Juicy J has made good on his promise to release new music this year by taking an unconventional route and dropping a brand new project mid-week.
The Three 6 Mafia co-founder surprised fans on Tuesday (May 21) by releasing a 16-track album titled Mental Trillness 2 , his 2023 mixtape ’s sequel.
The LP also features guest appearances from Sukihana, Project Pat, Xavier Wulf and idoltknowjeffery.
Listen to the full recording below:
Last year, the Memphis rap legend revealed that he had been hard at work on new music and planned to release it in 2024.
“I have about 7 albums to drop in 2024 and I’ve never worked harder in my life,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m going to buy a house on the beach, grow my hair out, and be a full-time hippie. [trophy emoji] Do you dig it?
The 49-year-old seemed inspired to take matters into his own hands after expressing concerns about the current state of rap music, saying he wanted to bring his peers together to discuss strategies.
In October, he posted a PSA on Instagram in which he discussed hip-hop’s alleged “40% decline” in 2023 and what could be done to reverse the decline.
“I know a lot of people don’t want to hear this, but I’m telling the truth,” he began. “Rap music is down 40% this year. I’ll say it again. Rap music is down 40%. Check the charts, check the math.
“I don’t make the rules. I don’t make the rules. It’s down 40%. What do we do as rappers, producers, songwriters, etc.? Because it’s down 40% this year. Check the charts! Do your research. This Is the truth.
“Let’s talk!” Juicy continued. “What are we going to do? As rappers, producers, composers, songwriters, engineers – what are we going to do, man? Rap is down 40 percent, man. We’ve got to figure something out. We’ve got to sit down and talk . Let’s have a meeting. Let’s meet somewhere… let’s talk about this, how we can turn this around.
“Because this is how we eat… Rappers — we make money rapping, performing, and publishing. Okay? This is how we make money. This is how we eat. This is how we take care of our families. Down 40%, n-gga. But I do, and I hope you’re willing to find a way to keep this damn money train going.
