Hip-hop is messy. Honestly, it’s one of the few industries where a petty grudge can turn into a million-dollar business strategy overnight. When YoungBoy Never Broke Again dropped Richest Opp in May 2023, he wasn't just releasing another mixtape in his endless flood of music. He was throwing a tactical grenade.
The project arrived a measly two weeks after his studio album Don’t Try This at Home. Most artists wait two years between albums. YoungBoy? He waits two weeks.
The Lil Durk Rivalry and the May 12th Standoff
The backstory here is kinda legendary if you follow the "Street Rap" soap opera. Media personality DJ Akademiks had claimed that YoungBoy and Lil Durk—two of the biggest forces in the genre—had finally squashed their beef. YoungBoy didn't just deny it; he went scorched earth. He called out Akademiks, insulted Durk, and immediately announced Richest Opp to drop on the exact same day as Durk’s highly anticipated album, Almost Healed.
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It was a power move. Pure and simple.
What happened next was a game of industry chicken. Durk ended up pushing his album back at the last minute. YoungBoy, never one to blink, kept his date. He released the 17-track project on May 12, 2023, effectively claiming the weekend for himself.
Breaking Down the Numbers of Richest Opp
If you think the "oversaturation" of YoungBoy’s music hurts his charts, the data says otherwise. Richest Opp debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. It moved 51,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
That might sound modest compared to some pop stars, but consider this:
- It was his 15th top-10 album.
- It reached No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
- He did this with almost zero traditional promotion.
- It followed a massive 33-track album from just 14 days prior.
The project was led by the high-energy single "Bitch Let's Do It," which quickly became a fan favorite. It currently sits as one of his most-streamed tracks from that era, fueled by a raw, aggressive energy that reminds people why his cult following is so intense.
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The Sound: Vulnerability vs. Violence
Musically, the mixtape is a bit of a rollercoaster. You have the typical "murder rap" anthems that YoungBoy is known for, but then you get these weird, jarring moments of honesty.
Take a song like "Dirty Thug" or "Hurt My Heart." He’s not just rapping about the lifestyle; he’s rapping about the toll it takes. Critics, like those at Vibe and HotNewHipHop, actually praised this vulnerability. They noted that while the production can sometimes feel "wallpapered" or repetitive—likely a side effect of recording so much while on house arrest in Utah—his vocal performance carries the weight.
Then there’s "Fuck the Industry Pt. 2." This is the track everyone was talking about. He took direct shots at Drake, J. Cole, and Lil Yachty. His reasoning? He felt they were "picking sides" in his beef with Durk by collaborating with him but not with YoungBoy. It’s a fascinating look at the politics of modern rap. Basically, if you aren't with him, you're against him.
Is Richest Opp Still Worth a Listen?
Looking back from 2026, the project holds up as a snapshot of a very specific, volatile time in YoungBoy’s career. He was the third most-streamed artist in the U.S. at the time, trailing only Drake and Taylor Swift.
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The project only has one feature: NBA Ben 10 on the track "Chopstick." This lack of guests is typical for Top. He doesn't need big names to move the needle. His fans—the "YB Better" crowd—are enough of an engine.
The mixtape serves as a bridge. It moves from the polished, label-driven sound of his Motown studio albums back to the raw, unedited feeling of his early SoundCloud days. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s undeniably YoungBoy.
Notable Tracks to Revisit:
- Bitch Let's Do It: The undisputed heavy hitter of the project.
- I Want His Soul: Dark, aggressive, and quintessential YB.
- Dirty Thug: For those who prefer his melodic, "pain music" side.
- Fuck the Industry Pt. 2: Essential for the lore and the drama.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re trying to track the value or impact of this era, keep an eye on his RIAA certifications. While Richest Opp started with 51k units, YoungBoy projects tend to have "long legs." They continue to stream at high volumes for years after release because of his dominance on YouTube.
For those interested in the business side, this release was a key part of his $60 million Motown deal. It proved he could maintain a high floor of sales even when flooding the market.
To truly understand the impact, you should watch the "Bitch Let's Do It" music video. It was filmed during his house arrest and captures the cabin-fever energy that defined this entire project. You can find the full 17-track project on all major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Check the credits on Tidal if you want to see the specific production work by Jason "Cheese" Goldberg, who has been YoungBoy's right-hand engineer for years.