Rittz – The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant

    Despite the pressures that are attributed to preparing a debut album, Rittz finds himself in a unique position for success. A Slumerican ally through and through, the Atlanta rapper joined Strange Music last year, and in doing so bought himself a slice of creative control for what would become The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant. With his Alabama brother and arguably the biggest independent label behind him, Rittz follows through with a project that captures the essence of his Gwinnett County upbringing.

    Much like Yelawolf, Rittz finds lyrical traction in examining his personal misfortune. Set to a gloomy backdrop, his words on “Misery Loves Company” flow off the tip of his tongue with ease as he details a broken conscience formed by adolescent negligence and substance abuse. Similarly, “My Interview” dissects different aspects of his life through public perception. While the record is rooted within a flat premise, it draws out a hostile side of Rittz that is warranted considering the repetitious questions he encounters. His rocky relationship takes center stage, with “Always Gon Be” candidly illustrating the pangs he goes through to form a better life for himself and his girl while out on the road.

    Of course, discussing Rittz wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his rapid-fire delivery. Likely a selling point in his deal with Strange, the Southern chopper holds his own alongside Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko on “Say No More” for a fiery track that will burn out the replay button. He keeps the swift syllables rolling on “For Real,” but where Rittz makes his most progress is when he pushes his musical boundaries. “Switch Lanes” may initially come off as a “girl record,” but from his vibrant demeanor to Mike Posner’s melodic offerings, it’s a convincing performance that will have fans pining for more. Taking a more soulful approach, Rittz taps Suga Free for a playful cut that’s right up the Pomona, California native’s alley.

    The brunt of the albums musical transgressions come when Rittz loses sight of his intent. In what was likely one of the more anticipated records on Jonny Valiant, the Yelawolf-assisted “Heaven” comes off as a cryptically clumsy effort. The same can be said for “F**k Swag,” a callous record that fastens Rittz as a disgruntled peer. Though it’s clear he’s internalized a disdain for rappers that gain notoriety based on their look rather than skills, the negative energy he put into making “F**k Swag” could have been used more productively elsewhere. Over a menacing beat courtesy of Five Points Music Group (spearheaded by DJ Burn One), “Amen” starts off solid with Rittz revisiting a recent coke binge gone awry. However, instead of continuing with the gripping experience, he awkwardly transitions into verses about homelessness and prom queens. Nothing wrong with diversifying, but a bit of focal discretion goes a long way.

    While Rittz hasn’t yet reached his recording pinnacle, The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant provides a thorough impression of his abilities as well as what he can strive for in the coming years. Going on nearly two decades since he first grasped the notion of becoming an emcee, it may have taken longer than expected, but Rittz is finally seeing the fruits of his labor flourish.

    318 thoughts on “Rittz – The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant

    1. The 2 songs you disliked so much, Fuck Swag And Amen, are 2 of my favorites. Other then that good review, I’d of gave it a 4.5

    2. I’ve met Rittz and seen him in concert twice, and I must say he is a very down to earth dude. This album is incredible, as I expected. He works hard, and it pays off. Can I get a High Five?

    3. GTFOH this album is a classic deserves a 5 and Fuck Swag is real talk ya’l just mad cuz he killed all that swag bullshit.

      1. u mad? maybe if the majority of the black audience didnt only support all the ignorant mindless club shit. it wouldnt be happening. in the mean time sit back and enjoy REAL music

    4. TDE is my favorite label in the game but I have mad respect for Strange Music. Every artist Tech signs has something unique to bring to the table, and Rittz is no different. I have a lot of catching up to do as far as purchasing music from more Strange artists. Def looking forward to it.

