Jay Rock’s highly anticipated sophomore effort 90059 is finally upon us and it’s a great listen that is equal parts trippy and trappy. The unique production value takes aim at combining the high points of other 2015 standouts like Sremm Life and AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP. Its sound ranges from acidic beats that weeble and wobble (but don’t fall down), as found on tracks like “Easy Bake” to spine tickling snare smacking like “The Ways.”
And while the new release from the California native provides some household names dropping fire bars with the likes Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar rapping their way into featured roles on 90059, his production team features a plethora of fresh faces. It should come as no surprise, though, considering Rock’s initial plans for his sophomore album-- telling HipHopDX in 2012, "Basically, I've been working with my same producers, nahmean? In-house. I've been working with upcoming producers, too, just trying to come with a whole new sound… I'm basically just re-building, that's all I'm doing, coming with something new."
Since it’s not proper etiquette to withhold credit where it is due - despite the 90059 liner notes providing the literal credit - we’d like to serve up the spotlight to some of 90059’s standout producers.
Click along while we let the beats drop.
J.LBS
90059 Tracks: "Gumbo," "Wanna Ride," "The Ways," "Telegram," "The Message"
J.LBS, or Jason Pounds, is a Californian native and seems to be a go-to for Jay Rock, having previously provided the beat for “Boomerang” in 2011. According to his ReverbNation.com page-- where you can find more of his instrumental stylings-- the guy has been mixing and making beats since the 9th grade. That dedication shows, as it has allowed for a diverse sound to manifest itself as displayed on 90059. His two tracks are wholly different, “Gumbo” super-funky and fun, while “Telegram” samples a hauntingly angelic voice that acts perfectly as the grey cloud that hovers over the track’s verses about unrequited/frustrating love.
We've also included several dope instrumentals from his Soundcloud, which also show off his diversity.
Flippa
90059 Tracks: “Money Trees Deuce”
After first garnering kudos and street cred for assisting Flying Lotus in the production of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly’s inaugural track “Wesley’s Theory,” Ronald “Flippa” Colson kept it within the Top Dawg Ent. family and produced the first single off of 90059 for Jay Roc, “Money Trees Deuce.” Despite picking up this steam in the past year, it’s not Flippa’s first foray in popular rap music, having provided production on the Eminem and Rihanna collaboration “Numb,” which charted both in North America and overseas.
Oh, and he has a Grammy to his name for his work on Rihanna’s Unapologetic. Not bad for a name you may not even know yet. You'll likely see his name again soon, as he worked on Ty Dolla $ign's Free TC too.
Digi+
Dave Free, Sounwave, Tae Beast aka Digi+Phonics
90059 Tracks: All of them*. Specifically: "Wanna Ride," "90059," "The Message"
This beat-making collective’s influence on Jay Rock’s second studio release is mightier than the liner notes may reveal considering its name is never said explicitly. After years of providing production for some of Top Dawg’s best emcees (including K.Dot’s smash hit “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” and Schoolboy Q’s “There He Go”), their touch is to be expected on Jay Rock’s record, albeit subtle. We've been watching them for a minute (we actually featured them in a list of 7 Producers You Should Know About back in 2012), however, they remain a close-knit and very selective crew-- meaning, they're not out here giving their beats to any and everyone (cough, DJ Mustard, cough). Three of its four members-- Sounwave, Tae Beast and Dave Free-- are credited as producers on 90059 with Free acting as the Associate Producer of the album in its entirety. Even though Digi+Phonics’ fourth member Willie B doesn’t get credited here, Tae Beast and Sounwave both get prime real estate as far as the tracklist goes. Tae provides production for 90059’s titular track and Sounwave gets the closing track “The Message,” an indicator of both Free looking out for his squad and Top Dawg recognizing real.
*collectively, technically speaking.
Antydote
90059 Tracks: "Easy Bake," "Wanna Ride"
Having served as a producer on the track “West Savannah” for Isaiah Rashad and SZA prior to his work on Jay Rock’s record, it would appear as though those two brought Antydote with them for 90059. He himself works on two separate tracks, once with SZA on “Easy Bake” also featuring Kendrick Lamar (and arguably the best track on the record) and again on “Wanna Ride” featuring Rashad-- so they’re really keeping the family tight. This seems to be in line with the young producer’s philosophy, who recently tweeted (@TheAntydote) “hurry up and create ur bubble.” It would appear that Antydote has, and it’s working for him, gifting two great beats that reappropriate the 90’s synth-siren sound that Dr. Dre pioneered into the next generation for Jay Rock.