Juicy J releases ‘Ravenite Social Club’

Juicy J has been a staple of the rap game for decades. J was once part of The Three 6 Mafia, an American hip-hop group founded in 1991, and has had a clear influence on both the underground hip-hop scene and the vibrant rap scene in Memphis.

The popularization of the raw style and hard style can be heard by contemporaries such as NLE Choppa and Denzel Curry. It’s a unique sound that he’s built on, but never really strayed from. That’s why his new album, ‘Ravenite Social Club’, was a surprising departure from his signature gritty style.

Instead, Juicy J chose to use jazz artists like Robert Glasper and Emi Secrest, and he sampled other songs to provide the musical framework for an album about his life. It was incredibly unique to hear Juicy J’s social commentary over a jazz-rap beat with his signature production. Here’s a look at some of the main tracks on the album.

Track 5: “Everything’s All Good”

‘Everything All Good’ is a heartfelt celebration of life and family. He uses this song to reflect on how his family and life have changed since his younger days. More than once we see Juicy J allude to the joy he felt at the simplicity of a family dinner or a day out at the arcade. The song highlights Juicy J’s gratitude for his family, friends and career.

Track 7: “Thought It Was”

“Thought It Was” is Juicy J showing off to his audience in his signature style. Expensive cars, lavish spending and expensive flights – nothing special. But what we see beneath the surface is criticism of the larger music industry.

Juicy J includes an audio segment on the definition of an industrial factory in a way that can only be described as intentional. When Juicy J flaunts his wealth, it’s because his money is earned through hard work and dedication.

Despite his showing off, loyalty emerges as a major theme, highlighting the need for genuine support from those with you, which is especially interesting in contrast to the industrial factories section of the song.

Track 9: “The past is the past”

In ‘The Past Is The Past’, Juicy J discusses how we can move forward. The repetition of “there’s no point in living in the past” reinforces the message that letting go and embracing a new chapter is the only way to move forward. Juicy J references his own journey and says his craft is not different, just his path.

This seems to be a reference to both the album as a whole and his life. Juicy J acknowledges Memphis by saying, “Everything I do, I represent the hood,” which is even more powerful when you consider the album’s messages as it signifies the changes he wants to happen in his community.

Track 15: “To You” (feat. Robert Glasper and Emi Secrest)

This song is perhaps the most emotional we see Juicy J, not only on the album but also in his discography. The issue opens with news clips announcing the deaths of Koopsta Knicca, Lord Infamous and Gangsta Boo, fellow members of Three 6 Mafia alongside Juicy J.

The difficulty is emphasized with lyrics such as “so much pain, it’s hard to cry.” The song serves as both a eulogy and a means of healing. We see Glasper and Secrest in a much larger capacity on this song, giving the jazz a more somber feel.

Overall, Juicy J uses this album to showcase his status as a visionary artist. Through a combination of his usual swagger and genuine social commentary, we see a different side of him.

Rating: 4.5/5