Stay Dangerous
{{Short description|2018 studio album by YG}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Stay Dangerous
| type = studio
| artist = YG
| cover = YG Stay Dangerous.png
| released = {{Start date|2018|08|03}}
| recorded =
| genre = Gangsta rap
| length = {{Duration|m=50|s=21}}
| label =
| producer =
- DJ Mustard
- KJ Santana
- Mike Will Made It
- MP808
- TM88
| prev_title = Still Brazy
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = 4Real 4Real
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{singles
| name = Stay Dangerous
| type = studio
| single1 = Suu Whoop
| single1date = February 16, 2018
| single2 = Big Bank
| single2date = May 25, 2018
}}}}
Stay Dangerous is the third studio album by American rapper YG. It was released on August 3, 2018, by 4Hunnid Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from various rappers, including 2 Chainz, ASAP Rocky, Ty Dolla Sign, Quavo, Mozzy, Jay 305, Big Sean, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Nicki Minaj.
Stay Dangerous was supported by two singles: "Suu Whoop" and "Big Bank". The album received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200.
Promotion
On August 2, 2018, YG released a trailer for the album, inspired by Dos Equis's The Most Interesting Man in the World ad campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/08/02/yg-stay-dangerous-trailer|title=Watch YG's cheeky Stay Dangerous album trailer|work=The Fader|last=Hussein|first=Wandera|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074520/http://www.thefader.com/2018/08/02/yg-stay-dangerous-trailer|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}
Singles
The album's lead single, "Suu Whoop", was released for streaming and digital download on February 16, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/02/yg-suu-whoop-song/|title=YG Reminds Folks L.A. Is Not For Sale With "Suu Whoop"|work=Vibe|last=Hamilton|first=Xavier|date=February 19, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104017/https://www.vibe.com/2018/02/yg-suu-whoop-song/|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} Its music video was released on March 13, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/video/2018/03/yg-suu-whoop-video/|title=YG Kicks It Old-School in New Suu Whoop Video|work=XXL|last=Mojica|first=Nick|date=March 13, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074210/http://www.xxlmag.com/video/2018/03/yg-suu-whoop-video/|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}
The album's second single, "Big Bank" featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj, was released on May 25, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/yg-nicki-minaj-big-sean-and-2-chainz-team-for-new-song-big-bank-listen/|title=YG, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, and 2 Chainz Team for New Song "Big Bank": Listen|work=Pitchfork|last1=Wicks|first1=Amanda|last2=Strauss|first2=Matthew|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074440/https://pitchfork.com/news/yg-nicki-minaj-big-sean-and-2-chainz-team-for-new-song-big-bank-listen/|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} Its music video was released a month later.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-ygs-big-bank-video-with-nicki-minaj-big-sean-2-chainz-666098/|title=See YG's 'Big Bank' Video With Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, 2 Chainz|work=Rolling Stone|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=June 24, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074605/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-ygs-big-bank-video-with-nicki-minaj-big-sean-2-chainz-666098/|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}} It peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/yg/chart-history/hsi/|title=YG Chart History: Hot 100|work=Billboard|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811203644/https://www.billboard.com/music/yg/chart-history/hot-100|archive-date=August 11, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=YG&ti=BIG+BANK|title=Gold & Platinum|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|accessdate=August 4, 2018|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925042314/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=YG&ti=BIG+BANK|url-status=live}}
=Promotional singles=
The lead promotional single, "Handgun" featuring ASAP Rocky, was released on July 26, 2018, alongside its music video.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/yg-asap-rocky-handgun-video|title=YG and ASAP Rocky Join Forces on New Song "Handgun"|work=Complex|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803083104/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/yg-asap-rocky-handgun-video|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev5 = HipHopDX
| rev6 = Pitchfork
| rev7 = PopMatters
| rev8 = Rolling Stone
| rev9 = Slant Magazine
| rev10 = XXL
}}
Stay Dangerous was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 71, based on 16 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.5 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.
