Jamal J. - My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah
- printedraps
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Jamal J. has been covered on this blog a few times because of his talent as a skilled mc, and the ability to forge lyrical masterpieces grounded in authenticity and cultural depth. His latest album, My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah, is another addition to that list of highly executed music from Jamal J. From top to bottom, the album is a spiritual black experience. Songs like "Mudras & Gang Signs" and “Weigh Me Down” are examples of Jamal and his collaborators expanding on culturally relevant topics from an authentic point of view. Pulling from his own experiences as well as his community as a whole, Jamal J is able to put together a cohesive, honest, and overall skillfully impressive work of art with MA&BWM.
The album’s features are all fire and enhance the project’s vision rather than dilute it. Contributions from Israel Jones, ANKHLEJOHN, Willyynova, Sol ChYld, Rahiem Supreme, pulp Cruz , etc. are well-placed and purposeful, adding perspective while maintaining the project’s introspective core. There are no wasted appearances. Each verse feels aligned with the album’s thematic direction. You can tell when an artist is working with people that connect, not only on a musical level, but also in key principles.
Production from pulp Cruz, Saint Kay, Let The Dirt Say Amen, Reallyhiim, Rahiem Supreme, and others provide a dusty, meditative backdrop that allows Jamal J’s writing to remain front and center. The beats are fleshed out, while allowing Jamal J the space to play with his ever-evolving flow. The music is urgent, but the production is designed to be something to live with. The samples, the references, the sonic landscape of this album reinforces the reflective tone and emotional weight of the project.
My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah is a focused, honest body of work that prioritizes substance over spectacle. These bars are holistic in their purpose, but also give runway to the confident braggadocios side of Jamal J. The dichotomy of being a vessel to the community as a truth-speaker, and standing as a true competitor in the sport of hip-hop, is something that only few artists are able to balance. Jamal J is one of those artists.