I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders

On December 25, 2023, during an interview with Million Dollaz Worth of Game, Gaulden stated that his next album would complete his contract with Motown.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/748165-nba-youngboy-gillie-wallo-happiness-question-hip-hop-news|title=NBA Youngboy Surprised Gillie And Wallo With A Deep Question|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Alexandria|first=Lavender|date=December 26, 2023|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=December 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227043335/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/748165-nba-youngboy-gillie-wallo-happiness-question-hip-hop-news|url-status=live}} On January 27, 2024, Gaulden took to his Instagram to tease a new album that would drop on April 19 before sharing another teaser two days later and posting the album's trailer the following day.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/youngboy-never-broke-again-drops-off-catch-him-visual|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again drops off "Catch Him" visual|website=Revolt TV|last=Powell|first=Jon|date=March 26, 2024|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=July 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731194007/https://www.revolt.tv/article/youngboy-never-broke-again-drops-off-catch-him-visual|url-status=live}} On March 17, Gaulden shared the album's official artwork and title, expected to release on April 19.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/776528-nba-youngboy-announces-new-album-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-hip-hop-news|title=NBA YoungBoy Announces New Album, "I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Cole|first=Blake|date=March 17, 2024|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=March 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327025101/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/776528-nba-youngboy-announces-new-album-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-hip-hop-news|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2024/03/18/nba-youngboy-announces-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-album/|title=NBA YoungBoy Announces I Just Got A Lot On My Shoulders Album|website=The Source|last=Grant|first=Shawn|date=March 18, 2024|accessdate=November 11, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=March 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318133148/https://thesource.com/2024/03/18/nba-youngboy-announces-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-album/|url-status=live}} However, just two days before the album's initial release, on April 17, Gaulden was arrested for charges ranging from continuous activity stemming from possession of controlled substances to possession of a deadly (dangerous) weapon and identity fraud.{{Cite magazine|last=Shanfeld|first=Ethan|date=April 17, 2024|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again Arrested in Utah on Weapon, Drug Charges|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/nba-youngboy-arrested-utah-gun-drug-charges-1235973951/|magazine=Variety|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417155726/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/nba-youngboy-arrested-utah-gun-drug-charges-1235973951/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Fox|first=Derick|date=April 17, 2024|title=Rapper NBA YoungBoy booked into Cache County jail for 'pattern of unlawful activity'|url=https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/rapper-nba-youngboy-booked-into-cache-county-jail-for-pattern-of-unlawful-activity/|website=ABC4 Utah|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417145744/https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/rapper-nba-youngboy-booked-into-cache-county-jail-for-pattern-of-unlawful-activity/|url-status=live}} While incarcerated, Gaulden entered a guilty plea for his Baton Rouge federal firearm charge stemming from 2020,{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=Kevin|title=Baton Rouge rapper NBA Youngboy expected to enter guilty plea in federal case|url=https://www.wafb.com/2024/08/16/baton-rouge-rapper-nba-youngboy-expected-enter-guilty-plea-federal-case/|date=August 16, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|website=WAFB|language=en-US|archive-date=August 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816225028/https://www.wafb.com/2024/08/16/baton-rouge-rapper-nba-youngboy-expected-enter-guilty-plea-federal-case/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Sam|title=NBA YoungBoy's Federal Gun Case Moved To Utah After He Agrees To Guilty Plea|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-federal-gun-case-moved-utah-guilty-plea|date=August 20, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|website=HipHopDX|language=en-US|archive-date=August 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820182135/https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-federal-gun-case-moved-utah-guilty-plea|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Bruce|first=Matt|title=NBA YoungBoy accepts weapons plea, agrees to have fed case moved from Baton Rouge to Utah|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/nba-youngboy-agrees-to-plea-as-fed-gun-case-shifts-to-utah/article_596c0026-5e4c-11ef-90ac-23fbacee19ce.html|date=August 20, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|newspaper=The Advocate|language=en-US|archive-date=August 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820183118/https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/nba-youngboy-agrees-to-plea-as-fed-gun-case-shifts-to-utah/article_596c0026-5e4c-11ef-90ac-23fbacee19ce.html|url-status=live}} before eventually being sentenced to 27 months in prison, resulting in fans believing that the album would be postponed until Gaulden's release.{{Cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Preezy|title=NBA YoungBoy Receives Prison Sentence In Federal Gun Possession Case|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/nba-youngboy-prison-sentence-federal-gun-possession-case-1234919561/|date=September 10, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|magazine=Vibe|language=en-US|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910193509/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/nba-youngboy-prison-sentence-federal-gun-possession-case-1234919561/|url-status=live}}

