- Words By | Alicia Jackson
- Pen Name | Yori
- Twitter | @AnAmazingFeat
The Favorites
- “The Ghost of Medgar Evers”
- “Carry On/The Ark” (feat P.H.I.L.T.H.Y and Ro Spit)
- “Changes” (feat. Jae Musick and Red Pill)
- “-CENSORED-“ (feat. Mic Write of Cold Men Young and Rafael)
In an industry where momentum can carry you just as far as talent, Jahshua Smith has been dropping mixtapes at steady intervals since 2010. The latest installment of his discography, The Final Season, is a transition project into a new era for the emcee. Rhyming under the name JYoung the General for the earlier part of his career, Jahshua reverts back to his given name for this release. This return coincides with the expansion of concepts within his catalogue. Using his experiences in his native Detroit as the script, Jahshua constructs a layered mixtape, loosely guised as a television series.
Jahshua enters stage right to deliver a prologue to The Final Season with “The Seven Year Itch”. The monologue serves as the backstory to the rest of the tracklist while the smooth piano-based instrumental introduces his one man band. In extension of “The Seven Year Itch”, Jahshua hops in the DeLorean, hits 88 mph, and resurrects “The Ghost of Medgar Evers” for the track of the same name. He channels the ideologies of an entire generation and expertly projects current events through the lens of the past. Since he has obtained perfect eye contact with his audience, Jae Musick and Red Pill join Jahshua on stage and deliver “Changes”. The trio looks into the irises of the present and lets reflective lyricism paired with an unnerving female hook uncover the snakes in the grass. Jahshua tackles gun control in “The Conversation”, further solidifying his competence as a political and socially conscious Hip-Hop artist. Lighter moods break up the serious tone of Jahshua’s solioquies. “Butt/ Don’t Hold Back”, “Carry On/The Ark”, and “Off the Couch” are sprinkled in the mix to add to the depth and plot of The Final Season.
Jahshua never strays from the design of the mixtape. Holding onto a premise through 15 tracks without becoming complacent in its execution comes with experience and practice. The storyline progresses with efficiency because of Jahshua’s skillful use of personal anecdotes and interjected skits. Mixing in the darker subject matters with relatable life instances ensures attentions do not wane and messages are not lost in the fold. At the end of the season, Jahshua’s authenticity throughout the tracklist is successful in re-introducing the world to The Artist Formally Known As JYoung the General. His ingenuity also gains him loyal viewers that will tune in for the next installment.
(click to download, courtesy of BlatPack.com)
TheRedefined.com Rating
Reblogged this on Read My Sounds.