Isaac Feldberg of Entertainment Weekly praised the album saying, "YG's objectives across Stay Dangerous are more narrow and (for him) natural. Reuniting with long-time producer DJ Mustard for around half the album, YG is largely content to low-ride in his lane, swaggering across Bloods-allegiant bangers (electrifying "Suu Whoop") and incisive tell-alls from the hood ("Too Brazy" "Deeper Than Rap")." Jack Riedy of Consequence of Sound said, "Though it doesn't quite reach the heights of his first two, his new album, Stay Dangerous, is another solid project from one of the best on the West Coast."{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/08/album-review-yg-stay-dangerous/|title=YG – Stay Dangerous|work=Consequence of Sound|last=Riedy|first=Jack|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809213128/https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/08/album-review-yg-stay-dangerous/|archive-date=August 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Clayton Purdom of The A.V. Club gave the album a positive review stating, "It pretty much all works, in the way that all of YG's music works, anchored by superlative taste and a flow as versatile and reliable as T.I. in his prime." Meaghan Garvey of Rolling Stone wrote: "Mustard's beats here don't exactly reinvent the wheel, but they serve as hydraulics to YG's low-riding delivery; on "Too Cocky", the producer's minimalist West Coast bounce pairs perfectly with YG's unexpected and inspired Right Said Fred interpolation." Jackson Howard of Pitchfork saying "For YG, an artist we've come to expect the unexpected from, someone currently standing at a career-defining intersection, Stay Dangerous is an exercise in predictability."
In a mixed review, XXL{{'}}s Chris Gibbons stated: "Stay Dangerous doesn't quite feel like the grand statement of Still Brazy or My Krazy Life. It's a slight step back from a rapper who is capable of much greater. While the brief glimpses of his personal life aren't quite enough to elevate the project, it's worthwhile to hear him breezing over Mustard beats once again." In another mixed review, The Guardian{{'}}s Rachel Aroesti stated: "YG doesn't cover his subject matter with a huge amount of wit or creativity. Yet the rapper makes up for lyrical dullness with a sound that can be tantalising." Zachary Hoskins of Slant Magazine said, "The rigid codes of masculinity governing hardcore rap, though, keep YG's lyrics from showing as much range as Mustard's beats."
Commercial performance
In YG's home country of United States, Stay Dangerous debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 earning 56,000 album-equivalent units, which included 11,000 pure album sales in its first week.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8469748/travis-scott-astroworld-no-1-billboard-200-album-chart|title=Travis Scott's 'Astroworld' Bows at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart|work=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=August 12, 2018|access-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812225606/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8469748/travis-scott-astroworld-no-1-billboard-200-album-chart|archive-date=August 12, 2018|url-status=live}} It serves as YG's third consecutive top-ten album on the chart. In its second week, the album dropped to number 13 on the chart, earning an additional 23,000 units.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.48101/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minajs-queen-bows-down-to-travis-scotts-astroworld-on-billboard-200|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj's "Queen" Bows Down To Travis Scott's "Astroworld" On Billboard 200|work=HipHopDX|access-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002540/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.48101/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minajs-queen-bows-down-to-travis-scotts-astroworld-on-billboard-200|archive-date=August 25, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2018-08-25|title=Billboard 200 – 2018-08-25|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621010251/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2018-08-25|url-status=live}} On April 10, 2019, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000 units in the United States.
In Australia, the album opened at number 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart, becoming YG's first top 20 album on the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2018/travis-scott-scores-debut-1-with-astroworld|title=Travis Scott scores debut #1 with Astroworld|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812083024/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2018/travis-scott-scores-debut-1-with-astroworld|archive-date=August 12, 2018|url-status=live}} In Canada, Stay Dangerous debuted at number nine on the Canadian Albums Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2018/08/13/drake-unseated-no-1-travis-scotts-astroworld|title=Drake Unseated From No. 1 By Travis Scott's 'Astroworld'|publisher=FYIMusicNews|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210527/https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2018/08/13/drake-unseated-no-1-travis-scotts-astroworld|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live}} It serves as YG's second non-consecutive top-ten album in the country.
