Jay Worthy – “What They Hittin’ 4” review

This is the sophomore album from Vancouver born albeit Compton raised emcee Jay Worthy. Being introduced to him in 2017 after The Alchemist produced his debut EP Fantasy Island from top to bottom, he would go onto drop 5 more EPs & a fantastic collab album with Larry June back in March called 2 P’z in a Pod even though initial plans of putting it out through Griselda Records fell through for whatever reason. Dude just put out his Harry Fraud-produced full-length debut You Take the Credit, We’ll Take the Check a few months back & is now enlisting DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill behind the boards for What They Hittin’ 4.

“We Don’t Die Here” is a calm jazz rap opener talking about “live & let live” along with how you’re supposed to fly if you’re eternal like him whereas “95” takes a more rugged approach declaring himself to be a westside original which accurate considering that the CPT is a here he grew up. “The Gentleman” works in a bare soul sample so Jay can show a more classy side to himself just before “In New York” has a more cheery tone to it talking about his experiences in the Big Apple.

Meanwhile on “Thuggin’ (Psychedelic Ism)”, we have Jay reflects on what happened when he hit a tab of acid on top of a drumless yet synth-heavy instrumental leading into “Sweet Lies (Kiss the Sky)” returning to the boom bap talking about how it feels good inside to be deceived & needing to take his time. T.F tags along for “The Wine Connoisseur” returning to a more jazz-influenced sound expressing their love for wine & after the “Duccky’s Home” skit, MC Eiht comes into the picture for the dusty “A-Wax & O-Dog” talking about how real shit can get.

The song “This is It” with 211 has a spacier groove to it discussing getting anything they want with only a flick of a wrist while the penguin track “I Don’t Wanna Rap” goes into a more sunnier vibe instrumentally talking about wanting to relax. “Bitch I Miss You” however ends the album with a beat that sounds exactly like “No Blood No Sweat” by Mach-Hommy to reflect on a former lover of his that he genuinely misses.

In the 5 years I’ve been following this dude, What They Hittin’ 4 has to be my favorite thing he’s ever done & would absolutely recommend it to those who weren’t feeling his performances on the previous full-length he put out a few months ago. He comes a lot harder on the mic this time around to me personally & the production that Muggs cooks up here is a lot more varied in sound in contrast to the ruggedness of let’s say Rigz’ latest album Gold for example.

Score: 4.5/5

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Jay Worthy – “You Take the Credit, We’ll Take the Check” review

Jay Worthy is a 36 year old MC from Vancouver, Canada who caught my attention in 2017 after The Alchemist produced his debut EP Fantasy Island from top to bottom. He would go onto drop 5 more EPs & just put out a fantastic collab album with Larry June back in March called 2 P’z in a Pod even though initial plans of putting it out through Griselda Records fell through for whatever reason, but is now reuniting with Harry Fraud for his full-length debut.

“Believe” is a classy opener talking about how he did it whereas the soulful “Pacific Coast Highway” with Larry June confessing that they’re married to the hustle. “Good Lookin’” takes a funkier route as Kamaiyah tags along to talk about how you have to pay for their time just before the Conway the Machine-assisted “Helicopter Homicide” works in some lush guitar licks so both MCs can kill shit lyrically.

Meanwhile on “Tonight”, we have Harry taking back to the 80s instrumentally with Jay verbally harassing all the peons out there leading into Curren$y coming into the picture for “Editorials” talking about the rebirth of Max Julien & gunning your spot over a well-flipped sample. “Daytons” with Ramirez layers a harmonica on some crooning vocals expressing their desire to take trips & break hoes, but then “Almighty” returns to soulful turf talking about how he been through it.

The vibraphone/boom bap combo throughout “Stickup Kids” is a nice touch with Detroit’s very own BandGang Lonnie Bands joining Jay in recalling them knocking people down before getting involved with hip hop while “Earth Sky” with MadeinTYO talking about all their homies who’re not here with them anymore. “Monday Motivation” has a funkier flare to it providing words of wisdom going into the new week while the song “Winnipeg Winters” with A$AP 12vy brings in a harmonious loop talking about being them dudes. The penultimate track “6 Figure Strolls” with $ha Hef brags that they made $100k off 1 hoe over a shimmery instrumental & to finish off the album, the sound of “St. Nick the P” is more guitar-heavy talking about being worldwide.

Anticipation for this album was very high for me personally considering that Eat When You’re Hungry, Sleep When You’re Tired has to be one of my favorite EPs that Jay has put out & I think his full-length debut over here is yet another example of a sequel that living up to or surpassing the expectations set by the original. Harry Fraud’s production is more varied compared to the mobb-inspired 2 P’z in a Pod, the features are fantastically consistent & Jay himself comes through with some of his hardest verses he’s ever laid.

Score: 4/5

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Jay Worthy & Larry June – “2 P’z in a Pod” review

This is a brand new collaborative album between California emcees Jay Worthy & Larry June. One hails straight outta L.A. & the other being from San Francisco, but these guys have been working with each other for a little over 5 years now ever since the Chuck Inglish-produced loosie “On Sight”. The last time we heard them together was “Survival Series ‘95” off the 2nd disc of Hitler Wears Hermes VIII: Sincerely Adolf but with the help of Sean House behind the boards, Jay & Larry are finally giving the world 2 P’z in a Pod.

After the “Bad Things ” intro, the first song “Vanilla Cream” opens the album up with a cloudy ode to their lifestyles whereas “Big Funds” takes a funkier route talking about their wealth. “Sock It 2 Me” works in some electro influences to describe a bonafide hoe just before Roc Marciano tags along for the g-funk heavy “Maybe the Next Time” to talk about being playas with a soulful hook.

After the “How 2 Knock” interlude, we have Jay & Larry describing living life fast the glossy “Leave It Up to Me” leading into the recently romantic “She’s Not Around”. The track “Hotel Bel-Air” incorporates a symphony to talk about not being afraid of change & prior to the Bag Connection” outro, the final song “Late Nights” ends the album with Jim Jones coming into the picture to jump on top of a rich beat talking about their significant others being on their minds.

These guys always kill it when you get to hear them together & if you’re a hardcore fan of either one of them, then I highly recommend checking 2 P’z in a Pod out. Sean House cooks up some of the best production of his career with Jay & Larry taking their chemistry to the next level.

Score: 4/5