NBA YoungBoy was basically just a kid when he dropped "Better Man." Released in 2017 on his AI YoungBoy mixtape, the track captured a specific, raw vulnerability that most rappers are too scared to touch until they’re much older. He was 17. Think about that. At an age when most guys are worrying about prom or graduation, Kentrell Gaulden was articulating the crushing weight of fame, street expectations, and the desperate desire to evolve.
The Better Man lyrics NBA YoungBoy penned aren't just lines in a song; they’re a blueprint of his psyche during his meteoric rise. It’s messy. It’s honest. It’s the sound of someone realizing that money doesn't actually fix the "dirt" on your soul.
The Raw Reality of the Better Man Lyrics NBA YoungBoy Wrote
People often pigeonhole YoungBoy as just another "drill" or "gangsta" rapper, but that’s a lazy take. If you actually listen to the verses in "Better Man," you hear a different story. He starts off by talking about the change in his environment—the "glitz and the glamour"—but immediately pivots to the internal cost of that success.
"I'm just tryna be a better man," he repeats. It’s a simple hook. It’s also a heavy one.
The song addresses his mother, his struggles with loyalty, and the paranoia that comes with being a target in Baton Rouge. He mentions his mother’s prayers, which is a recurring theme in his discography, showing that even at his most rebellious, there’s a tether to a moral compass he feels he’s losing. The lyrics paint a picture of a young man who knows he’s flawed. He isn't asking for forgiveness as much as he’s asking for understanding.
Why the Production Matters Just as Much as the Words
The beat, produced by CashMoneyAP, provides this atmospheric, melodic backdrop that allows the Better Man lyrics NBA YoungBoy delivered to breathe. It’s not a club banger. It’s a late-night-drive-while-staring-at-the-rain kind of song.
In 2017, the "melodic trap" wave was hitting its stride, but YoungBoy’s delivery was unique because of the pain in his voice. You can hear the gravel. You can hear the urgency. While some of his peers were using Auto-Tune to mask a lack of substance, YoungBoy used it to amplify the emotion behind his words.
Breaking Down the Verse Transitions
One of the most interesting things about the song is how he transitions from talking about his legal troubles to his personal relationships. He raps about the judge and the courtroom in one breath and then immediately jumps into his desire to be a better father. It’s a chaotic stream of consciousness that reflects the reality of his life at the time.
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There’s no "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" to his growth. It’s just a raw desire to do better while being stuck in a cycle of violence and fame.
The Cultural Impact of AI YoungBoy
When AI YoungBoy dropped, it solidified his spot as the voice of a generation. "Better Man" stood out because it wasn't about the flex. It was about the struggle of maintaining your humanity when everyone around you sees you as a meal ticket or a target.
Fans connect with these lyrics because they’re relatable. You don’t have to be a famous rapper from Louisiana to know what it feels like to disappoint the people you love. You don’t need a platinum record to feel like you’re failing at being the person you want to be.
- The song has racked up hundreds of millions of streams.
- It remains a fan favorite in his live sets (when he’s able to perform).
- It set the stage for later emotional tracks like "Drawing Symbols" or "Lonely Child."
Misconceptions About the Song's Meaning
Some critics argued that the Better Man lyrics NBA YoungBoy released were hypocritical. They’d point to his subsequent arrests or public feuds and say, "See? He didn't actually want to be a better man."
That’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the human condition—and of hip-hop.
The song isn't a declaration of victory. It’s a confession of struggle. Wanting to be better and actually being better are two very different things, and YoungBoy captures that gap perfectly. He’s acknowledging the "beast" inside him while trying to keep it at bay. It’s the duality that makes his music so compelling to his "Never Broke Again" fanbase.
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The Technical Artistry Behind the Bars
If you look at the rhyme scheme, it’s not overly complex. YoungBoy isn't trying to be Eminem here. He’s using simple, punchy rhymes that emphasize the weight of the words.
- "I know I ain't doing right."
- "I'm tryna get through the night."
The simplicity is the point. When you’re in survival mode, you don’t have time for metaphors that require a dictionary. You say what you feel. This directness is why the song has such a high "replay value." It feels like he’s talking directly to you, or maybe just talking to himself in a mirror while you happen to be eavesdropping.
Comparing "Better Man" to His Later Work
If you compare "Better Man" to his 2023 or 2024 releases, you see a clear evolution—or maybe a devolution, depending on who you ask. In 2017, there was a glimmer of optimism in his voice. He truly believed he could turn it all around.
In his later work, that optimism is often replaced by a hardened cynicism. The "Better Man" version of YoungBoy was a kid who still thought he could outrun his demons. The older YoungBoy seems to have accepted them as roommates. This makes the lyrics of "Better Man" even more poignant in hindsight. It’s a time capsule of a version of him that still had a certain type of hope.
Actionable Takeaways for Listeners
If you’re revisiting this track or discovering it for the first time, don't just let the melody wash over you. There's actually a lot to learn from how YoungBoy handles his narrative.
- Analyze the Vulnerability: Notice how he doesn't try to look "cool" in every line. Admitting you're failing is a powerful songwriting tool.
- Look at the Context: Listen to the rest of the AI YoungBoy mixtape. See how "Better Man" acts as the emotional anchor for the more aggressive tracks.
- Check the Samples: CashMoneyAP often uses subtle textures that go unnoticed. Listen for the minor key shifts that signal a change in his mood.
- Observe the Vocal Stacking: YoungBoy often layers his vocals on the hook to make his "Better Man" plea sound like a choir of one, emphasizing his loneliness.
The Better Man lyrics NBA YoungBoy gave us are a reminder that the most impactful music usually comes from a place of deep internal conflict. It’s not about having the answers; it’s about having the courage to ask the questions out loud.
To truly understand the impact of this song, you have to look at the comments sections on YouTube or Reddit. You’ll see thousands of people talking about how this specific track helped them through jail bids, breakups, or the loss of family members. That kind of connection is rare. It’s why, despite all the controversies and the "blackballing" he often claims, YoungBoy remains one of the most-streamed artists on the planet. He talks about the things people are actually feeling, even when those things aren't pretty.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts
Go back and listen to "Better Man" immediately followed by "Lonely Child." You'll see the direct line of emotional development. Notice how his definition of "better" changes as his bank account grows but his circle shrinks. Pay close attention to the way he references his children in his later work compared to this track; it's a sobering look at the reality of growing up in the public eye while trying to break generational cycles.