ALBUM REVIEW: GANG51E JUNE - THIS 2 SHALL PASS
The Hope. Also known as Gang51E June. If you’re really a day one fan then you really know it is pronounced GangTie June. But day one fan or not, what isn’t to be confused is his position as the hottest artist in the state. It’s undeniable that he has the crown. His popularity has only grown during the Pandemic as seen on his YouTube page that shows the millions of views that grow each day, which he was able to create with the help of fellow Tulsa native vidographer King Spencer. Believe me these numbers don’t lie. In an age of artists buying streams Gang51E June has true support and a following that truly shows up to shows as well as supports his albums on social. As soon as the mention of an album drop the social media exploded with reposts of the artist from 51. Now that Gang51E June has truly solidified himself as the hottest artist in the state he’s out to prove that it ain’t over yet. Gang51E June is back with his latest project “This 2 Shall Pass”.
This is the follow up project to his album “Preaching from the Projects” that was released in 2020. What’s interesting is that the new album has 19 tracks. A heavy dose in an age of streaming and EPs but then again it’s been two years since Gang51E June has dropped a project. He’s been busy linking with other artists and a nationwide tour with Kevin Gates. He’s reached that next level of fame that reaches far beyond Tulsa. This may leave many thinking has Gang51E June forgot about Tulsa. An answer that comes apparent very quickly.
“We on Gangsta Time”
The album starts out with “The Call”, a skit that replays the memory of Gang51E June losing his brother, the sounds of the thunder, foreshadow to a dark moment in his life and sets the stage for the rest of the album. This leads into the first song off the album “Souljaz Cry”, which is a reflective track about his life and the curse that comes from the lifestyle combined with this low tempo down beat feel he still reminds everyone that “We on Gangsta Time”. The next track up is “Static Rain” which has it’s first featured artist Birdy, accompanying also is a video that just like the song, takes the listeners on a journey. The track is an outlet to get off his feelings from all the things that have been going on in his life. Like he’s expressing the price fame especially in the line, “I would go and buy me a new 51 chain but I just bought my granny a new tombstone.”.
“Homicide Man” is the 4th track on the album and from the very beginning Gang51E June speaks to his relationship with his father. He seems to be asking if his father’s absence is the reason why he chose this life, or was he just destined for it. One of the best standout lines comes from this track. “These niggas act like they some coaches, they keep throwin’ subs”. The video shows a father son playing ball in the front driveway and eventually transitions to Gang51E June as the kid who witnesses his father in a shootout, Checkout the video below.
Next we have “Cold Shoulder” which is a song about blocking out the bullshit and all the rumors, and above all to not forget the mission. Before the track ends there is a skit about his family that he's giving the cold shoulder to, and is a lead into track 6 “Family Feud”. From Jay-Z we know that no one wins when the family feuds. In this track Gang51E June raps about the family differences that has divided him from his loved ones and the love that hasn’t been the same since his granny died. A standout line comes from the monologue where he says ”The most beautifulest flowers have the sharpest thorns”. Is Gang51E June really in Tulsa? The next skit answers this question as a pair of McClain students can’t wait to tell him just how much gossip and tabloid headlines surround an artist who is at the top.
“If Cutty miss when he slidin, I’m sweepin’ behind him like he was forgettin his ….. Chores.”
“Ain’t nobody comin to see no Otis”. Which happens to be the 7th track and possibly one of the best on the album. The production is this old-time blues inspired feel combined with a hard hitting 808 bass. Gang51E June talks that talk. It’s him reminding niggas that I’m the one on the throne and it’s my time now. “If Cutty miss when he slidin, I’m sweepin’ behind him like he was forgettin his ….. Chores.” There is even a line about David Ruffin. This is his rap track. The bars hit hard, the metaphors keep you on your toes, and the bravado and tone in his voice would make hip-hop heads bob their heads in the barbershops and say. “Now that’s how you supposed to rap.”
https://open.spotify.com/track/03CB9bvsziQQWGEsBLMwHa
But that ain’t all. Gang51E June ain’t gonna leave the ladies out, which is what track 8, "Anita" come in. He takes a moment to serenade the ladies and if you know Gang51E June’s audience then you know the ladies love him. And they love the gangsta love he talks about in tracks like this.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7xHPjLPNyrVbIyGJmQwX5E
The midpoint of the album features Gang51E June’s biggest artist feature to-date. The one and only Kevin Gates. The two cooked up a track on Kevin Gate’s Khaza Tour on a track called “4Reign Gangsta”. This is one of those standout tracks on the album and Gang51E June shines along with one of the biggest artists in the industry. The even two released the video to the single where The Hope again shined.