    5. I think it should’ve gotten 5 stars. It’s rare for an album to come out where EVERY SONG is on point. No need to skip around the trash on this one, whole album is top notch. I love “amen” it’s story tellin at its best. And I would have to assume that anyone who isn’t in love with the track “fuck swag” is most likely guilty of the things Rittz makes fun of in the song. I personally feel the track needed to be made. “Maybe we’re just old and outa touch” but I don’t get all this fake glasses, tight pants, and thrift store crap a lot of kids are into right now. Swag is temporary… Anyway, this album is fire from start to finish. Great job once again!! #Slumerican

    6. fuck swag is amazing…no complaint there. They just felt they had to find SOMETHING wrong haha. Maybe I can see the Amen point. but just because its the first verse or intro doesnt mean its the subject of the song. usually thats the chorus…which in this case would make them all make sense…so yes. 5 stars it is!

    7. “and arguably the biggest independent label behind him”

      What is there to argue?? please provide even 1 other label in competition with that title.

      1. E1 Music? Top Dawg Entertainment? Odd Future Records? Stones Throw Records? Rhymesayers Entertainment? Duck Down Music Inc.? Fool’s Gold Records? It’s A Wonderful World Music Group? Jamla Records? Soul Temple Records? ShowOff Records? Mello Music Group?

      1. My Top 10 Rappers
        1. Eminem (98-03)
        2. Black Thought
        3. Andre 3000
        4. Nas
        5. Talib Kweli
        6. Raekwon
        7. Jay-Z
        8. Common
        9. Mos Def
        10. eLZhi

    8. “The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant” is one of the most anticipated albums of 2013! The Rittz Street Team, has been looking forward to this album since the day it was announced. We wish Rittz, nothing but the best and to have a great future with Strange Music!

      Keep doing your thing, Rittz…There are so many people who are behind you and support you, we’ve got your back!

    9. Got the album at the Pittsburgh show on the Independent Powerhouse tour and its nothing but amazing

    10. Best album ive heard in a very long time!! Helped me with all of the same issues he went/ is going through. Strange better step up there game because Rittz is KILLING IT. He speaks the truth and sounds fantastic doing it with the lyricism and fast flows hes mastered!! I CANT WAIT for his 2nd album!!!! WHITE JESUS has ressurected!!

    11. Think my preorder with strange is being delivered to me tonight. All your comments are making me so damn excited for this album! can’t wait

    12. This is for real hip hop fans!!! This album is a classic! Dont sleep on this project & support Rittz!!

    13. I just listened to the album all the way through and it’s fantastic. Rittz really let us see who he is and I appreciate that more than he’ll ever know. This is the best album I’ve heard in 2013.

    14. Best album I’ve heard since Kendrick’s came out last year. Rittz is one of my,if not my fav emcee out right now and he has got me hooked on strange music now. 9.5/10 4.75/5

    15. Love his flow, and i dont have a bad thing to say about him.. i relate to him… not all song i love, thats impossible.. but i dont dislake any 🙂 FUCK yea… theres always room to improve. Hes dope, he fucking rhymes his ass off and look forward to more classics…

    16. Rittz is so fucking awesome. I love this album! So many good songs! He’s gona be real big one day. Slumerican shit!

    17. Rittz is great.what Jesus was great and this album def wasn’t a let down. No one rides a beat like this guy. He has mastered rapping. As long as he doesn’t change I think he’s going farrr!!!!

    18. Rittz iz so fucking dope I have to stay updated an THIZ album is gonna make burn out my repeat button! Much respect for strange an tech

    19. Just downloaded the album on Itunes, i’m glad most of the comments on here are positive.

      Gonna go listen now RITTZ BITCH

    20. Second half of the interview was shit, Fuck Swag was on point completely, Amen was dope, and Heaven was dope too, yela just ruined the mood. Yall (HHDX) need to stop with the “since I said something good, I gotta say something bad” bullshit. This is by far, one of the most complete albums I’ve heard in a long time! Rittz bitch!!!! 5/5

    21. Both Rittz are hard he got that flow need get it in with Twista or btnh love all his music that shit you did on box Chevy and question was hard too shiiiit keep it commin

    22. Just took a listen to this and I am so glad I did. Rittz kills shit. Nice vibe to the album. Yelawolf’s verse was wack though.

      1. agreed. Great album, but I was extremely disappointed with the yela track. one of the worst on the album.