While incarcerated, Gaulden's iCloud was hacked, resulting in a series of leaks while incarcerated, consisting of music, music videos, vlogs, behind-the-scenes footage, and text messages. Due to the untimely leaks, Gaulden and his management announced on November 8, 2024, that the album would be released on December 6, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/106251/20241108/nba-youngboy-drops-5-new-tracks-youtube-inspiring-viral-praise-japanese-fans.htm|title=NBA YoungBoy Drops 5 New Tracks on Youtube, Inspiring Viral Praise from Japanese Fans|website=Music Times|last=Barba|first=Rovelyn|date=November 8, 2024|accessdate=November 9, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=November 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108144912/https://www.musictimes.com/articles/106251/20241108/nba-youngboy-drops-5-new-tracks-youtube-inspiring-viral-praise-japanese-fans.htm|url-status=live}} Simultaneously, the album's first eight tracks were released on Spotify. On December 4, the final eight songs on the album were revealed after the Never Broke Again Instagram page shared the album's tracklist.{{cite web|url=https://ratingsgamemusic.com/2024/12/05/nba-youngboy-unveils-official-tracklist-for-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders/|title=NBA YoungBoy Unveils Official Tracklist For I Just Got A Lot On My Shoulders|website=Ratings Game Music|author=Quincy|date=December 5, 2024|accessdate=December 6, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=December 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206215910/https://ratingsgamemusic.com/2024/12/05/nba-youngboy-unveils-official-tracklist-for-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders/|url-status=live}}

Leading up to the original release of the album on April 19, Gaulden released several promotional singles, several of which were expected to originally be on the album. On January 13, 2024, Gaulden released "Act a Donkey",{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-charlamagne-tha-god-diss-track|title=NBA YoungBoy Takes Aim at Charlamagne tha God on New Diss Track 'Act a Donkey'|website=HipHopDX|last=Singh|first=Karan|date=January 13, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114001955/https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-charlamagne-tha-god-diss-track|archive-date=January 14, 2024|url-status=live}} "Bnyx da Reaper" on February 2,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/759662-nba-youngboy-bnyx-da-reaper-hip-hop-news|title=NBA YoungBoy Murders The Beat On "BNYX Da Reaper"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Horvath|first=Zachary|date=February 2, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202193037/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/759662-nba-youngboy-bnyx-da-reaper-hip-hop-news|archive-date=February 2, 2024|url-status=live}} "We Shot Him in His Head Huh" on February 4,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/760471-youngboy-we-shot-him-in-his-head-huh-new-song-music-video-stream-hip-hop-news|title=NBA YoungBoy Gets Fiery Again On New Single "We shot him in his head huh": Stream|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Nevares|first=Gabriel Bras|date=February 4, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205212621/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/760471-youngboy-we-shot-him-in-his-head-huh-new-song-music-video-stream-hip-hop-news|archive-date=February 5, 2024|url-status=live}} "Fuck Niggaz" on February 7,{{cite web|last1=Horvath|first1=Zachary|title=NBA YoungBoy Spits Violent Bars On New Single "F*** N****s"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/761467-nba-youngboy-f-n-hip-hop-news|website=HotNewHipHop|date=February 7, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207204418/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/761467-nba-youngboy-f-n-hip-hop-news|archive-date=February 7, 2024|url-status=live}} "Closed Case" on February 16,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/764437-nba-youngboy-shares-new-song-closed-case|title=NBA Youngboy Shares New Song "Closed Case"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Spencer|first=Tallie|date=February 16, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216093629/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/764437-nba-youngboy-shares-new-song-closed-case|archive-date=February 16, 2024|url-status=live}} "No Time" on February 19,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/765743-nba-youngboy-no-time-hip-hop-news|title=NBA YoungBoy's Relentless Single Run Continues With "No Time"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Horvath|first=Zachary|date=February 20, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224130925/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com//765743-nba-youngboy-no-time-hip-hop-news|archive-date=February 24, 2024|url-status=live}} "Steppa" on February 22,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/766464-nba-youngboy-steppa-stream|title=NBA YoungBoy Delivers Menacing Bars On Surprise Single "Steppa"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Cole|first=Alexander|date=February 22, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225155443/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/766464-nba-youngboy-steppa-stream|archive-date=February 25, 2024|url-status=live}} "Boat" on February 28,{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/videos/youngboy-never-broke-again-boat|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again - 'Boat'|website=HipHopDX|date=March 4, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313212349/https://hiphopdx.com/videos/youngboy-never-broke-again-boat|archive-date=March 13, 2024|url-status=live}} and "Catch Him" on March 28. On June 10, while incarcerated, DJ Akademiks premiered "Tears of War", the album's outro and bonus track, revealing that it was the last song recorded by Gaulden before his untimely arrest.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-birdman-diss-tears-war|title=NBA YoungBoy Hits Out At Birdman Over Alleged Betrayal On New Song|website=HipHopDX|last=Moore|first=Sam|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610133516/https://hiphopdx.com/news/nba-youngboy-birdman-diss-tears-war|archive-date=June 10, 2024|url-status=live}} The song was later released to streaming platforms on July 26.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/828455-nba-youngboy-tears-of-war-stream|title=NBA YoungBoy Mentally Unloads On "Tears Of War"|website=HotNewHipHop|last=Horvath|first=Zachary|date=July 26, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727002729/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/828455-nba-youngboy-tears-of-war-stream|archive-date=July 27, 2024|url-status=live}}

