Mixtape review time... Let's go! Bringing the spotlight back over to my city of Aiken, SC with a dude that I've known just about my whole life who has been doing his thing for a decade now.
Artist: Jay Weaver aka JayMellz
Mixtape: Worthy
Release date: March 7th, 2016 (03/07/16)
Total # of tracks: 14
Genre: Rap/Hip Hop
Being his 3rd mixtape, with "Worthy", JayMellz made sure to make this project Worthy of the listeners time, and he made sure of that by lacing this project with a lot of nostalgic samples and cool, laid back flows over these beats, while also trying to drive a message to the listener.
With the opening track, "Spirit of David", JayMellz lets us know he has the spirit of David, the famous man known for defeating the giant Goliath. And by this, he's letting us know that he's an underdog in the Rap game that's here to destroy anyone opponent that gets in his way.
With "Elevation", JayMellz is letting the listener know that he's on his way to the top, and that he won't fail as he was destined for this very thing. It may take some time, as most journeys do, but it'll happen regardless.
On "The Odds", the track opens up with a dialogue about how the Black Male has been destroyed by the government... But I take this track as JayMellz saying he actually beat the odds of coming up in a single mother household, steering away from the typical hood story of the young black male and how he's forging his own path.
"Selfish" opens up with a skit from Katt Williams where he talks about how people need to concern themselves with the one that looks in the mirror everyday first. And that's what Jay does on this track. Letting us know he's gonna worry about himself first and foremost, and once he's good, he'll worry about others. Because most of the time, putting others before yourself usually makes you fall behind, as sometimes, the people you help don't return the favor...
"Young Kings" tells how JayMellz has been blessed with melody from a young age, and how he's been destined to be a musician. That music is what has helped keep him alive. That sample though... Top notch. 👌🏻
"A Familiar Story" opens up with the famous dialogue from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with Will ranting to Uncle Phil about how his dad left him. JayMellz uses this speech because his own father left him, leaving him to be raised by his single mother, along with his siblings. But rather than the song being about his father leaving him, it's more of a victory song dedicated to his mother for overcoming the Trials and tribulations of being a single mother. So shout out to *********, you raised a great man. 💯
But with "Crying Out", we get JayMellz venting to us, as he's not sure what to use or where to go to get rid of the pain he's feeling. He's not sure if he should turn to alcohol, drugs, he feels God is too busy for him. He's not sure if there's even one person that will actually hear him out while he's expressing his pain, fearing they may actually use it against him...
And the final track "Dear America", JayMellz explains what it's like to be a Black male in America. How the stereotypes work, how he's been screwed over for just having black skin.
Stand out tracks:
❤️Spirit of David
🔴Selfish
🔴A Familiar Story
🔴Nobody
🔴Young Kings
🔴Elevation
Overall rating: 4.4/5 mics 🎤🎤🎤🎤
This is a very solid project from my boy JayMellz. Great production and use of sampling, with some dope, cool, laid back flows with lyrics that can make you actually feel what he's gone through. A voice that can make you understand the pain and frustration he's endured throughout his life.
But on a more personal note: Jay, I'm glad that you and Nick had the same 4th grade class with Ms. Kinnard at Chukker Creek Elementary, as that one simple friendship ended up turning into a bond where all 3 of us still keep up with each other and even hang out from time to time. I'm truly grateful to have met you and become friends/brothers.