Free Dem Boyz

Free Dem Boyz is the fourth mixtape by American rapper 42 Dugg. It was released on May 21, 2021, by 4 Pockets Full (4PF), Collective Music Group (CMG) and Interscope Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Roddy Ricch, Future, Lil Durk, Rylo Rodriguez, EST Gee, Fivio Foreign, and Rowdy Rebel. Executive produced by rappers and label heads Lil Baby and Yo Gotti, record producers who contribute to the mixtape consist of TayTayMadeIt, DJ Swift, Helluva, Einer Bankz, Section 8, AnttBeatz, TyyMachine, Carlo Anthony, 808Melo, Taz Taylor, Murda Beatz, Pooh Beatz, Flex OTB, and more. The title of the mixtape refers to pleading for 42 Dugg's friends and family who are currently incarcerated to be freed from jail or prison.

Background
The mixtape is a tribute to the people that 42 Dugg knows who are serving time in jail or prison and the known people that are dead. Every song from 'Free Dem Boyz' is a tribute to them, even the "uptempo songs". On the cover of the mixtape, names of his friends and family that were locked up at the time of the mixtape's are there, such as MD, Mery, Onte, Rico, Skeet, Nell, Dirt, Wild, KWE, and Dunk.

Release and promotion
On May 13, 2021, 42 Dugg revealed the cover art of the mixtape, which gave its title. He revealed the release date on May 17, 2021. The following day, he posted a list of the guest artists on the mixtape, while also putting a pre-order link on Apple Music with the complete track listing.

Singles
42 Dugg released the mixtape's lead single, "Free Merey", on August 21, 2020. "Free Woo" was released as the second single on November 6, 2020. He released the third single, "Free Me" on November 26, 2020. The fourth single, "4 Da Gang", a collaboration with fellow American rapper Roddy Ricch, was released on April 2, 2021. The fifth single, "Maybach", featuring fellow American rapper Future, was released along with the mixtape on May 21, 2021.

Commercial performance
During the chart week of May 29, 2021, Free Dem Boyz debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, making 42 Dugg's highest-charting project.

Musicians

 * 42 Dugg – primary artist (all tracks)
 * Roddy Ricch – primary artist (track 4)
 * Future – featured artist (track 5)
 * Lil Durk – featured artist (tracks 7, 22)
 * Rylo Rodriguez – featured artist (track 8)
 * EST Gee – featured artist (track 12)
 * Fivio Foreign – featured artist (track 14)
 * Rowdy Rebel – featured artist (track 14)
 * Arabian McWilson – featured artist (track 23)
 * Moneybagg Yo – featured artist (track 25)
 * Nardo Wick – featured artist (track 26)

Technical

 * Khaya "Macxsn" Gilika – engineering (tracks 1–6, 8, 9), mixing (track 2, 21, 24), recording (tracks 10, 14, 16), studio personnel (tracks 1–6, 8–12, 14–19, 21, 24)
 * Leo Goff – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 7, 9, 12–14, 18, 20, 22–23, 26), mastering (tracks 6, 10, 14, 16), studio personnel (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12–14, 16, 18, 20, 22–23, 26)
 * Helluva – engineering (track 3), studio personnel (track 3)
 * Chris Dennis – engineering (track 4), studio personnel (track 4)
 * Derek Ali – mixing (track 4), studio personnel (track 4)
 * Chris Athens – mastering (track 4), studio personnel (track 4)
 * Julien Suleiman – engineering (track 5), studio personnel (track 5)
 * Ari Morris – mixing (tracks 5, 6, 8, 11, 15–17, 19, 25), studio personnel (tracks 5, 6, 8, 11, 15–17, 19, 25)
 * Matthew "Mattazik Muzik" Robinson – engineering (track 7), studio personnel (track 7)
 * Antt Beatz – mixing (track 10), recording (track 7), studio personnel (track 10)
 * Logan Schmitz – assistant mixing (track 17), studio personnel (track 17)