When Atlanta quick-spitter Young Thug jumps on the track, fans are used to being taken on a rambunctious ride thanks to his uncanny melodic flow and boastful bars. But on Thursday, Thugger dropped a visual for the surprise single “Safe,” a depressingly honest ballad that reflects the rapper’s struggle with his insecurities and inner demons.
The Leon Thomas & Wheezy-produced cut depicts a stripped Young Thug, who sets his impenetrable bravado aside for a moment to offer a glimpse at the man underneath the eccentric public personality. Softly pulsating synths and rattling trap drums create a sentimental backdrop for the expressive rhymer to pour his soul out on.
“I spend more money on security than I make/Just to be safe, dawg/Gotta make it home,” he laments on the hook.
Thugger slows down his usual staccato flow on “Safe,” sharing the vulnerability that has developed in tandem with his rise to fame. Paving the dreamscape with melodic lines like “They told me that I was gon' end up like MC Hammer/Cause everything I get, I try to invest it in you,” Young Thug proves his undying loyalty to his family and friends.
The surprisingly earnest music video takes a simple and effective approach, primarily set in the all-white hallway of a vacant school. Young Thug performs the emotionally charged number with immense sincerity, dancing around and spilling lyrics with candor. The video aslo comes equipped with a brief message directed at both his fans and haters, stating “I Will Never Quit.” in the video description.
Needless to say, the new visual starkly contrasts with the vibes of his last video, “Wyclef Jean” (which Thugger didn’t even show up for). With the unexpected unveiling of “Safe,” it’s possible that Young Thug is planning to take a more personal approach to his next project.
