Young Dolph songs represent some of the most authentic and powerful hip-hop music to emerge from Memphis in recent years. Born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., Young Dolph established himself as one of the most influential independent artists in rap before his tragic passing in November 2021. His discography spans over a decade of consistent releases, from mixtapes to chart-topping albums, showcasing his evolution from street-level hustler to successful entrepreneur and recording artist.
The late Memphis rapper’s musical legacy encompasses everything from hard-hitting trap anthems to introspective reflections on life, success, and the challenges of street life. His ability to balance raw authenticity with commercial appeal made him a standout figure in contemporary hip-hop, earning him gold certifications and Billboard chart success while maintaining his independent status through Paper Route Empire.
From his breakout moments on tracks like “Cut It” with O.T. Genasis to his final completed works on the posthumous “Paper Route Frank” album, Young Dolph’s catalog represents a masterclass in consistency and artistic integrity. These twenty songs showcase the very best of what made Young Dolph such a compelling and beloved figure in hip-hop culture.
100 Shots
“100 Shots” stands as Young Dolph’s most defining anthem and career-defining moment, transforming a real-life assassination attempt into an indestructible piece of hip-hop defiance. The track emerged from an actual incident where Dolph survived multiple gunshots, turning his near-death experience into a braggadocious celebration of survival. Producer DJ Squeeky crafted a haunting yet triumphant beat that perfectly complements Dolph’s matter-of-fact delivery as he questions his would-be assassins’ marksmanship with the now-iconic line “How the fuck you miss a whole hundred shots?”
Major (featuring Key Glock)
“Major” showcases the incredible chemistry between Young Dolph and his cousin Key Glock, representing one of their most successful collaborations before Glock became a major star in his own right. The track celebrates their rise from Memphis streets to hip-hop prominence, with both artists trading verses about turning “dirt into diamonds” and achieving major status in the rap game. The song’s production features booming 808s and atmospheric melodies that create the perfect backdrop for their confident proclamations of success and loyalty to their Paper Route Empire brand.
RNB (featuring Megan Thee Stallion)
“RNB” from Young Dolph’s critically acclaimed “Rich Slave” album features Houston superstar Megan Thee Stallion and represents a perfect fusion of Memphis and Texas hip-hop styles. The track finds Dolph reflecting on his journey from struggle to success, rapping about going “all the way through hell and back” to reach his current status while Megan adds her signature confident energy to the chorus. The song’s production combines melodic elements with hard-hitting drums, creating an anthem about resilience and determination that resonated with fans across different regions and demographics.
Preach
“Preach” established itself as one of Young Dolph’s most introspective and lyrically sophisticated tracks, showcasing his storytelling abilities beyond typical trap braggadocio. Released in 2014 as part of his “High Class Street Music 4” mixtape, the song features Dolph delivering raw, honest verses about his upbringing, street experiences, and the harsh realities of Memphis life. The track’s haunting piano-driven production provides the perfect backdrop for his confessional lyrics, where he discusses loyalty, betrayal, and the psychological toll of street life with unprecedented vulnerability for his catalog.
Get Away
“Get Away” serves as the emotional centerpiece of Young Dolph’s posthumous “Paper Route Frank” album, offering perhaps his most introspective and vulnerable performance ever recorded. The track finds Dolph openly discussing his mental health struggles, expressing exhaustion with fame and a desire to escape the pressures of his lifestyle through deeply personal lyrics. His admission that he’s “sick of rappin'” and wishes he could “erase” his past reveals a rarely seen vulnerable side of the typically confident rapper, making this one of his most poignant and emotionally resonant recordings.
Cut It (featuring O.T. Genasis)
“Cut It” marked Young Dolph’s first major commercial breakthrough, featuring prominently on O.T. Genasis’ hit single that reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Dolph’s verse on this track introduced him to mainstream audiences beyond Memphis, showcasing his distinctive flow and larger-than-life personality on a national stage. The song’s infectious energy and memorable hook made it a club anthem, while Dolph’s confident delivery about luxury cars and street credibility perfectly complemented the track’s celebratory vibe and helped establish his reputation as a formidable feature artist.
