[2] The project features production from several established record producers, including Buddah Bless, CashMoneyAP, JetsonMade, Mike Will Made It, Nick Mira, and Wheezy.

[12] On August 14, 2019, Gaulden was released from jail and put on house arrest after being in police custody for 90 days following an assassination attempt on his life.

[13][14] With no news of a new project, on October 8, 2019, Gaulden's videographer Louie Knows had taken to his Instagram to share the mixtape's official cover art alongside its release date.

[4] Writing for HotNewHipHop, Alex Zidel stated that throughout the mixtape, "YoungBoy utilizes his melodious talents and hook-making mastery throughout the bulk of the songs".

[25] Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica wrote that the album "is a harrowing swirl of personal trauma, treacherous relationships, murderous fantasies and ice-cold bluster".

Lucas Wisenthal of Complex noted that the mixtape covers Gaulden's "supreme self-confidence" on "Make No Sense" and his introspection and vulnerability on "Lonely Child".

[5] AI YoungBoy 2 debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 110,000 album-equivalent units (including 3,000 pure album sales) in its first week.