Young Thug’s new album has the internet in a frenzy but not the kind most artists want. With a questionable cover photo and opening track, it leaves fans wondering whether he’s speaking to his core Black audience….or simply chasing controversy.
Suggested Reading
The album is titled “UY Scuti” and isThug’s long-awaited project since his October 2024 prison release. “UY Scuti” is the name of a real supergiant star almost 6,000 light years from Earth and nods to the rapper’s massive influence and status in the rap world.
However, any discussion about the album’s possible meaning was overshadowed when the cover art was revealed, showing Young Thug noticeably lighter-skinned. In response to backlash, the rapper explained that the image was inspired by the narrative that lighter skin is perceived as holding more power.
“We always joked and played in my hood. ‘N****, you want to be the biggest, go white.’ […] We just talking s***… It’s just a narrative that the world paint. And we just going with the narrative… ‘Michael Jackson went white for this,’ we know that ain’t true,” Young Thug said on the It’s Up There podcasts.
But…social media wasn’t having it. The album art even drew laughs from some users.
“Easy, white chocolate, I wouldn’t want you to melt,” joked TikToker @newyork_nay.xo. “Somebody please explain the cover art immediately. Like, why? Why do this?”
Now, let’s talk about the outrageous opening track. In a song titled “Ninja,” the Atlanta rapper repeatedly drops the N-word, a move that might seem typical for many rappers of this generation. But when he begins using it with the hard “-er,” it definitely raised eyebrows among fans.
“Not only do you make an album cover of yourself being white, but you then proceed in the first song to say N****r like six times. It ain’t even been a month since all the little pillow talk and phone conversations been leaked. I just can’t believe nobody in the studio didn’t stop that man when they heard that s**t.” said TikToker @wizevibez_
“I played this and got invited to a Klan rally. I got fitted for my sheets. I’m a large. It kept going and going and going. I thought it was AI,” said TikToker @koopgotm. “No, this a real song. With a hard R, strong E-R. I said, “Lord, have mercy.”
The song has even sparked a trend of notable streamers reacting to it. Ultimately, if Young Thug’s goal was to draw attention to the album, it at least worked in that regard.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.