Following Gaulden's arrest, releases came to a stop before his music began to leak. On November 8, 2024, while incarcerated, Gaulden released music videos for "Never Stopping", "Catch Me", "Missing Everything", "Sneaking", and "Killa Season" on YouTube.{{cite magazine|url=https://thesource.com/2024/11/21/youngboy-never-broke-again-tops-us-charts-ahead-of-new-album-release/|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again Tops US Charts Ahead of New Album Release|magazine=The Source|last=Grant|first=Shawn|date=November 21, 2024|accessdate=December 6, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=November 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121155104/https://thesource.com/2024/11/21/youngboy-never-broke-again-tops-us-charts-ahead-of-new-album-release/|url-status=live}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Simpson|first=Paul|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-mw0004414143|title=I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders Review by Paul Simpson|date=December 6, 2024|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 25, 2025|language=en-US|archive-date=March 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325201232/https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-mw0004414143|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Ratings Game Music

| rev2score = 64%{{cite web|author=Quincy|url=https://ratingsgamemusic.com/2024/12/07/youngboy-never-broke-again-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-album-review/|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again – I Just Got A Lot On My Shoulders (Album Review)|date=December 7, 2024|website=Ratings Game Music|access-date=December 8, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208161511/https://ratingsgamemusic.com/2024/12/07/youngboy-never-broke-again-i-just-got-a-lot-on-my-shoulders-album-review/|language=en-US|url-status=live}}

}}

Writing for AllMusic, in a mediocre review, Paul Simpson wrote that "the album lives up to its title" and that Gaulden's "vulnerable yet vengeful style hasn't changed much", stating that "he's essentially just giving his fans what they expect". Ratings Game Music{{'}}s Quincy wrote that the record "is quintessentially chaotic" and that it "[echoes] the erratic nature of both his artistry and personal life". Quincy continued that on the album, Gaulden is "introspective and vulnerable, hurt and vengeful, and, at times, menacingly aggressive". HotNewHipHop{{'}}s Elias Andrews wrote that the album "is not a cheerful affair" and that on the record, Gaulden "is feeling the weight of stardom and the weight of his lifestyle", however, "he's able to synthesize it in a manner that's compelling to listen to".

