Nearly two years after creating Lovelly’s Baby Boy’s second album, Richmond, California-based emcee Juganot da Beast returns with his third studio-length record. He burst onto the scene in the fall of 2019 with his debut EP POME (Product of My Environment), followed a year later by his debut album Pennsylvania Ave as well as the Love is Pain mixtape and the aforementioned Lovelly’s Baby Boy . I had the pleasure of meeting Juganot in person a few months ago on Astronomicon 7 and he told me he was glad we connected, which flattered me so much that I decided to give Purgatory a listen
“Guillotine” is a shocking opener, explaining that they don’t understand how different he really is here, and “Hold Me Down” kind of gives me a dull trap vibe, acknowledging that he’s been going through this for a while. “U Ain’t Mobbin'” gives off a grim vibe, mocking all those phonies who have nothing to do with gang life, but then “Not My Problem” starring Swanky Rich takes a dark look at what bitches shouldn’t worry about matter.
We had some piano and cymbals for “Where Jug At?” Ahead of the standout song “None of Ya’all,” featuring his cousin G-Mo Skee, he addressed those who have been looking for him, thanks to Eminem’s current hype man mR. D12’s pre-fame photos make it clear they won’t deal with these assholes here. “Old School 50” combines kick and snare, showcasing the same beastly pedigree as 14-time WWE World Champion and CCO of Endeavor’s TKO Group Holdings division Triple H, leading into the smooth “Holla at You” Be romantic.
“You Can Be Touched” gives off a bit of a mob glow over the beat, telling you he doesn’t care how many bodies you drop and it’s an epic fail even trying to kill the beast. First up, the guitar-driven “For Young “My own letter” conveyed a message to Jugano in the past. “OG” futuristically refuses to focus on money, while the Nobe-produced, violin-laced “I’m Him” discusses reaching the next level. “Everybody’s a Killer” blends g-funk and horrorcore, calling out to those pussies who started rapping, while the jazzy “Letter to Heaven” ends with a promise of solitude.
G-Mo has been my favorite MC for over a decade, ever since his verses on “Lunchtime Cypher” and “Innermost Hate” as well as Purgatory, and if anything he’s shown himself to be the most powerful Juganot da Beast ever He put his heart and soul into it, which is why I hope he doesn’t give up making music after this. Production ranges from trap to boom bap, g-funk, horrorcore, jazz rap, mobb music and cloud rap, supporting Juganot’s most passionate lyricism to date.
Score: 8/10
