JPEGMAFIA - I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU

Written by Joshua Kirk (8/30/24)

Barrington Hendricks (better known as JPEGMAFIA) has been pushing the boundaries of underground hip-hop into a distinct sound that’s become influential in the last few years. From his 2018 breakout Veteran to his shit-hot collaboration with fellow eccentric MC Danny Brown, 2023’s SCARING THE HOES, Peggy’s evolution has been one to simply marvel at. However, it’s not until 2024 that he has finally released his magnum opus, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. This album is by far the most hard-hitting, unapologetic, boundary-crushing, vulnerable, and shockingly heartfelt piece of work that Hendricks has produced.

Just look at the two lead singles: “SIN MIEDO” and “don’t rely on other men.” The former has a brash lead sample, roaring bass, glistening melodies and beats, and sharp heavy metal guitars that yield killer solos in the second half. On top of the chaos, Peggy spits his brains out and calls out the lack of realness and creativity from so-called “tough rappers.” The latter was an incredible choice for the first single, and it continues to hit hard to this day. Demonic bass synth, ASMR voice samples, a pulsating beat, and haunting chimes are smashed together as Hendricks drops many a sick lyrical work of genius: “You ain’t slinging the rock like Candlemass / Need to stay in the crib with your gamer pass.” Also, the more melodic second half is quite powerful.

Highlights in the album’s first half include the visceral intro track (you can’t get more JPEG than a Dillon Brooks name-drop), the hypnotically catchy “it’s dark and hell is hot” (what is that crazy-ass beat?), and the smart and hilarious “New Black History” (Vince Staples killed it). There’s also noticeably greater usage of guitars, hardcore punk-style inflections (“vulgar display of power” is nasty as hell), and even live strings (primarily on the emotional second half). On that note, Hendricks delivers some of his most robust material to date by the halfway point. “Exmilitary” features a prominent soul sample over which he can spit out any buzz-worthy line you can imagine. By far the most unapologetic and weird cut at this point is “JIHAD JOE”: the front-half has a horror movie-type beat with him rapping through what sounds like a fast-food speaker box, while the back-half crashes through with blistering guitars and drums, along with a furious rap performance.

Beyond this point, Peggy manages to reel things in a bit and although his attitude is still intact, he comes off more human than he ever has in his own music. “JPEGULTRA!” kicks off with an awesome guest verse from Denzel Curry (“Lana Del, more smarter Del,” LOL) and eventually lands with a meaty two-verses-in-one about our artist’s personal and artistic growth. He then doubles down on the self-searching on “either on or off the drugs” and “Don’t Put Anything On the Bible,” with a gorgeous and angelic Buzzy Lee-featuring first half. Rounding things out is likely Hendricks’s most tender composition thus far, “i recovered from this.” Acoustic guitars and strings collide nicely with a pitch-shifted vocal sample that sounds somewhat folky. As for the verse itself, Peggy brings a closure of sorts to this musical journey that even his most vocal detractors can’t deny.

I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is likely the strongest contender for the best hip-hop album of 2024. JPEGMAFIA has already produced some wonderfully eccentric classics in this decade with LP! and SCARING THE HOES but there’s a consistency and a focus to this album that gives his previous efforts a run for their money. Part kickass rap-meets-rock experiment, part self-searching and emotive spiritual journey, this is Peggy’s fullest artistic vision now becoming reality.

Favorite songs: “BIG BOOTY HOES UP WITH IT” - Mr. Mixx of 2 Live Crew, 1995

Least favorite song: “Those dirty ass rappers playing with each others' dicks with 0 women around looping records no one wants to hear” - Barrington Hendricks, 2024