Tints of pain intermittently color Jedi512‘s music, but branding his discography as sad would be a misnomer – like calling Sinners a horror flick. A collaboration with producer Boots the Blessed and the Austin rapper’s second album of 2025, SPITE CLUB largely tones down the voice distortions and ominous synths found on the ex-Marine’s earlier works in favor of dabbles into darker boom-bap and other sounds. He details adolescent experiences from “Rundberg to St. Johns” over an unhinged, churchlike organ loop, then proclaims on succeeding track “STAMINA, Pt.2”: “I hold it in, I blocks it out/ I know a lot about pride, I had a lot of doubt/ I’m not a baby or a titty, I ain’t poppin’ out.” Highlight “Ad Astra,” which interpolates drums from Jay-Z’s “U Don’t Know,” provides more memorable lines. Declaring himself untouchable despite those who’d rather see him “eatin’ Lunchables,” Jedi asserts, “These hoes fucking on a nigga with a bigger boat/ You better get a boat.” Though lyrics of that ilk probably won’t segue into a TED Talk, their simplicity and deadpan delivery represent the current Jedi512 experience. He’s consistently releasing music varying in tone that’s entertaining – in spurts.
Jedi512 and Boots the Blessed
SPITE CLUB (89 bpm records)
This article appears in July 25 • 2025.