Yung Mal stamps himself as one of the lead voices for ATL's music scene with his project, "6 Rings"
Written by Greg Harris
The crest of the Atlanta sound has been through and through this past decade as one of the most influential musical forces. The City residing in the Peach State has given light to loads of talent over the past few decades and the class of talent continues to get better over time. Seeing many dynasties carry their flag around Atlanta, Gucci Mane’s 1017 Empire continues to remain a royal residence.
As Guwop is lining up new soldiers for his empire, Yung Mal as one of the leading generals to guard the legendary name on today’s frontline of Atlanta. Coming from Zone 6, Yung Mal has defined himself as a quick-witted rapper who makes hits from abstract instrumentations to newly modified trap beats. The versatility he carries in his records shows that he’s an emerging star in his own right and only a few records away from making a national hit with the right recipe.
“Seeing that he can make hits outside of his normal regiment, Mal proven he’s on the right track with his rapping career.”
Following his journey from the “Bastards Of The 6” series featuring him and long-time collaborator/partner in crime, Lil Quill. The pair generated a buzz in the city that was undeniable and reminiscent to the other young generated sounds that came from ATL, but this delivered an raw edge to it that made it a voice for the street youth in the city. This type of connection caught the eye of Mr. 1017 himself as he was looking to gather an army for 1017 that would consist of Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Ralo (Free Ralo), Z Money, Lil Wop, and Mal + Quill.
As they made their entrance into the national spotlight under the 1017 Eskimo imprint, the ascension of who they were and why they were intriguing grew. Being known as the youngest ones on the imprint, it was some pre-conceived notions that came along with that but they seriously shown they can hang with some of the top dogs amongst the South. Seeing this type of flair can be carried as a unit, it was also time for Yung Mal to unleash this fire as a solo act as well.
Taking the initial first step with his release, “Iceburg”, Yung Mal took a more serious approach with the direction of his solo efforts. Although the same type of edge remained with his street vernacular, this project implemented a new stepping stone for where he can go in his trajectory. You see this with records such as “Numbers, “Action”, and “War”, this are some records that can carry things over to new listeners and not just fall on death’s ear with it being in the same playlist. Seeing that he can make hits outside of his normal regiment, Mal proven he’s on the right track with his rapping career.
This level of confidence increased even more in his boss like release of “6 Rings” a project that evokes nothing but heaters that’ll you have to run back more than once. The Pyrex Whippa produced project sounds a lot like the early days of 21 Savage and Young Nudy but enhanced because Mal’s wordplay + delivery is simply ridiculous. The combination of these coming together is a match made in ATL Street Music Heaven, and it goes to show what lineage can bring out of an emerging artists who’s looking to become better in his own right. This release was a sneakier release amongst the bigger ones but its something you don’t want to miss out on if you listen to good music.
As I come to the closing points of this piece, Yung Mal is moving a very fast trajectory and he’s on a path of putting out consistent forms of material that you need to listen to. You don’t want to be the last person on this gravy train because you might miss out on the gems that Mal delivers beforehand.
Check out Yung Mal and his latest bodies of work below.