Mahogany Jones – Better [LP]

Mahogany Jones‘ brand of hip-hop music has always offered its listeners something different: personal pieces that are honest and true to the rapper/activist’s life experiences, yet universal enough to resonate with people from all walks of life. Her new album, Better, (which is exclusively produced by The Thirties production team) is no exception to the rule as it offers audiences a cache of airtight songs that are as memorable for their deeply felt lyrics as they are for their soul-steeped beats. This album feels like a reflection of where Mahogany finds herself at this moment in her life: dealing with issues from the past and present, choosing to face them head-on with an open heart and mind. It’s clear that the process has been both healing and challenging for her and her listeners can feel that catharsis through the music.

On the album opener “Start Over” Jones pens a confessional letter of appreciation to a loved one who has always been there for her through the ups and downs of life. The song is a refreshingly honest and vulnerable look at love, friendship, and the human condition as set to a simple harp melody, a sobering violin, and some pitched-up vocal samples. The track ends with a heartfelt hook from singer Latoya Johnson that perfectly sums up the song’s message: “You never ever failed me“. While it’s a relatively short number, the listener can’t help but feel moved by this statement and its deeper meaning. This is just one example of how Jones‘ music will grab you on an emotional level while remaining musically accessible and approachable.

That same heartfelt energy hits the listener with full force on other stirring numbers like “Strong Friends/ Weak Friends” (which features singer K.$OUL), “You Got This” (which features singer Macklyn), and “Gifted” (which features the always impressive Tiffany Gouchè).

The heavier energy of these more emotionally invested moments is counterbalanced throughout Better when Mahogany injects a lighter and more playful vibe into her music. This “less stress/more fun” approach to making music seeps from every rhyme and drum drop on upbeat tracks like the trap-leaning “Work“, the electro-funk influenced “Go“, and the rousing hit “God Been Good” (which features some syrupy southern flows from her producer/partner/husband Dre Marshall ). But it’s on the title track that Jones shows more than just a willingness to take risks with her music, but also a capacity for molding together seemingly disparate sounds into a cohesive and compelling whole. Riding a futuristic groove that would sound equally at home on a project by Megan Thee Stallion or Doechii, Mahogany cuts through a haze of synthy bleeps and blips with an unshakable confidence that she’s absolutely in her zone. The fact that she can accomplish this without sounding forced or contrived is a testament to Jones‘ continued growth as an artist and her ability to shape her own lane in an industry that often likes to force its artists into molds.

Overall, Better is a rather impressive album from Mahogany Jones, who continues to pop up on the radar of new hip-hop fans everywhere. Her songwriting and delivery are both top notch and she has a knack for crafting hooks that stick in your head long after you finish listening to them. This album is an easy listen, but there are still plenty of moments where Jones‘ talent shines through brightly enough to make it stand out from the pack.

You can listen to (and buy) the album via the links listed below as well as catch up on the latest music and news from Mahogany Jones by making sure that you’re connected to her via the social links listed below.

Stream & buy Mahogany Jones’ music on…
( Amazon | Apple_Music | Bandcamp | Deezer | Spotify | Tidal | YouTube_Music )

Connect with Mahogany Jones on…
( Facebook | Instagram | Official Site | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube )