Before even getting into this review, please understand Stay Trippy is NOT Juicy J’s debut album. With that out of the way, Juicy J returned with his first album in four years and closing one of the strongest mixtape runs in history. Juicy J put a lot into this album following his peaking popularity and his deal with Taylor Gang.
Last summer, Juicy J dropped “Bands a Make Her Dance” on one of his popular mixtape releases. Both 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne added verses to the track and it led to the song that became the anthem of the summer. Juicy J even admitted he was disappointed that the album didn’t drop last summer.
Better late than never and a few rappers know exactly what that means. When 2013 rolled around, Juicy J posted another hit with “Show Out” featuring Big Sean and Jeezy, who then went by Young Jeezy. “Show Out” became another hit, but not along the lines of his initial single.
Juicy J had collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Project Pat, Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Wale, and Trey Songz featured on the album. Stay Trippy lives up to the title of the album and anyone looking for anything other than that got what they deserved if they were disappointed. Memphis is the proud home of Juicy J and he’s never turned his back on his city, or his longstanding friendship with Project Pat, which continued on this project.
Pittsburgh has embraced Juicy J and he fits with their sound, which was incorporated on the album. Memphis is home and, of course, it was also prominently featured on Stay Trippy. All of the collaborations fit and the “Woods” track with Justin Timberlake needs to go ahead and become a single already. Stay Trippy probably won’t become the album of the year, but it’s a hell of a way for Juicy J to re-establish himself in the game.
Hip Hop Vibe’s Rating: 5/10