      1. Rittz would rap circles around your racist troll ass. id say good luck with your potential music career, but we all know you will end up working a minimum wage job in 2 yrs.
        “my style you’re admirin, dont me mad, UPS is hirin!”

      2. You on here talking shit and pushing your crap music from a Myspace link?? Fuck outta here with that bullshit, who the fuck still does that??

    23. Love it, Rittz will be heard more after this. Hope it makes it to Canada for his tours, with YelaWolf and its complete 😛

    24. he kills it. such great lyric ability. great stories. deep lyrics. underground king coming up from the south

    25. This is the dopest album out right now hands down.. So glad Rittz is definitely where he deserves to be, been down with it since I first heard yuh and ima stay supportin it no matter keep killin shit dawg!

    26. I was really hesitant to check this out because I honestly dont fuck with none of the dudes he roles with. I respect Tech & Yelawolf but they dont make the kind of music I like so I figured this dude would be more of the same but I had a friend insisted I should listen to it so I did and this motherfucker is the truth. He keeps it real as fuck, got a wicked flow and switches it up from personal to storytelling to emotional to just ill shit without missing a beat. Only song on the album I aint like at was that one with Yelawolf, but this shit rides, gonna buy an actual copy of this shit tomorrow

    27. Man, this album is just amazing, I agree though that the goofy transition on Amen ruined a potentially amazing song (still BA though)

    28. Edwin obviously prefers his music in the swag variety to take a shot at Fuck Swag on this album. Rittz showcases his lyrical ability more on this song than any other in my opinion. This era of swag rappers we live in who get by on fooling people in to being something they’re not ala a Trinidad James, Kreayshawn, Lil B, etc… It’s all a joke and if you fall for it, you’re part of the joke. The days of having to be the best MC to be the best rapper are coming back and Rittz proves it.

    29. Truue… But I did agree with the “Heaven” jab. Yelwolf mailed that one in while probably drunk and lazy. He’s still sounds mad his shit flopped and cant be happy for Rittz going to Strange to make the album he was supposed to make. Jonny Valiant GOES HARD I love it. Just bought 5 copies from Best Buy. Support real music people.

      1. Rittz must have ALOT of love for Yela cause if that were me I’da made him re-write that shit, I mean its one thing to have a below average verse but what Yela did was almost like a slap in the face, that shit was barely rapping just rambling like an idiot.

    30. Never heard of Rittz before Sunday but I watched two of his sets Live on back to back nights and man, this dude is for real. He even had a drink with me. He impressed live so I copped his albu before it dropped at midnight. Jonny Valiant is for real all the way through. Strange Music about to be doing HUGE things with their new line up. Pay the ten bucks and support the man, he’s a real ass dude and a REAL rapper.

      1. Rittz is on an Independant label so Faces whole argument is useless against the guy. No executive is putting Rittz on prime time dude works for Tech N9ne

    31. This Albums 50000/5 star according to my “Reviewer Cant Talk Treal Because the industry is Punk” Radar! RITTZ SMASHED IT OUT THE PARK WITH THIS ALBUM!! Cant think of one.thing wrong with.it!!!!

    32. 5 stars this guy must.be an idiot! Whats the reviewer name Im gonna cause.him.a world.of.hurt hahahaaa!

    33. I can appreciate a critic but. Thing they need to remember is that critics are not artists. y’all need to let artists be what and who they are. If you could do it better you would right? Rittz album was solid white Gold. Let him be .never let go great track you didn’t mention cause y’all don’t understand the south you never have. Yelawolf killed his verse he sounded calm and comfortable. Y’all don’t understand him he’s waaay ahead of you slowpokes. Y’all love “swag” that’s why y’all can take the criticisms. Y’all floatin face down in the mainstream.

    34. 2013 is Strange’s year that’s for sure, This album bumps, not one track that I would skip. Hot damn, next one up is Wrekonize baby, then we finally get SOMETHING ELSE!