The 10th track is really the definition of his music. "Reality Advocate". That’s what Gang51E June is and what his music communicates. Reality. After all the news cameras left after the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre passed Gang51E June is still in the city shining light on the reality of the aftermath and current state of the north side, and It’s with a soulful sample that he describes as Ghetto Gospel.
A familiar Producer tag “Pipe that shit up TNT” the famous South Carolina producer TNTXD that helped shape Rod Wave’s sound contributed to track 11 “Cursed Generation”. The track is about showing empathy for his father because he realizes there are generations of absent love that had a dominoe effect and eventually lead him to the streets. Next up is the track “What N****z Do”. This is one of the go to tracks off the album. The jazz inspired production by producer BandPlay puts an up tempo saxophone front stage capturing the history of Tulsa music. Jazz music has deep roots in Tulsa and is still a part of the Tulsa music scene. Also on this track are clever bars like, “I feel like a hanger how I hold the T”. It’s a line that’s nestled so deep in the rhythmic pattern of the verse that you might miss it if you're not listening closely.
"Past Callin". Is pretty self-explanatory, but don’t dismiss the track. This is more of an easy listen and one of the shorter songs off the album. "No Auto Tune" is one of those tracks where Gang51E June takes the gloves off to let you know that without the auto tune he’s just as deadly on the track. The beat has this creepin bounce to it. And Gang51 June walks down on the track.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7l6kQEz3yApPeFSiFCvZvX
You know you making it big when you make an interlude. But more importantly you’re putting together a cohesive and intentional project that goes through different highs and lows. "Lilana’s Interlude" is the glue that holds the end of the album together and keeps the listener’s ear. Another easy listen and vibe for the ladies.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5JntpKVeyUbgX1GK5TSmft
When it comes to being an artist it’s your job to inspire. Gang51E June does this for the city but also pays homage to the legends. “The Hate I Gave You” which is inspired by Tupac’s motto and T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. is an example of just that. You can hear the familiar Tupac chorus “Shawty wanna be a thug” that is used to complement Gang51E June’s deep lyrics. It shows that the T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. isn’t limited to a city or state. It’s something that occurs everyday and it’s real.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5XQYBX8l4YVAqwwV711efn
Next is the title track “This 2 Shall Pass” which is a skit that Gang51E June speaks to a friend about his trials and tribulations that comes with the fame. And at this time when he thinks he can finally excel bullets ring out and the next track starts.
“DLow got 18 on the yard like he was Peyton Manning.”
"Wockin’ On A Wire”, a slower paced track where Gang51E June expresses the feeling of being on cough syrup and the escape it provides from the pain. “Dlow got 18 on the yard like he was Peyton Manning.” The track also features popular Alabama rapper NoCap. The last track on the album is “A Father’s Ballad”. Not gonna lie the hip-hop fan in me wanted one more rap track, but this is a concept album so I understand the direction he decided to go with this one. It’s a ghetto love ballad to his daughter and protecting that love with his life. This track is proper ending to an album that lived up to the hype and was worth the wait.
https://open.spotify.com/track/71pj0bQbsMj9uGavDxsTuc
There you have it, our review on Gang51E June’s new album “This 2 Shall Pass”. There are some important things to point out. First Gang51E June is still the hottest in the state. Just look at social media, as well as the respect he gets from his peers, and most importantly the fanbase that he has created and cultivated. Secondly, the album is that next level of progression that you would expect from an artist that’s got the juice. The album has big name features as well as super producers that help shape the album and show that this isn’t an up-and-coming artist that is rapping in the closet. This album has a quality sound. The skits also reflect the next evolution of being an artist that is able to put together a cohesive project. Last but not least. Gang51E June delivers. He shines no matter what artist is featured and he shows off that he has bars while at the same time still being able to cater to the ladies. This is an album that is well rounded and something you gotta listen to. So Go listen to the album and let us know what you think!
Listen to the album here!
Thanks for reading!
Make sure you follow Gang51E June on all his social media below:
Instagram: (gang51ejune)[https://www.instagram.com/gang51ejune/]
Twitter: (@Gang51eJune)[https://twitter.com/Gang51eJune]
YouTube: (Gang51E June)[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeCijySJvjnHSzFKV8d3yw]
Spotify: (Gang51E June)[https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WPIT3gvl0GWGIMFBkFvUe?si=D9X1etXAQv6Pmqlul9zYiA]
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