OJ da Juiceman is well-known to some, completely unknown to others. If you’re the type of hip-hip fan who stocks up your playlists with radio singles, this might be the first time Juiceman’s name has come across your path. For those well-versed in the underground music scene, OJ da Juiceman is no stranger.
Arguably best known as one of Gucci Mane’s top cohorts, the infamous OJ da Juiceman has released nearly 30 mixtapes, with only one studio album release. His name may not permeate the airwaves, but his rhymes bumped from the stereos of those whom the Atlanta trap rapper targeted frequently in his heyday.
Ever since a Twitter beef between him and Gucci occurred about one year ago, the rapper hasn’t had the ability to gain much traction as a solo act.
On his latest mixtape, Alaska in Atlanta 2, Juiceman’s sound is immediately reminiscent of a Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane or Lil Boosie (and arguably even a Young Jeezy and T.I. back in their early careers before getting shoved in the commercial spotlight). His sound is exactly what you’d expect from the relatively new trap subgenre coming out of Atlanta.
Juiceman’s stylings are faintly similar to those of old-school New York rap back in its early days. But whereas those cats were into painting the grim realities of their neighborhoods in an artistically and lyrically genius way, Juiceman and his peers care mostly about the bass and bang of their beats while touting the day-to-day realism of their hood in a more entertaining way.
While the lyrical content throughout equals the vocabulary of a preteen, the puns, lines and rhymes are more than entertaining. Each track is an adventure in discovering how da Juiceman strings words together in the next song.
The primary treat of Alaska in Atlanta 2 is in the beats. Each beat has bass-bumping, head-bobbing goodness that makes every song enjoyable. It’s great in any circumstance, for having on in the background, working out at the gym, ignoring that annoying roommate of yours or accompanying your weekend shenanigans.
Some may not like this style of rap. But this type of deviation from the grassroots of hip-hop is sometimes what’s needed. Rap isn’t always about delivering a message, sometimes it’s meant simply as an escape and a form of entertainment.
AYEEEE OKAY, OKAY AYEEEE.
