CJ, Loyalty Over Royalty | Album Review 💿

CJ brings ample energy on Loyalty Over Royalty, but lacks profundity, failing to bring distinct artistry or transcendence to the table.

Vibe is important – it’s key in the music of the 2020s.  That said, vibe without much substance behind it only goes so far.  Perhaps that why a rapper like 🎙 CJ (Christopher Daniel Soriano Jr.) seems to have a low ceiling from the beginning where his career is concerned.  “The CJ experiment appears to be nothing more than a cash grab,” Alphonse Pierre writes via Pitchfork about New York’s up-and-coming drill rapper.  Is he wrong in his assertion though? Soriano scored a legitimate hit with 🎵 “Whoopty”,  yet it’s hard to envision copycats of that banger truly striking the same chord.  The drill rapper is smart to strike while the fire is hot on 💿 Loyalty Over Royalty, but this 18-minute project leaves much to be desired all said and done.

“Politics” 

🎵 “Politics” commences Loyalty Over Reality unapologetically – understatement.  That goes with the territory where drill music is concerned, of course.  While CJ is tough and amps up the trash talk, he does so with a short runtime – under two minutes.  That’s generally the case on the entire project. That seems to be by design, considering the rapper isn’t exactly delivering lyrics that could be considered a poetic masterpiece.  Nonetheless, it is a vibe, and the production work by 🎛 Pxcoyo is aggressive, dark, and malicious (also, in a minor key).

On the follow-up, 🎵 “Set,” CJ maintains his aggressive, hella confident approach. Likewise, he retains Pxcoyo on the boards from “Politics.”  That works out for him, as Pxycoyo offers similar cues (stuttering beat, robust bass synth) while also providing some contrast.  Again, “Set” keeps it brief, clocking it at just two minutes and change.  That’s positive, given the fact that lyrically, depth and transcendence don’t seem to be the rapper’s thing…

“BOP” 

“I think they’re feelin’ my bop now, huh / We on top now,” CJ asserts on the chorus of 🎵 “BOP”, his second single. He has a point there, given the success of “Whoopty,” regardless of what any critics think. Anyways, this banger, produced by 🎛 AN (Angel Peña), finds Soriano totally feeling himself with the usual clichés and platitudes.  These include ‘being the shit,’ sex with any and everybody’s girls, and of course, drip to the nth degree.  Honestly, that’s the size of this purported “BOP” – it runs no deeper than that. Soriano brings nothing ‘brand-new’ or particularly fresh on the shortest record on Loyalty Over Royalty. A bop? Methinks not.

“Bitch, I’m outside, it’s a movie (Whoopty), huh / Blue cheese / I swear I’m addicted to blue cheese.” Woo! While CJ touts “BOP”, it’s his actual bop, ✅ 🎵 “Whoopty,” that earns crowning achievement honors on Loyalty Over Royalty.  Listen to it once and you can see why listeners were drawn to it.  It’s a banger, period.  The artist is confident AF, as he references his money, “blowing her back out,” and of course, shooters.  It’s generic mind you, but in this particular case, it’s the best realization of what he’s going for. The sampling, coupled with Pxycoyo’s added music definitely set the record up for success.

“I’m Lit”

Following up “Whoopty” is a tall task. It’s smart that the sole collaboration, 🎵 “I’m Lit,” arrives next.  This is another sub-two-minute joint, bringing in rapper 🎙 French Montana, another artist who’s not exactly, um, known for his profundity. Positively, this ‘lit’ joint gets production by 🎛 Bankroll Got It, 🎛 Diego Ave, and 🎛 ZNF. Might as well have a LIT backdrop considering there’s just really not much here. 

Following a number of shorter records, we get the second longest song, 🎵 “Goin’ Up,” which runs two-and-a-half-minutes in duration. Switching up the production duties once more, 🎛 DAYSIX stitches up the track.  Like everything else on Loyalty Over Royalty, CJ has the fuel behind him in the form of a knocking trap beat.  No, DAYSIX doesn’t necessarily do anything surprising from a production perspective, but it’s effective.  Give the rapper a little credit for stretching a bit, offering a more melodic approach.  Does it really stick? Meh, but there’s some contrast at least.

“Real One” 

On penultimate cut 🎵 “Real One,” a familiar name shifts duties from rapping to working behind the boards: French Montana. Here, the purported realness, lasts under two-and-a-half minutes.  Like “Goin’ Up,” there’s more melody from CJ.  Thematically, however, he remains limited.  Honestly, how many times have we heard about the notion of a “real one” as well as sexual endeavors? Lots of times at this point, hence why “Real One” shows little resonance.

If you’ve been waiting for that three-minute-plus cut, well, you finally get it on the closer, 🎵 “Outro (Blessings)”! Exciting, right? Additional contrast arrives from the production perspective as 🎛 Woodpecker handles the boards for the first time.  CJ gives thanks for the come-up, another rap cliché (just saying).  At best, it’s okay – nothing truly earth shattering, groundbreaking or the least bit transcendent.

Final Thoughts 💭

So, how does Loyalty Over Royalty stack up? It’s meh at best, keeping it 💯. CJ brings plenty of attitude, energy, and toughness, however, he doesn’t bring much substance.  The best song is “Whoopty,” and even that hit is no game changer.  Ultimately, this is a forgettable album that’s more about vibe than truly establishing artistry.

✅ Gems 💎: “Whoopty” 

🎙 CJ • 💿 Loyalty Over Royalty • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 2.19.21

[📷: Warner]