Herstory

Released in April 2017, Herstory serves as the definitive introductory statement for Young M.A following her meteoric rise via the single 'OOOUUU'. While technically an EP, it carries the weight of a manifesto, establishing her sonic identity through a combination of Brooklyn-centric swagger and a unique queer perspective within the traditionally heteronormative gangsta rap genre. The project is characterized by its skeletal production, largely eschewing the lush maximalism of the era in favor of 'hook-free beats' that prioritize her baritone delivery. Critics, including Robert Christgau and writers at Pitchfork, have noted her ability to articulate complex street narratives with a 'brawny, low-pitched masculinity' that remains distinctly her own. The EP was a commercial success for an independent release, solidifying her position as a formidable lyricist and a cultural icon before her full-length debut, Herstory in the Making, arrived two years later.