There’s no debating that Joyner Lucas is a gifted technical lyricist. Whether or not you find him engaging, think he’s corny, believe he’s the G.O.A.T., or feel he inspires nothing more than ambivalence is beside the point. On a pure level of rap mechanics, he’s highly proficient.
Whether he’s shit-talking, going after wack MCs in the game (basically all of them, in his opinion), lamenting dissolved relationships, or railing against the phony aesthetics that he views as a plague of modernity, he does so eloquently and cleverly — especially on his new album, Not Now I’m Busy.
On his second studio LP, Lucas is hellbent on proving that he is both the best and wildly overlooked. He’s been betrayed, but he perseveres. He’s tougher, stronger, smarter and happier than everyone else, but man, does he have a lot to complain about. Despite the Massachusetts rapper’s lyrical pyrotechnics, this is an album that turns the world into his own vacuum, relegating everyone else to supporting actors at best. It’s hollow, and when it’s not, it’s actively vindictive. The bars may be hot, but Not Now I’m Busy is not much fun at all.
The moment that best exemplifies this is the sprawling, nearly-operatic “Broski.” It tells the story of a dear friend of Joyner’s, one who’s been by his side since the MC was six years old. He spells out their relationship during the track’s beginning: “Today, I had a conversation with one of my bros/ My homie, he’s been close to me since we were six years old/ He calls my mama, ‘Mom,’ he seen all of my highs and lows.”
Joyner Lucas outlines the evolution of their relationship, before his supposed friend starts asking for things. He recalls his pal saying: “I quit my job ’cause I don’t wanna work for no other n-ggas/ What maybe works for some, don’t work for some other n-ggas/ Yeah, they pay good, but you know I’m a stubborn n-gga/ Plus, I know you got my back, right?” It’s annoying, and it seems like Lucas’ friend is taking advantage of him, but this slight makes Lucas so mad it fuels the entire album.
On “Sticks & Stones,” which features Conway The Machine and finds Joyner Lucas spitting over a Griselda type beat — one of the more impressive chameleonic efforts on the LP — the latter continues to rail against perceived enemies. He spits: “I’ve seen my own family stab my back, I should’ve known/ They say sticks and stones’ll break your bones, I’m sticks and stones/ I wish I could pick up phones, but…”
Holding a grudge can be satisfying, but just pick up the phone, man. The pain isn’t worth it.
RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2024
RECORD LABEL: Twenty Nine Music Group
Listen to Not Now I’m Busy below:
I thought it’s a good album
The hell is this? This isn’t even a review! Album is great.
only about half way through the album and thus far it’s much better than this review is claiming.
This ‘Journalist’ lost me when he claimed this was Joyner’s seconds studio album when it’s his fourth.
Solid album, better than the last effort (Evolution). Production is excellent, Joyner’s storytelling is great and it’s another prime example of what a concept album should sound like.
Joyner also may have given us one of Twista’s most personal verses ever.
This ‘Journalist’ lost me when he claimed this was Joyner’s seconds studio album when it’s his fourth.
Solid album, better than the last effort (Evolution). Production is excellent, Joyner’s storytelling is great and it’s another prime example of what a concept album should sound like.
Joyner also may have given us one of Twista’s most personal verses ever.
This ‘Journalist’ lost me when he claimed this was Joyner’s seconds studio album when it’s his fourth.
Solid album, better than the last effort (Evolution). Production is excellent, Joyner’s storytelling is great and it’s another prime example of what a concept album should sound like.
Joyner also may have given us one of Twista’s most personal verses ever.
Dope album.. Solid 4.0 in my book!
Dope album.. Solid 4.0 in my book!
Dope album.. Solid 4.0 in my book!
Talented kid, but I’m still not really sold on his music. Haven’t heard this yet, so I’m reserving my opinion on the album. Hopefully he fellback on the cosplay raps.
Did the reviewer just listen to the two songs that have videos for them? I haven’t heard the album in full, but the review kind of leaves that impression.
Haha, meanwhile lil pump has higher reviews than these actual talented rappers. These “reviewers”, need to g
do a better job, this is wack. Album was really great, even though im not a follower of his music.
Will Schube what’s your deal dude you sound like a real fool
you people are just haters
you people are just haters
Did my phone cut off the rest of the review or something, what is this?
Bro you smoking this album is fire
I’m not the biggest Joyner fan but for whatever reason the ppl on this site clearly have something against him. They rate garbage ass albums way higher than this. The way yall describe him holding grudges almost sounds like a description of the ppl who review his albums.
Rap album of the year so far.
Kudos On A Very Good/Great Album From Joyner Lucas You Can Listen To
The Whole Album No Skip’s Very Clean Beat’s Love This Album Very Much
Worth The Wait 9 Out Of 10
Kudos On A Very Good/Great Album From Joyner Lucas You Can Listen To
The Whole Album No Skip’s Very Clean Beat’s Love This Album Very Much
Worth The Wait 9 Out Of 10
if he was talking about “money cars and bitches” in a barely coherent word slow of an attempt at rapping i bet you mfers would be jumping all over that crap.
god forbid a man talk about whats really going on inside his head anymore
Shit was fire.
The album is absolutely awesome. Reviews like this is the reason Hip Hop is producing the nonsense we’ve been forced to hear.
The album is absolutely awesome. Reviews like this is the reason Hip Hop is producing the nonsense we’ve been forced to hear.
This is the perfect place to fart.