YG Pays Homage to Eminem on His New Album

West Coast rap heavyweight YG has officially stepped into a new era with the release of his highly anticipated album, The Gentlemen’s Club. Dropping via 4Hunnid and 10K Projects, the 15-track record signals a polished yet characteristically hard-edged evolution for the Compton artist. Moving past the party-centric anthems of his recent mixtapes, YG delivers a focused, cinematic body of work that balances his signature street grit with surprising moments of introspection and vulnerability.

The standout moment of nostalgia arrives early on the album’s third track, “KUDOS.” On this fierce cut, the West Coast giant pays direct homage to Detroit rap legend Eminem by expertly adopting Slim Shady’s iconic cadence and flow from the classic hook of “Kill You.” The intentional nod bridges two distinct generations of rap royalty, showcasing YG’s deep appreciation for hip-hop history while injecting his own unmistakable Bompton attitude into the delivery.

Beyond just mirroring the flow, “KUDOS” leans heavily into hip-hop lore by sampling the legendary “Kill You” instrumental. Originally crafted by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man for Eminem’s diamond-certified 2000 masterpiece, The Marshall Mathers LP, the sinister, bass-heavy arrangement has a rich history of its own. The underlying composition famously interpolates “Pulsion” by French jazz pianist Jacques Loussier—a musical foundation that YG effortlessly repurposes to bring a menacing, throwback energy to his modern-day catalog.

While YG commands the spotlight, The Gentlemen’s Club boasts an elite roster of guest features that perfectly accentuates the project’s sonic diversity. Heavyweights like Pusha T stop by for the explosive track “OMG,” while Tyler, The Creator adds a unique flair to the whispery “ON THE LOW.” The back half of the album gets an extra dose of lyrical sharpness with standout appearances from elite wordsmiths JID and Ab-Soul on the tension-filled track “INSECURE,” highlighting YG’s ability to share the booth with hip-hop’s sharpest minds.

Listen to YG’s new song below:

Eminem YG