s aggressive as hell a lot of the time, but he’s also an artist who’s never been afraid to flirt with different sounds. On this album, he throws a whole bag of styles at the wall — soulful beats, slow jams, dance-ready joints, knucklehead s**t, and everything in between. He even taps into some singing here, while constantly switching up his flows to keep things moving.

What he stays consistent with is his tone and subject matter. He always sounds like the same egomaniac we all rocked with at one point, never straying too far from talking about smashing whores and pressing his opps. That said, the moments where he slows down and gets a little introspective are easily the most enjoyable parts of the project. Those glimpses of honesty hit harder than the flexing.

As for the downsides, a few moments feel slightly forced, like he’s chasing fans that might not be there anymore (i.e., in “SHAKE THE SPOT” and “POOTIE TANG”). But when DaBaby keeps it a stack and just sounds like himself, he’s genuinely impressive. All things considered, he still has “it,” and this feels like a solid step toward earning back the love he once had.

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