{{Track listing

| headline = I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Versace Shades

| writer1 = {{hlist|Kentrell Gaulden|Tavian Carter}}

| extra1 = TayTayMadeIt

| length1 = 2:49

| title2 = Never Stopping

| writer2 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Anass Bouali|Braylen Rembert|Phillip Campbell|Terrelle Francis Jr.}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|4reign|Ayo Bleu|SauceBoy|Say Terrelle}}

| length2 = 2:42

| title3 = Catch Me

| writer3 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Daniel Lebrun|Don Kwitflip}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|D-Roc|Manuel #1}}

| length3 = 2:24

| title4 = Hope You Make It

| writer4 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Jarrian Thompson}}

| extra4 = PlayboyXO

| length4 = 2:28

| title5 = Sneaking

| writer5 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Gene Hixon|Kajro|Kwitflip}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Al Geno|Kajro|Manuel #1}}

| length5 = 2:36

| title6 = Killa Season

| writer6 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Lebrun|Myeong Geun Song}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|D-Roc|Skolo}}

| length6 = 3:03

| title7 = Get It

| writer7 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Jason Goldberg|Joshua Parker|Bishop Grinnage|Jeremy Bradley|Louie Montana}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Cheese|OG Parker|Beezo|JB Sauced Up|Louie Montana}}

| length7 = 2:53

| title8 = Missing Everything

| writer8 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Benjamin Saint-Fort|Kwitflip}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Bnyx|Manuel #1}}

| length8 = 3:44

| title9 = Stealing Out the Trap

| writer9 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Lebrun|Sven Steenbergen}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|D-Roc|17OnDaTrack}}

| length9 = 3:46

| title10 = My Smoke

| writer10 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Michael Makho|Thomas Horton|Kevin Varol}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Michael Makho|TnTXD|Trill}}

| length10 = 1:53

| title11 = Blood on My Soul

| writer11 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Leburn|Gabriel Decastro|Sebastian Picchioni}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|D-Roc|Decastro|AyoCBass}}

| length11 = 3:02

| title12 = Adapted

| writer12 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Michael Roberge|Ethan Hayes|Aaron Hill|Malik Bynoe-Fisher}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Berge.af|Haze|LastWordBeats|MalikOTB}}

| length12 = 1:53

| title13 = Ma I Don't Cancel

| writer13 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Leburn|Simone Di Franco}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|D-Roc|Simo Fre|Samabaretta}}

| length13 = 2:44

| title14 = My Love

| writer14 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Kendale Carter}}

| extra14 = Shop with Ken

| length14 = 1:36

| title15 = Cook Dope

| writer15 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Roberge}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Berge.af|Str8cash}}

| length15 = 3:12

| title16 = Tears of War

| note16 = bonus

| writer16 = {{hlist|Gaulden|Ernest Wilson|Bobby Seale|Thomas Callaway-Burton|William Roberts II|Willie Hutchison}}

| extra16 = No I.D.

| length16 = 5:55

| total_length = 46:43

}}

Sample credits

• "Tears of War" contains a sample of "Tears of Joy", written by William Roberts II, Thomas Callaway-Burton, Ernest Wilson, Bobby Seale, and Willie Hutchison, as performed by Rick Ross and CeeLo Green.

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|title=I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders by YoungBoy Never Broke Again on Tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/403287039/credits|website=Tidal|access-date=December 6, 2024|language=en-US|archive-date=December 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206215406/https://listen.tidal.com/album/403287039/credits|url-status=live}}

Musicians

• YoungBoy Never Broke Again – vocals
• Kaye Fox – additional vocals (16)
• Steve Wyreman – guitar (16)
• Kevin Randolph – keyboards (16)

Technical

• Jason "Cheese" Goldberg – mastering, mixing, recording (3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16)
• Ray Seay – mixing (16)
• DJ Ryno – Dolby Atmos mixing (9–15)
• YoungBoy Never Broke Again – recording (1, 2, 4–6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16)
• Carlos Echeverri – recording (12), engineering assistance (1–16)
• Eddie "eMix" Hernández – recording (16)
• Rob Kinelski – recording (16)
• Graham Marsh – recording (16)
• Dee Brown – engineering assistance (16)

• 2024 in hip hop music

{{reflist}}

{{YoungBoy Never Broke Again}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2024 albums

Category:YoungBoy Never Broke Again albums

Category:Never Broke Again albums

Category:Motown albums

Category:Albums produced by Bnyx

Category:Albums produced by No I.D.

Category:Albums produced by OG Parker