Yungiiie’s Evolution Continues in ‘Pretty Boy Needs Love: Side A’

For those familiar with the rising force that is Yungiiie, his latest offering, Pretty Boy Needs Love: Side A, marks a pivotal moment - not just in his music, but in his journey as an artist and individual. The mixtape is a reflective chapter, laden with emotion and lyrical depth, presenting a softer yet sharpened side of the Johannesburg native.

Yungiiie’s path could easily be likened to a classic anime arc - rich with transformation, trials, and triumphs. His story begins in the vibrant yet often harsh backdrop of Johannesburg, where he wrestled with the identity of being, in his own words, “God’s imperfect child.” His upbringing was layered and complex, marked by both struggle and moments of clarity. In 2020, he achieved his Diploma - a small but significant victory in his early narrative.

The tides shifted further when he moved to Lindhaven, a chapter coloured by themes of rage and revenge, where he began sculpting his debut mixtape alongside a close circle of local talent. It was in this period that Yungiiie began making his mark, with collaborations - especially with OG Trigger - resulting in impactful releases throughout 2022. These tracks showcased a grittier, unapologetic version of the artist, hungry to carve out space in the scene.

2023 was notably quieter, a contemplative pause that hinted at something brewing beneath the surface. That something arrives in 2024 with Pretty Boy Needs Love: Side A - Yungiiie’s third official mixtape and perhaps his most vulnerable work to date. Departing from the aggressive energies of REVENGE and Drill City, this new release finds him leaning into his emotional core, revealing an artist who has not only grown but evolved.

Lyrically, Yungiiie is at his most expressive. The mixtape feels like a confessional, one that navigates love, loneliness, self-worth, and healing. It’s a stark contrast to the anger of his earlier work, but no less powerful. If REVENGE was about fighting the world, Pretty Boy Needs Love is about learning to live in it - scars and all.

This latest mixtape represents the third chapter in Yungiiie’s unfolding saga, a new pillar in a career built not only on sound but on storytelling. As he continues to sketch his narrative in bold strokes, it’s clear that Yungiiie is more than an artist - he is a protagonist in a tale still being written. And with Side A setting the tone, listeners can only anticipate what Side B might unveil.

Yungiiie’s journey is far from over, but with each release, his voice becomes clearer, his message louder, and his place in the game more defined.