J. Holiday – Back of My Lac
By now you’ve surely heard the smash singles “Bed” and “Suffocate” so ladies, if there was any doubt, let it be known that J. Holiday has arrived. Better late than never, I decided to give his CD debut a whirl. By the second listen, I was floored.
For me, Ginuwine, John Legend, Craig David and R. Kelly set the standard for male R&B vocalists and after “Bed”, R&B fanatics around the country were calling J. Holiday the next great male soul artist. As a result, I came into this with high expectations and right off the bat was greeted with a surprise. The surprise was that there was more to J. Holiday than a hat leaning low. He really is from the streets and on his disc he allows listeners to relate to what he’s saying because he has to cred to know what’s going on and the mature charisma to let you know how it’s going on, with a little pimp swag to it.
Hearing “Ghetto” instantly made me a fan. This track starts with great guitar and superb drums even before Holiday impresses with his voice and meaningful lyrics. After only hearing his singles, “Ghetto” shows his less mainstream side with this street anthem:
I done seen plenty of cats get they ass knocked out
If you come round here better not run your mouth
I ain’t never been a thug but I still get down
Shots to South East to uptown
What you know about rent when it can’t get paid
Ya can’t get a coupe so you get a Chevrolet
And ya momma on her knees, all she can do is pray
But where I’m from this is life, same shit different day
Assuming the track’s lyrics get your blood moving and the beat gets your head boppin, before you know it J. is ready to break it down. The classic “Bed” fills the industry void since the last great Ne-Yo R&B song with J. singing “I’m gonna send you out into the world with my love.” Deep. You already know.
His confidence on each track grows throughout the disc, allowing him to reach deeper and give more of his raw self to the listener. “Come Here” isn’t exactly a banger but it’s a nice complimentary feel-good dance track. Darkchild brings it on both productions. “Be With Me:”
Baby… My Hearts Beatin’
Can’t You Hear It?
If I’m The Music
Your My Lyrics
Baby girl it’s killin’ me… girl it’s killing me…
Why you tryna act like you don’t
Like you don’t see what I see (oh oh oh)
(you should be with)
You should be with me
and “Without you:”
First let me apologize
for everything I did that made you cry
I know you don’t wanna hear this song
but I promise I wont take too long
I needed you hear the rest
at least I got it off my chest
don’t walk away
cuz if you do you’ll miss the best part
of what I gotta say
Baby I want, to go back in time
the to first time, get it right
I’m sorry
And my life is nothing without you, baby
J. Holiday earned my liking after hearing more than his first two singles because as with the four others, I feel he’s an artist for both men and women. He had a couple songs on the disc for everyone: the people in love, the heartbroken guy, the ladies and the thugs.
This kid is smooth and so is the album. I like his story and his music. I am a fan.
Favorite Songs: “Suffocate” “Back of my lac’” “Come Here” “Laa Laa” “Be With Me” “Without you” “Pimp in me”
Final Review: Sure his singles are great, but there is more to be discovered on “Back of my Lac” and in the future. Hop on board. Cop it!
