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JPEGMafia just dropped his fifth studio album I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU on all streaming platforms via PEGGY, under an exclusive license to AWAL Recordings America, Inc.
The 14-track LP marks the rapper's first solo record since 2021's OFFLINE!, also known as LP!, which peaked at No.9 on the Billboard 200 album chart. JPEG's new album features guest appearances from Denzel Curry, Vince Staples, Freaky, and Buzzy Lee.
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The album's release leads to the rapper's upcoming US Tour, which will see JPEGMafia performing songs from I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU and other hit records across his discography. The tour will begin on August 07, 2024, at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California.
JPEGMafia disses Drake, experiments with Brazilian Funk music, and more on new album 'I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU'
JPEG's fifth studio album, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU, has a complete runtime of 41 minutes and delivers electric, self-produced, anthemic, soundtracks with additional credits to producers like Flume, Kenny Beats, Nick Lee, Billy Ray, and Alex Goldblatt.
The album is filled with pop culture references, with a major reference to Kendrick Lamar and Drake's iconic beef where Peggy delivers aggressive bars going against the OVO CEO. Notable themes that are heavily delved into in I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU are:
- Love
- Relationships
- Intimacy
- Desires
- Success
- Wealth
- Status
- Mental Health
- Growth
- Maturity
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
I scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone
(Production Credits: JPEGMafia)
JPEG introduces his fifth studio album with electrifying guitar riffs and several rock-inspired drum progressions on the track titled I scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone.
The record majorly delves into the rapper's opinion on those who criticize him, with Peggy asserting his status and dominance over his competition and peers, as seen on lines like,
"When they can't read you like a book (Uh-uh) / They gon' try to attack what you stand on / I'ma take off even if I land wrong / And take everything I can get my hands on (Run it up!)"
SIN MIEDO
(Production Credits: JPEGMafia)
Fans are then reintroduced to the album's second lead single titled SIN MIEDO, Spanish for "No Fear," which is a prevalent topic on this record alongside themes like relationships, divinity, success, and intimacy.
The song is an interesting production mixing solo deliveries with blaring guitar riffs and aggressive bass and drum elements, which come together to create an extremely anthemic record.
"Now some n----s gotta respect that they're gettin' real tired / I step in the room, every n---a inspired / Or n----s just hate 'cause they shorty admire / Now tell me what's flame to the fire / Big booty ho-s, up with it"
I’ll Be Right There
(Production Credits: JPEGMafia)
On I'll Be Right There, JPEG samples Jade's 1992 single Don’t Walk Away using lines from the R&B girl group's hook as the intro and closer for the track. The Lo-Fi key progressions that amplify Peggy's lyrics and delivery fuel the production of this record.
The single interestingly features one lengthy verse that finds the rapper speaking on various relationships and interactions, as well as delving into themes like politics, status, wealth, nepotism, and perseverance. He even appears to take shots at LeBron James' son Bronny on lines like,
"I don't care what you feel, I ain't factor that, and that's real / Barry Sanders, every run is a reel / Colonel Sanders, keep the recipe sealed / These n----s connected like Bronny, for real / That nepotism won't help you in the field (I'll be right–)"
it’s dark and hell is hot (Feat. Freaky)
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA and DJ RaMeMes)
On it’s dark and hell is hot, JPEG introduces his fanbase to a Brazilian Funk production that appears to be inspired by his visit to the South American continent back in January. At several moments on this track, listeners hear distorted lines delivered in Brazilian Portuguese, adding to the funk element of this record.
The rapper teams up with experimental rapper and Baltimore producer Freaky, who assists Peggy with the song's introduction. The record primarily revolves around themes of s-x, intimacy, relationships, and status. Peggy also takes shots at Drake and his music on the lines,
"I can count all my industry friends on my hands / And my n----s, they be in demand / Private school rappers don't know what it is / If I show you Drake, I ain't playin' with kids / You n----s loop it and leave it, I'm never repeatin' / That bullshit ain't worth leaking"
New Black History (Feat. Vince Staples)
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA and DJ RaMeMes)
On New Black History, JPEG samples Future's verse from his 2014 record Covered N Money. Peggy teams up with Vince Staples, on this song, with both rappers delivering ecstatic bars over a dystopic production.
The lyrics on this track are extremely braggadocio where both rappers flex their lifestyle, status, wealth, possessions, and luxury for almost the entire record. The title of this record appears to stem from the belief that their success and accomplishments are monumental and will be recognized as part of the "New Black History."
JPEG continues to shade Drizzy on this LP by referencing the "p-dophile" allegations Kendrick Lamar brought up on his diss tracks during the 2024 rap beef.
"When I come around, better stare at the floor (Yeah!) / 'Cause I'm in that mode, on my own, I got that flavor, Jonathan Major paper / 'Specially when y'all cashing out for PDFs and rapers (No Drizzy) / I hope y'all paid attention, no really / I die and I killed myself, tell 'em they killed me (Hey)"
don’t rely on other men (Feat. Freaky)
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
JPEG reintroduces fans to the album's lead single don’t rely on other men which, although relatively unchanged, now features a revamped production and slight modifications to his verse.
The rhymes and delivery are highly amped up with aggressive bars asserting Peggy's status in the industry. He opens on his third verse using a double entendre, sending more shots at Drizzy, on lines like,
"We can take this s--t the vеteran way / The Kimber, the Glock, the miniature Drac' / I ain't goin' nowhere, I'm right in your face / Make your shorty give me neck 'til her neck in a brace, biatch!"
vulgar display of power
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
Taking inspiration from Pantera's 1992 album VULGAR DISPLAY OF POWER, Peggy delivers the seventh track on his fifth studio album which samples, Wu-Tang Clan member, Method Man's hook off his 1994 record Bring the Pain.