    35. white or black, this dude knocks, scarface is racist as hell in tht interview, if anyone is trying to assign hip hop a race they already missed the point

    36. I wasn’t diggin Rittz when he first signed with strange. But after watching a couple music videos and catching a dope live set at the Independent Power House Tour in Santa Cruz,Ca he sold me enough to buy his album. And I’m glad I did. This dude spits hard and isn’t afraid to drop real shit. Congratulations Rittz, you won me over as a fan and I hope more great things come to you on your journey! Strange Music all day all night!

    37. Gotta say, I have been following and listening to Rittz since I first got turned onto Yelawolf by Tech N9ne, and Rittz by Yelawolf! Every damn song the man puts out is fire! I disagree with Edwin and his assessment that F**k Swag and Heaven are any kind of a transgression! I hate “swag”, and what it has come to be in the whole world of hip hop and rap! It has made artists more noticeable for how they look, dress, act, and what they drive, rather than holding them to a standard of their skills! As such, many artists with true talent get looked over! Rittz was one of these! He is solid is his technique, honest about his flaws, and a true lyricist! He gave updates the entire time he was working on this album, and I for one believe that it would be tough if not damn near impossible to write a debut album with that kind of pressure on you! And as far as Heaven, Yela’s drunk word play gets me every time! How can you not see it as a banger?

      Tech N9ne knows what he is doing,knew what he was doing when he signed Rittz, and Edwin might want to go back to one of the interludes of Tech speaking on For Real, something about “f**k critics”! Nah man, not hating, just disagree with you on a few things here! You gave your honest review, I am simply putting my two cents in on what I did not agree with! Keep it up however, you are an awesome reviewer!

      1. And I was mistaken! Song I was talking about was “Say No More” and Tech didn’t say F critics, he said “before you can criticize, you should be a part of the project”! Nor was I saying F this review, just disagreed with a couple of points you hit on!

    38. Rittz is the hardest MC in the strange music lineup. Fuckin glad to see him with the snake and bat chain!!!

    39. I was able to listen to track after track and then it was on track 16 and over. I was begging for more. Rittz is an amazing new member of the record label Strange Music, co-founded by the great midwest lyricist Tech N9ne, who is from Kansas City, Mo. I would have to say I think Rittz is in good hands taking tips from people like Tech and even fellow labelmate Brotha Lynch Hung. Brotha Lynch Hung joined back in 2009 and is also a well known underground rapper. Can’t wait to see Rittz in concert again.

      1. Salty Walty I agree with you there sir, however if you want more, get the Itunes version! You get 3 extra tracks for a total of 19 to go through! And all 3 are fire!

    40. Absolute fire!!! Lyrical, flow and production is tight! One of the best albums I’ve heard in a long while

      1. Yeah, its all about a hasbeen who never was that sounds like sylvester stallone when he raps over shit production…. its all about that

      2. R.A. is wack. Never even made any good music, yet calls himself a legend. Haha what a joke.

    41. This album is southern trash at its best. Pick up my album it’s better than your moms twat. EVERY RECORD LABEL SUCKS DICK!!!!!

      1. I don’t like people trolling. But it’s kinda true. Wannabe black man is all I see. R.A. Is doper tho

      1. Rittz will never in his life come anywhere close to RA’s verse on Jedi Mind Trick’s Uncommon Valor. shit was glorious

    42. R.A. The Rugged Man “Legends Never Die(Modern Day Boom Bap Record) > Rittz “The Life & Times of Jacking album titles that have already been done before.

      1. Rittz > than an anonymous pussy on the internet who comments on the same thing like 7 times saying the same bullshit. RA’s album is dope, but what the fuck is your problem?

