Rating: NN
If the trope “write what you know” applies to rap, then Juicy J must spend a hell of a lot of time in strip clubs. The whole thing isn’t about disrespecting women, though. Some songs merely weave the misogyny around simple-pleasure narratives: popping molly, making money. On his third solo record, the Three 6 Mafia rapper signed to Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang is “getting high like he’s 18.” At 38, though, it’s not super-amusing, like J is the hip-hop Peter Pan refusing to grow up among a crew of younger emcees.
Production, shared by J, Young Chop and Mike WiLL Made-It among others, at times subtly nods to the menacing beats of early Three 6 Mafia but is otherwise bland. Wax lazily and predictably samples Freda Payne’s I Get High Smokin’ Rollin’ does better, working a sample of the Weeknd’s High For This into the mix. The best beat lends a trippy, outer-space quality to an otherwise inane Trey Songz-assisted ode to ass-clapping, Bounce It.
Top track: Smoke A Ni**a
