"My Nigga" (edited version titled as "My Hitta" or "My N*gga") is a song by American rapper YG, released on September 17, 2013, as the lead single from his debut studio album My Krazy Life (2014). The song, produced by frequent collaborator DJ Mustard, features guest appearances from CTE World founder Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan. It interpolates "The Sky is the Limit", as written and performed by Lil Wayne as well as the popular refrain from C-Murder's single "Down for My N's".
YG and Jeezy appeared on MTV's RapFix on September 4, 2013. At the closing of the show, the two premiered the music video for "My Nigga", which had been filmed a month prior in Atlanta, Georgia. On December 3, 2013, YG performed "My Nigga" for the first time on national television, on DJ Skee's SKEE Live on AXS TV. The next month he performed the song alongside Rich Homie Quan, DJ Mustard and Jeezy on The Arsenio Hall Show. Following that performance, YG was presented with the official platinum plaque from the RIAA commemorating the sales of over a million copies of the single. The song later went quintuple platinum.
It was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. XXL and Complex named it one of the best songs of 2013. Many critics also praised the chemistry of the collaborators and the song's minimalistic production. The song peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. As of March 16, 2014 the song has sold 1,204,457 copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Background
After YG announced that his debut album would be executive produced by Atlanta rapper Jeezy, the two began frequently collaborating. In June 2013, YG revealed that he had signed to Jeezy's record label CTE World. Prior to the signing announcement "My Nigga" was released as a track on a CTE World EP, #It'sThaWorld. The song was then included on the first official CTE World mixtape, Boss Yo Life Up Gang, which was released in August 2013. Following the music video's release, the song was released by Def Jam as the mixtape's lead single on September 17, 2013.
Composition
"My Nigga" was written by Keenon Jackson, Jay Jenkins, Dequantes Lamar and produced by DJ Mustard and Mikely Adam. It interpolates "The Sky is the Limit", as written and performed by Lil Wayne. The song also interpolates the popular refrain from C-Murder's single "Down 4 My Niggaz". The song is a street anthem that celebrates friendship. Overall its message is that to hang with YG and his crew, "it's a requirement that you don’t trip over potential romantic interests, be averse to snitching, be willing to catch a case when necessary, and just be about getting money."
Critical reception
"My Nigga" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Brian Josephs from XXL stated the song, "is still the best song on My Krazy Life, but part of the reason it succeeds represents why the project as a whole is a solid effort. It represents Compton recklessness to the fullest, but that sensibility never comes in the way of relating basic thrills, resulting in an instantly gratifying reward." David Jeffries from AllMusic said the collaborators chemistry is perfect and called the song great overall. Michael Madden of Consequence of Sound called it one of the album's essential tracks saying, the song is "YG sound in miniature" and an instant banger. Jordan Sowunmi of Now called it notably smooth and credited it for fitting perfectly with the cohesion and strong sequencing of My Krazy Life. Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania of RapReviews said it was an "inescapable street anthem." Dorian Mendoza of PrettyMuchAmazing stated, "the unabashed homie loyalty anthem of the year, serves powerfully as the centerpiece of the album." Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX called it repetitive and catchy.