This is the straight-talking pep talk that introduces J Hus’ third album. A highly anticipated return that comes just over three years since the heavily applauded Big Conspiracy – an album that stamped J Hus with a definitive authority – there was bound to be a level of pressure on his shoulders.
What separates Hus from his rapper counterparts is his realness. Among the slick yet explicit tales of romps comes a brutal honesty derived straight from his life experiences. Comeback track “It’s Crazy” was welcomed with raucous applause upon first release. The long-awaited return hits all of the right notes with his devoted listeners. “Why you wanna see the devil in me / When I wanna live my life peacefully” Hus exclaims as he details reclaiming his throne and putting power over fame.
In simple terms, Beautiful and Brutal Yard (B.A.B.Y) shows Hus display his greatest quality - his music. Straightening his ‘darling of UK rap’ crown, it is an album that experiments with a variety of sounds and sonic styles, in a more dynamic way than previous offerings. Jorja Smith's collaboration “Nice Body” has a swirling menace, dabbling in romance with the repeated line “I like you for your mind and not your nice body”, meanwhile “Massacre” with its low and slow strums details how he grew into his power.
Alongside the aforementioned Jorja Smith, there are a variety of top-class collaborators that bolster the album. Naira Marley on the jangling “Militerian '', Burna Boy on the swaying “Masculine” and none other than Drake on second single “Who Told You”. It is undoubtedly the song of the summer and a real block party filler. However, a serious argument arises as to whether Drake’s verse is entirely necessary. But given Drake’s undying love for UK culture (see the line “Your backside is so fit it opens eyes”) and J Hus’ emotionally triumphant return to the stage at Drake’s O2 show in 2019, it seemed somewhat inevitable.
There is a clear reason why J Hus is well respected within the realm of music. Through his simple yet effective music model, he has created his very own empire built on power and authority. Beautiful and Brutal Yard displays both the beauty and brutality of the world, from a man at the top but also aware of where he came from. It is an album that connotes the essence of home, and his home is his music.
