Jae Millz

Jae Millz, more formally known as a producer earlier in his career, opened 2013 with Dead Presidents 2, a heavy rap sequel to his 2012 closing album, Dead Presidents.

The album opens with “The Walk In,” a short, partially plainspoken, partially rapped, introduction recounting his rap career thus far and his dedication to his roots—the east coast streets.

Millz plays on gimmicks to hook the listener with “Everyday Anthem,” a parody of the popular children’s rhyme “Miss Mary Mack.” The lyrics are rapped over a bassy and warped hip hop beat.

Unfortunately, Dead Presidents 2 takes a nosedive after the first few tracks and doesn’t pick itself back up lyrically. Millz sounds like he’s trying to emulate recent breakout rappers like Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz with gritty, raw rhymes instead of emphasizing his natural skill—producing.

Throughout Dead Presidents 2 it’s evident that Jae Millz is a much better producer than rapper. His rhymes feel glossed over and lack the punch of classic gangster rap style. The content is there—money, guns, and hustling—but the delivery is faulty.

The redeeming factor of Dead Presidents 2, the producing, is lost on newcomers to Jae Millz’s music.

Returning listeners can look past the weak vocals and enjoy the instrumental tracks on their own, but it’s not apparent that instrumentals are the star of Dead Presidents 2 until the last five tracks of the 22-track sequel.

For returning Jae Millz fans, it’s better not to invest the time in Dead Presidents 2.