Play Wit Yo Bitch
“Play Wit Yo Bitch” represents one of Young Dolph’s most controversial and boldest statements, originally released as a direct response to ongoing tensions with fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti. The track showcases Dolph’s uncompromising attitude and willingness to address conflicts head-on, featuring aggressive lyrics delivered over menacing production. Beyond its confrontational nature, the song demonstrates Dolph’s technical rap skills and his ability to create compelling music from real-life drama, turning personal beef into compelling hip-hop content that resonated with fans who appreciated his authenticity.
1 Scale
“1 Scale” explores Young Dolph’s internal conflict between material success and spiritual consequences, presenting some of his most thought-provoking lyrical content. The track’s title refers to the scales used for weighing drugs and money, serving as a metaphor for Dolph weighing his life choices and their potential ramifications. His questioning of whether his lifestyle choices might lead to damnation shows a philosophical depth rarely seen in trap music, while the production’s dark, brooding atmosphere perfectly matches the song’s contemplative mood and serious subject matter.
While U Here
“While U Here” stands out as one of Young Dolph’s most uplifting and motivational tracks, encouraging listeners to make the most of their time and opportunities. The song features an uncharacteristically optimistic message for Dolph’s catalog, focusing on appreciation for life and making positive use of time rather than dwelling on street life or material possessions. The track’s soaring chorus and inspirational lyrics make it a standout moment that showcases Dolph’s range as an artist beyond typical trap themes, demonstrating his ability to create music that uplifts and motivates his audience.
Sunshine
“Sunshine” delivers infectious positivity through upbeat production and Dolph’s characteristically charismatic delivery, creating one of his most purely enjoyable listening experiences. The track paints vivid pictures of hope and resilience, with Dolph using sunshine as a metaphor for overcoming darkness and adversity in life. While not the most lyrically complex song in his catalog, “Sunshine” succeeds through its feel-good energy and Dolph’s ability to convey genuine joy and optimism, making it a perfect example of his versatility and his skill at crafting music for different moods and occasions.
Gimme My Bag
“Gimme My Bag” exemplifies Young Dolph’s entrepreneurial mindset and relentless pursuit of financial success through its infectious energy and memorable hook. The track features Dolph demanding what’s rightfully his over production that perfectly matches his determined attitude, creating an anthem for anyone focused on securing their financial goals. His confident delivery and unapologetic lyrics about claiming his deserved success resonated strongly with fans who identified with his independent hustle and business acumen, making it one of his most quotable and motivational tracks.
Bulletproof
“Bulletproof” serves as the title track from Young Dolph’s second studio album, encapsulating his resilient mentality and survival instincts developed through years of street life and industry challenges. The song’s title proved tragically prophetic given Dolph’s eventual fate, but at the time represented his mental fortitude and ability to withstand both literal and metaphorical attacks. The track features some of his most confident and defiant lyrics, delivered over production that emphasizes his larger-than-life persona and unwavering determination to succeed despite obstacles and enemies.
Love for the Streets
“Love for the Streets” opens Young Dolph’s posthumous “Paper Route Frank” album with a declaration of his unwavering connection to his origins and the lifestyle that shaped him. The track features Dolph expressing his complicated relationship with street life, acknowledging both its dangers and its role in creating his character and success. His honest exploration of how the streets “birthed him” into who he became provides insight into his mindset and values, while the song’s placement as the album opener emphasizes how central this relationship was to his identity as both an artist and a person.
Death Row
“Death Row” from the “Rich Slave” album showcases Young Dolph’s ability to address serious themes about mortality and the consequences of street life with his characteristic directness. The track finds him contemplating the dangerous lifestyle he lives while maintaining his defiant attitude, creating a complex portrait of someone aware of risks but unwilling to change course. The song’s production features ominous undertones that match its serious subject matter, while Dolph’s delivery remains characteristically confident even when discussing potentially fatal consequences of his choices.
Hall of Fame
“Hall of Fame” represents one of Young Dolph’s most ambitious and detailed biographical tracks, chronicling his journey from Memphis streets to hip-hop success with remarkable specificity. The song serves as both autobiography and motivational story, with Dolph recounting specific moments and decisions that shaped his career while celebrating his achievements. The track’s length allows him to develop his narrative fully, creating one of his most complete artistic statements and demonstrating his growth as a storyteller capable of sustaining listener interest across extended verses.
That’s How (featuring Key Glock)
“That’s How” from “Paper Route Frank” features another stellar collaboration between Young Dolph and Key Glock, built over a distinctive violin-laced beat that creates a unique sonic landscape. The track showcases both rappers at their peak chemistry, trading verses about their success and lifestyle with the easy camaraderie that made their collaborations so compelling. The song demonstrates how their similar backgrounds and shared experiences created natural musical synergy, while the innovative production adds an unexpected classical element to their street-oriented content.