      2. Not really. You’re acting like the phrase “Legends Never Die” is something RA made up and is totally unique. And you’re either lying, or RA has a whole bunch of douchebag fans who posted 8 damn near identical comments over the span of 2 hours on an album review…that wasn’t Rugged Man’s

      3. Ummm ok….well I didn’t post that bro. I’ll put my name if that cools off your womanly hormones homie… Lol

      4. Not everyone’s hormones need cooling off, bro. That must be a personal issue 🙂 menopause can be rough, but you’re a fighter I can tell

    43. Este lbum es la droga como el infierno. Esta es una compra obligada para cualquier coleccionista de hip hop

    44. Tight album. Laughing at the girls that count other people’s money and get mad when someone has a dissenting opinion. Ya’ll are just some 12 year old girls. RA’s album was tight too. Now go put those dicks back in your mouth and nod your head while you wait for the warm money shot.

      1. classic? you’re a complete moron.

        no one will talk about this in a year’s time – NOT A CLASSIC

    45. Have you guys noticed, this Anonymous dude always talks mad shit on Strange Music’s albums? Sorry any Strange Music artist beats your favorite artist in making music. Go die kid.

      1. strange music pussy fans are so funny.

        have major tantrums when their bum-ass heroes are called out for being wack

    46. 1. BlaspHemous (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      2. Ice Cream BitcH (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It, co. Marz)
      3. Oxymoron (Produced by Pharrell Williams)
      4. DeatHsadvocate (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      5. Druggys wit Hoes Pt, Trois feat. Ab-Soul (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      6. Eat feat. Danny Brown (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      7. Talk My sHit (Produced by The Alchemist)
      8. Yay Yay (Produced by Boi-1da, co. The Maven Boys)
      9. Attitude feat. Kendrick Lamar (Produced by Pharrell Williams)
      10. Grooveline Pt. 2 feat. A$AP Rocky (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It, co. Marz)
      11. Ridin’ HigH (Produced by The Alchemist)
      12. Killing Spree feat. Action Bronson (Produced by The Alchemist)
      13. Fallen Soldiers feat. Jhene Aiko (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      14. Bang Bang feat. Ab-Soul, Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar [Black Hippy] (Produced by Digi+Phonics)
      15. Gangsta (Produced by Digi+Phonics)

    47. If you want to listen to a fat ginger rapper that has actual lyrical skill listen Action Bronson. Rittz mad average

    48. I agree, this cat is average compared to other newbies coming with hype atm, not feeling the album.

    49. Great album, this is a real hip hop album. So if you like gay shit then dont even bother listening…yes he raps fast what the fuck did you expect its Rittz

    50. Delivery is amazing as fuck, never misses a beat.
      Fits along with the most of Strange with that systematic articulate flow and being able to sing to some extent.
      Solid as fuck, the Mike Posner features were a bit too much for me but dude deserves shine.

    51. This is good music, Rittz always comes through. Thought it would be whack when i herd the “4real” single but the album is a 5.

    52. this album is too raw!! Dude can put deep meaning into songs and still make it something you can ride out and vibe too. Mad respect!!

      1. yea for real …im also 29 and after reading your comment INSTANTLY know that you dont know shiz about REAL rap..you prolly 3o somethin with skinny jeans bumpin drake

    53. Rittz is dope but ive been to 5 or more stores and cannot find it anywhere. Wtf? They need better distribution. Im a fan but i cant find the fuckin album to buy it!!!

      1. “Now they like man he raps too fast
        What you slow homie , you handicapped?
        What you need a walker, a hearin aid , and a fanny pack”

        haha rittz already said it
        F*** SWAG and you

    54. Rittz is a one of a kind rapper. From his crazy flows to a serious matter, i myself have not heard of anyone that is beating him. For R-E-A-L and Amen are solid and so are the rest. In my opinon best rapper out there, cant wait for more to come. 😀

    55. By far the best album in a while. He killed it.

      “Waistin Time” is one of my favorites or “Drift Away (Bonus)”

    56. Great Cd, dont be sleeping on Rittz. even if you have to, check this out on Spotify and you’ll want to go pick a copy up.

    57. i f*ck wit Rittz so heavy. Dude is so lyrical with such amazing flow & delivery. Fast, faster, crisp & clear. As someone once described so incredibly perfectly “You can’t possibly claim to love hip-hop and not at least respect Rittz’s impeccable ability”.

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