The production is fueled with rock-inspired thick drum progressions, screechy vocal performances, and an impressive cadence. Notable bars from this track include lines like,
"Shorty wanna kick it with a masochist / Showed her who I am and now she kickin' with an activist / Inside Malcolm with the soul of a ratchet b---h / Stashed away that Minimoog and brushed up on my Mandarin / You a lapsed fan and I hope you never stan again / 'Cause all my enemies is in jeopardy, better phone a friend"
Exmilitary
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
Peggy's appreciation for Wu-Tang's artistry is evident with another sample reference where the rapper flips Wendy Rene's 1964 record After Laughter (Comes Tears), which was famously used by the iconic hip-hop collective on their 1993 RZA-produced Tearz.
The track is one of the relatively longer cuts on this project featuring enticing beat switches and transitions, with Peggy taking fans through a variety of discussions ranging from perseverance to survival.
"You n----s really be scaring the ho-s / I scare the bros that ain't got no Black friends / They say sobriety gives you a lens, but all I see is n----s playing pretend / You n----s b---hes and need an assist / I run the game and I love when you brick / I'm Luka, b---h, I'm not gonna miss"
JIHAD JOE
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA and Kenny Beats)
On JIHAD JOE, listeners are introduced to an electric hard-rock production with JPEG diving into themes of self-reflection, living an excessive lifestyle, and struggling with internal demons, while also diving deeper into the complexities of life.
The rapper also includes a shout-out to Eminem in his opening verse, amongst several other pop culture references, where he delivers bars like,
"Mask got a n---a like I'm Peggy Ipkis / I'm went to lips--ts, he gave me Xans / Kimber, Keltec, Rockford, Draco, these are a few of my favorite bands / I'm slim and shady, but I'm not a stan / Tracy McGrady, I jam with one hand / Grow up lil n---a, you not Peter Pan"
JPEGULTRA! (Feat. Denzel Curry)
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA, Kenny Beats, Nick Lee, Billy Ray, and Alex Goldblatt)
Peggy teams up with Denzel Curry on the 10th track titled JPEGULTRA!, which opens with a live introduction delivered by Curry, where he praises JPEGMafia and their elevated status in the industry before transitioning in his verse.
Curry then delivers another spoken-word interlude before JPEG opens on the second verse, where he introduces hyped-up bars like,
"N----s be beggin' for s--t to be different until they get it, then they treat it indifferent / People projectin' they bulls--t at you 'cause they dissatisfied with the life that they living / N----s' net worth be like seventeen bucks while they begging for feet pics from shortys I been in / I can sniff out you proximity ho-s, always near some s--t going on but never did it"
either on or off the drugs
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
Listeners are then introduced to one of the most introspective cuts on this LP titled either on or off the drugs, which finds Peggy reflecting on his life and the many relationships he's lost with time.
The song appears to revolve around themes of self and social awareness, especially in a familiar surrounding, as seen on lines like,
"N----s be on my d--k for nothing, I be like, What happened to these n----s, bro? / Like n----s be really goin' through it, but there's a better way to let the people know / People say I'm never present, I ain't messy, I'm just focused on my goals / 'Cause either on or off the drugs, my energy is Tony powderin' his nose"
loop it and leave it
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
Entering at the tail end of this project, JPEGMafia introduces listeners to the uplifting production of loop it and leave it, where he reflects on his struggles while also touching on themes of resilience, hard work, and authenticity.
With references to Beyoncé, Jack Harlow, and more, Peggy fills his lyricism with elements of fame, success, and the importance of remaining true to oneself, as seen on lines like,
"Don't know who you are, be someone else / Don't just copy me, b---h, be yourself / When you got it, they hate you or steal / They gon' laugh every time that you rap / 'Til them raps start paying they bills, yeah"
Don’t Put Anything On the Bible (Feat. Buzzy Lee)
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA and Buzzy Lee)
JPEG teams up with Buzzy Lee for Don’t Put Anything On the Bible, where the American singer delivers a soulful vocal performance over the deeply acoustic production of the track.
A sudden beat switch introduces listeners to Peggy's verse where he delivers assertive bars acknowledging his growth, while also speaking on themes of societal expectations, as seen on lines like,
"F--k out the deep end, go get you a float, uh / Y'all n----s always be doin' the most / Black Michael Phelps, just acknowledge the stroke / God-level libra, I swim with a ghost / I switched the channel then lost the remote / She for the world, she belongs to the globe / Gaslighting's popular, learn how to cope"
i recovered from this
(Production Credits: JPEGMAFIA)
JPEGMafia closes out his fifth studio album with a track titled i recovered from this, where he samples Janet Jackson's 1987 record Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun).
The track is slow-paced and finds Peggy struggling with themes revolving around the complexities of relationships, mental health, desires, and connections. Notable bars extracted from i recovered from this include lines like,
"Look, my b---h never got taken from me, I lost her myself / My b---h never got comfort from me, I needed too much help / I can’t do one hour a week, I think I need more help / I don't think I need no more fixin', I'll just heal myself / Whose gonna be there when you low b---h, you or somebody else?"
This project's production steams with elements of hip-hop, rock, metal, and alternative genres, with extremely well-produced vocal performances from JPEGMafia.
Many times the inflections and cadence used by the rapper on I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU can humorously be compared to an ecstatic Childish Gambino, with a delivery that captures Peggy's raw, insightful, and introspective bars.