By Mistake
“By Mistake” captures Young Dolph’s larger-than-life lifestyle and his somewhat bewildered relationship with his own success, suggesting that his achievements happened almost accidentally. The track features some of his most quotable lifestyle rap lyrics, including references to luxury cars and expensive habits delivered with his characteristic humor and charm. The song’s production provides a perfect backdrop for Dolph’s confident delivery, while his suggestion that his success happened “by mistake” adds an interesting layer of humility to what could have been straightforward braggadocio.
Rich Slave
The title track from Young Dolph’s most successful album directly confronts themes of racial inequality and the complexities of achieving wealth while facing systemic oppression. “Rich Slave” presents Dolph’s most politically conscious content, addressing how material success doesn’t necessarily equate to true freedom or equality in American society. The song’s title encapsulates the central contradiction Dolph explored throughout the album, examining how financial achievement can coexist with continued marginalization, making it one of his most intellectually ambitious and socially aware compositions.
Blue Diamonds
“Blue Diamonds” showcases Young Dolph’s fascination with luxury and his ability to turn material obsessions into compelling hip-hop content through vivid imagery and clever wordplay. The track features Dolph celebrating his success through descriptions of expensive jewelry and lifestyle choices, delivered with the confidence and charisma that made him such a compelling performer. The song’s production emphasizes the luxurious themes through polished sounds and atmospheric elements, while Dolph’s delivery maintains his characteristic balance of humor and swagger throughout his materialistic celebrations.
Old Ways
“Old Ways” from “Paper Route Frank” finds Young Dolph in a reflective mood, examining how his past experiences continue to influence his present despite his success and changed circumstances. The track features jazzy production courtesy of frequent collaborator Bandplay, creating a sophisticated sonic backdrop for Dolph’s introspective lyrics about growth and change. His admission that old habits and mindsets persist despite his evolution shows remarkable self-awareness, while the song’s mellow vibe allows for a more contemplative side of his personality to emerge.
Roster (featuring Gucci Mane)
“Roster” brings together Young Dolph and Atlanta legend Gucci Mane for a collaboration that bridges Memphis and Atlanta trap styles while showcasing both rappers’ distinctive approaches. The track features production that draws from old-school Memphis rap traditions while incorporating modern trap elements, creating a perfect sonic foundation for both artists’ performances. Gucci Mane’s guest verse demonstrates his continued relevance and chemistry with younger artists, while Dolph holds his own alongside one of trap music’s most influential figures, proving his ability to collaborate effectively with established legends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Young Dolph’s music so influential in hip-hop?
Young Dolph’s influence stemmed from his unwavering authenticity and independent approach to the music business. He built Paper Route Empire from the ground up, proving that artists could achieve mainstream success without major label support, while his honest storytelling about Memphis street life resonated with audiences seeking genuine perspectives in hip-hop.
Which Young Dolph song was his biggest commercial success?
“Cut It” featuring O.T. Genasis became Young Dolph’s biggest commercial breakthrough, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing him to mainstream audiences. However, “100 Shots” remains his most iconic and career-defining track, earning gold certification and becoming synonymous with his artistic legacy.
What was Young Dolph’s final completed album before his passing?
“Paper Route Frank” was Young Dolph’s final completed album, released posthumously in December 2022. The album was essentially finished before his death in November 2021, featuring collaborations with Key Glock, Gucci Mane, and 2 Chainz while maintaining his high standards and artistic vision.
How did Young Dolph’s collaboration with Key Glock impact both artists’ careers?
The partnership between Young Dolph and his cousin Key Glock proved mutually beneficial, with their joint projects “Dum and Dummer” and “Dum and Dummer 2” both reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Their chemistry helped establish Key Glock as a major artist while showcasing Dolph’s ability to mentor and collaborate with emerging talent within his Paper Route Empire label.
What themes did Young Dolph most commonly explore in his music?
Young Dolph’s music consistently explored themes of street life, financial success, family loyalty, and the complexities of achieving wealth while maintaining authenticity. His later work, particularly on “Rich Slave,” also addressed social issues and racial inequality, demonstrating his growth as both an artist and social commentator throughout his career.