After more than a decade in the rap game, YG believes it’s time for his contributions to receive greater recognition.
The Compton native is preparing for the release of his upcoming album, The Gentleman’s Club, which is scheduled to arrive on June 19. The project marks the beginning of what YG describes as a new era in his career, one focused not only on making music but also on reclaiming the respect he feels he has earned throughout the years.
During a recent conversation with DJ Hed, YG spoke candidly about his frustrations with the lack of recognition he has received from major award organizations despite his longevity and impact on West Coast hip-hop.
“The goal of this album, I’m coming for my respect,” YG explained, acknowledging that some of the setbacks were the result of his own decisions. He pointed out that throughout his career, he has rarely been recognized by major award shows, despite releasing multiple successful projects and hit records.
According to YG, the lack of nominations from prominent ceremonies has remained a sore spot. While he recalled receiving some recognition for his breakout hit “My N***a,” he noted that broader acknowledgment of his catalog has often been absent.
Kendrick Lamar’s Advice Changed His Perspective
One of the most revealing moments from the interview involved fellow Compton superstar Kendrick Lamar.
YG shared that during a conversation about his new album, he opened up to Kendrick about a period in his career when he was releasing music while dealing with frustrations surrounding his recording contract. According to YG, he admitted that some projects were created primarily to fulfill label obligations rather than fully realizing his artistic vision.
Kendrick reportedly challenged that mindset.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper advised YG that every project should receive maximum effort regardless of outside circumstances. The conversation appears to have had a significant impact on YG, who openly admitted that he made mistakes in how he approached certain releases.
Reflecting on that advice, YG acknowledged that he “messed up” and emphasized that he is now fully committed to giving his all creatively moving forward.
A Fresh Start For YG
The first taste of this new chapter arrived with the release of his latest single, GANG BIZNESS. The track has helped build anticipation for The Gentleman’s Club and signals a renewed focus from the veteran rapper.
Since breaking onto the scene with hits like “My N***a,” “Who Do You Love?” and “Big Bank,” YG has established himself as one of the defining voices of modern West Coast rap. Yet despite commercial success and cultural influence, he feels his legacy remains underappreciated in some circles.
Now, armed with fresh motivation and lessons learned from both successes and setbacks, YG is approaching his next album with a clear mission: earning the respect he believes has long been overdue.
With The Gentleman’s Club set to arrive soon, fans will have the opportunity to see whether this renewed focus results in one of the strongest projects of his career.
