J$ph - J$ph (Album)
Through our ears, a rapper’s words mirror someone’s story in form of a rhythmic personification. And from the mouth of apoet, comes the candid and unreserved reality of a series of hardships and tests opposite of a faith-driven soul. Resulting inmusic to serve as the intertwining connection of art, emotion and relatability between listener and artist. On the anticipated self-titled album, “J$ph”, from Arlington, Texas’ own J$ph, the story of trials and triumph lies direct and definite within a body of meticulously and intricate curated instrumentals that assist to interpret the rapper’s awareness and intuition in life.
From regained strength and faith, J$ph’s gentility and motive to help and encourage those around him are found through and through on this album rooted from the deliberate writing. From the start, it becomes evident that he intended to create a project that many could resonate and benefit from. Who Am I fits perfectly as the album opener with what is essentially a moment that hears the rapper reflecting on himself and his past to ask himself who it is that he truly wants to be? Indulged in deep thought, the resonating lyrics and invitation to his conscious thought’s lays clear a revived and healed mindset of positivity from his life that he wants to apply to his art. J$ph has an excellent coherency in taking you through the person he is today from the person he was before. From reflecting on various obstacles he faced, to the understanding of lessons learned, the project shows the virtuous growth of not only an artist but overall, the person J$ph is.
On this self-titled project, J$ph proficiently compares and contrasts his winning moments with his low-moments, unafraid to shed light and bring forth the truth and entirety of his experiences. On “Treasurez”, he revisits a moment in time of his life where he found himself rock-bottom with a mind plagued with conviction and dark thoughts. In the midst of his personal battle came the intense realization of facing himself to either work on himself to prosper or neglect himself and become consumed by hopelessness setting up for eventual defeat. To contest the ominous, much like through his victories, J$ph leans on the availability of family and loved ones by praising them as the unconditional support and vindication of his success. As you hear on “Richest Man in Babylon”, where voices praise and appreciation to his significant other for her sacrifices and forgiving nature regarding his life choices.
Through the halfway point of the album, the “It Is Well Interlude” serves more like a fully composed track with a meaningful message of uplifting spirit to tackle self-doubt and overcome the troubling obstacles of loss, evil and darkness of reality in the process of finding your purpose. The interlude helps establish the significance of tracks like “Stay Alive” and “Smile Again” that exceedingly fill the desire of pensive and quality writing for avid hip-hop listeners. “Smile Again” drives home heavy thoughts and hopes of digging deep within to find purpose and happiness from the blessings that surround you. The moderate tempo of the track aligns well with the realness of giving yourself time to stop and capture yourself amidst the progressive speed of life to realize the beauty around you and finding your reason to smile.
When it comes to an album that holds so much openness and shares personal experiences, J$phs’ self-titled is the model project that leaves no page unturned and elaborates on the peaks and valleys life has to offer. I once heard from a peer that the last song on a project should make a lasting impression to the listener and drive home the understanding of who you are as an artist. On the final and title-track, J$ph, the intuitive rapper leaves no room for impending questions on his vision and establishes who he is in present day as a result of the past 13 years of his life. The Arlington rapper closes out the project exceptionally with a solemn and hopeful tone influenced by his morale and optimistic thinking to deliver the summarizing message and concept of this album. Take time and invest in yourself with soul searching, no matter who you are or where you are, through self-reflecting and correcting, you’ll discover all of your values and your purpose. Even amidst the uncertainties, J$phs’ wisdom, intuitive outlook and unwavering belief in faith serves as a proven catalyst of hope and promise within the unsettling feelings and strenuous hurdles life often creates. You can stream the album now on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.