Track listing
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/92890253|title=STAY DANGEROUS / YG|publisher=Tidal|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074325/https://listen.tidal.com/album/92890253|archive-date=August 3, 2018|url-status=live}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Stay Dangerous track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 50:21
| title1 = 10 Times
| writer1 = {{hlist|Keenon Jackson|Dijon McFarlane}}
| extra1 = DJ Mustard
| length1 = 2:38
| title2 = Bulletproof
| note2 = featuring Jay 305
| writer2 = {{hlist|Jackson|Keith Stinson|Jay Cummins}}
| extra2 = KJ Santana
| length2 = 2:33
| title3 = Handgun
| note3 = featuring ASAP Rocky
| writer3 = {{hlist|Jackson|Bryan Simmons|Terrell McNeal|Rakim Mayers}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|TM88|MP808}}
| length3 = 3:34
| title4 = Suu Whoop
| writer4 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Jordan Holt}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|DJ Mustard|Holt{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length4 = 3:04
| title5 = Cant Get in Kanada
| writer5 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Leslie Wakefield Jr.}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|DJ Mustard|Official{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length5 = 2:21
| title6 = Too Cocky
| writer6 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Christopher Fairbrass|Richard Fairbrass|Robert Manzoli}}
| extra6 = DJ Mustard
| length6 = 2:52
| title7 = Big Bank
| note7 = featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj
| writer7 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Nye Lee Jr.|Tauheed Epps|Sean Anderson|Onika Maraj}}
| extra7 = DJ Mustard
| length7 = 3:57
| title8 = Power
| note8 = featuring Ty Dolla Sign
| writer8 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Ruben Sosa|Tyrone Griffin Jr.}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|DJ Mustard|Citoonthebeat{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length8 = 2:52
| title9 = Slay
| note9 = featuring Quavo
| writer9 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Quavious Marshall|Willie Hutch}}
| extra9 = DJ Mustard
| length9 = 4:44
| title10 = 666
| note10 = featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again
| writer10 = {{hlist|Jackson|Michael Williams|Peyton Landers|Kentrell Gaulden|Craig Lawson|Bobby Sandimanie|Jonathan Smith|Michael Tyler}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Mike Will Made It|Ziti{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length10 = 4:39
| title11 = Too Brazy
| note11 = featuring Mozzy
| writer11 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane|Sosa|Timothy Patterson}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|DJ Mustard|Citoonthebeat{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length11 = 3:30
| title12 = Pussy Money Fame
| writer12 = {{hlist|Jackson|Enoch Harris}}
| extra12 = Lil Rich
| length12 = 2:58
| title13 = Deeper Than Rap
| writer13 = {{hlist|Jackson|Harris}}
| extra13 = Lil Rich
| length13 = 3:22
| title14 = Free the Homies Interlude
| writer14 = {{hlist|Marlon Williams|McFarlane}}
| extra14 = DJ Mustard
| length14 = 1:53
| title15 = Bomptown Finest
| writer15 = {{hlist|Jackson|McFarlane}}
| extra15 = DJ Mustard
| length15 = 5:23
}}
Notes
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
- "Handgun" is known as "Band Drum" on the clean version of the album
- "Bulletproof" features background vocals by Carter Kim
- "Handgun" and "666" features additional vocals by Albert Thompson
- "Free the Homies Interlude" features voice by Leandre Herman
Sample credits
- "Too Cocky" contains an interpolation from "I'm Too Sexy", written by Christopher Fairbrass, Richard Fairbrass, and Robert Manzoli, and performed by Right Said Fred.
Personnel
Musicians
- DJ Mustard – guitar {{small|(track 14)}}
- Marlon Williams – guitar {{small|(track 14)}}
- Richard "Hymnbeats" Antione – additional keyboards {{small|(track 14)}}
Technical
- Dee Brown – recording {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 5–8, 10–13, 15)}}
- David Pizzimenti – recording {{small|(tracks 3, 4)}}
- Nolan Presley – recording {{small|(track 7)}}
- Gregg Rominiecki – recording {{small|(track 7)}}
- Cyrus Taghipour – recording {{small|(track 9)}}
- Mark Dorflinger – recording {{small|(track 10)}}
- DJ Mustard – recording {{small|(track 14)}}
- Derek "MixedbyAli" Ali – mixing {{small|(tracks 2–5, 8–11, 15)}}
- Michael "MikFly" Dottin – mixing {{small|(tracks 1–3, 6–13)}}, recording {{small|(track 15)}}
- Finis "KY" White – vocal mixing {{small|(track 7)}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for Stay Dangerous |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|15|artist=YG|album=Stay Dangerous|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 11, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|9|artist=YG|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 14, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|71|artist=YG|album=Stay Dangerous|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 11, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|21|artist=YG|album=Stay Dangerous|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 10, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|54|artist=YG|album=Stay Dangerous|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 15, 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|5|artist=YG|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 30, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|5|artist=YG|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 14, 2018}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2018 year-end chart performance for Stay Dangerous |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018|work=Billboard|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204224411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=December 4, 2018|url-status=live}}
| 173 |
| scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018|work=Billboard|accessdate=June 17, 2020|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405160444/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|url-status=live}}
| 63 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Stay Dangerous}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=YG|title=Stay Dangerous|award=Gold|relyear=2018|certyear=2019|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}