Travis Scott’s group, Jackboys, is back with a new album, “Jackboys 2,” which largely delivers the same repetitive sounds listeners have heard for years, raising questions about its substance ahead of Scott’s potential India concert.
Jackboys 2: A Familiar Sound
The hip-hop world has long celebrated iconic groups like N.W.A. and Wu-Tang Clan. Jackboys, comprised of artists from Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack label including Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, Chase B, SoFaygo, and Scott himself, debuted in 2019.
Their first album didn’t spark a revolution, and unfortunately, “Jackboys 2” largely mirrors its predecessor. The new project features tracks that sound remarkably similar to what these artists have been creating for over a decade, offering little in the way of fresh ideas.
It’s hard to ignore the focus on superficial themes: luxury cars, money, and questionable lyrics. If this is truly a reflection of their reality, then listeners might prefer Scott stick to his older hits for future performances.
Hitting Some Chords, Missing Others
Despite the overall criticism, the album isn’t entirely without merit. It feels more cohesive than the 2019 Jackboys release, which often seemed incomplete.
The album begins promisingly with Scott’s signature cadence and proven flow. However, track two, “2000 Excursion,” quickly loses its way. After a confusing first verse from Scott, an interesting beat switch is completely derailed by Sheck Wes’s lyrics, followed by Don and Scott sounding like novices experimenting with auto-tune.
Guest Spots and Missed Opportunities
The next track features 21 Savage, and Scott’s initial verse here stands out as his best on the album, boasting solid similes and a catchy flow. Yet, the song falls apart when the beat switches again, leading into what might be 21 Savage’s weakest contribution, mainly consisting of him repeating his name.
Subsequent tracks like “Dumbo” are forgettable, offering too little too late. SoFaygo’s solo effort feels uninspired, like an athlete full of potential but always sidelined.
Moments of Shine Amidst the Repetition
“Velour” by Toliver and Sheck makes a decent attempt but takes too long to build up for its payoff. “Contest,” featuring Scott and Faygo, is plagued by repetitive and meaningless bars.
“ILMB” emerges as a strong contender for a car playlist, though its hook makes it unsuitable for family listening. The standout, however, is “Where Was You.” Its instrumental, featuring Japanese strings, elevates the track significantly.
This song, less dependent on Scott, truly shines with contributions from Playboi Carti and Future, making it a definite save from the album.
The Underlying Issues: Production vs. Lyrical Depth
As the album progresses, a clear pattern emerges: the backing tracks are consistently good, often saving songs from being skipped. However, the verses are frequently inconsistent, shallow, and overproduced.
The album also suffers from an overuse of voice notes, a stylistic choice that only enhances truly profound music. Unlike a Kendrick Lamar album or Eminem’s “Paul’s Skit,” these voice notes don’t add depth when the lyrical content itself is lacking.
Travis Scott’s Influence and Modern Rap
Scott often cites Kid Cudi as his inspiration. While Scott’s influence on a new generation of artists like Faygo is undeniable, he hasn’t delivered the kind of impactful, storytelling rap seen from artists like Tupac or Eminem.
This leads to a new wave of rap that often focuses solely on superficial themes, reinforcing damaging stereotypes about the genre. While some modern rap sounds appealing, the lack of substance can be alarming.
Artists within the genre need to step up. Take Drake, for example, who balances mainstream hits with more thoughtful tracks, providing something for both audiences and aspiring artists to aim for.
- “Jackboys 2” largely rehashes old themes and sounds.
- The album features strong instrumentals but weak, often shallow, lyrical performances.
- Despite some standout tracks, the overall project lacks replay value or profound impact.
Ultimately, “Jackboys 2” is a collection of hits and many misses, failing to leave a lasting impression or compel listeners for a revisit, though its tracks may still dominate social media feeds for a while.
