J Fresh

rise of the footsoldier

Indie artist are known to do some unprecedented things like dropping three mixtapes out in one day. Who’s the artist that did that? Conneticut’s own, JFresh The Journey. I’ve listened to all three projects by JFresh and will share my thoughts on all of them, but not separately like my usual reviews. Typically I would share my thoughts about an album/ mixtape, name a favored song(s) and rate the project out of 10. This review will be a bit different. I’ll still name my favorite track out of all of the music I listened to by JFresh, but instead of giving out individual ratings I will detail which of the three mixtapes do I like and why. As always with all of my reviews and everything I do expect honesty and fairness. Without further ado, here’s the review!

Each mixtape has it’s own sound and vibe to it. You have the first mixtape “Royalty&Ratchetness” which is all about the glitz and glamour of the rap game and the street life. Mixtape #2 “The Rise of a Foot Soldier” has somewhat of a conscious feel to it with some motivational tracks as well. Mixtape #3 Before Anything Else” had a club/party vibe to it. As you can see three totally different vibes to three different projects, but generally speaking the content felt the same. Yes I got different vibes from the projects and I credit that to not only the production on all three of these mixtapes being different but JFresh’s delivery is different on all three tapes. Despite my lack of interest in two out of the three tapes I will credit JFresh for being an artist who seems to be very versatile and can re-invent himself and adapt to many different sounds of HipHop if he wanted to.

Overall if you like what many have called “street music” or “club music” then the first and third mixtapes should be more of your speed. Still check out mixtape #2 because there’s still some street anthems on that mixtape as well.

Since I brought up my interest level with these mixtapes I think it’s an appropriate time for me to bring up my favorite mixtape of the three and that is “The Rise of a Foot Soldier.”

The Rise of a Foot Soldier had the best production to me and the most relatable tracks. That’s pretty much why I preferred this mixtape over the other two. There were moments on this mixtape that reminded me of the other two mixtapes, but as I stated before none of these mixtapes sound the same. Not even Fresh sounds the same on these mixtapes. Upon listening to TROAFS (The Rise of a Foot Soldier) I was saying to myself “this mixtape will end up being the more experimental one out of the three.” That wasn’t the case because mixtape #3 took that title but this one is still my favorite out of the three because of the more relaxed (and somewhat relaxed) production and once again the content on this mixtape was better because it had more tracks that I could relate to. Now is an appropriate time to bring up my favorite track of all the mixtapes.

Despite my feelings on the mixtapes I can honestly say that all three of them had at least one song that I can say stood out to me as a song better than the rest. The song “Moving To Fast” off of the “The Rise of a Field Soldier mixtape was the song that stood out to me the most out of all of the music by JFresh The Journey that I listened too. Moving To Fast is one of the socially conscious songs I’m talking about when I said the TROAFS mixtape has that type of vibe. What I like most about it is the message. Reminding listeners not to rush the process and to live life with a purpose, but don’t burn yourself out trying to achieve those dreams. It also served as a reminder to folks to stay in their own lane. Not on some disrespectful belittlement shit but to encourage listeners to be themselves and not look at what the next man or woman is doing just to emulate them.

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MENDED WINGS

burdened by fractured dreams and empty promises I sought escape from my reality broken emotionally and physically I was lost victimized and exploited by my very own malicious thoughts that ravished my fragile mind and body with no psychological balance tainted by fears and unhealthy recurring thoughts I was broken I wrestled with my negative Internal dialogue no peace in sight broken trapped and lonely my physical pain -my crutch I held on to it with everything I had and then some tattered broken wings filled with brokenness I searched for refuge within my broken-self I felt sorry for me I even entertained suicidal thoughts when the intensity of the physical and emotional pain prolonged the financial situation-ship roared at me startled me and drove fear in me pathetic aroused with pity vulnerable with my broken wings I searched within the depths of my pain and gained clarity hope restored I regained consciousness I mended my broken wings I sought clinical help reconnected with my inner me and my spiritual self I ran away from my pity party never to look back I made peace and found a better version of me no more brokenness I am alive and thankful for all the valuable lessons learnt I am a free woman, a rich woman with mended wings soaring to new heights