EP2!
EP2! is a seven-track extended play by American rapper, singer, and producer JPEGMAFIA, released independently on February 12, 2021.[1] The project serves as a direct sequel to his preceding 2020 release EP!, extending its compilation of recent singles into a cohesive experimental hip-hop effort characterized by abrasive production, satirical lyrics, and genre-blending elements.[2] Key tracks include "LAST DANCE!", "FIX URSELF!", "KELTEC!", and "FEED HER!", which showcase JPEGMAFIA's signature noise-infused beats and confrontational vocal delivery.[1] The EP emerged amid JPEGMAFIA's prolific output during the early 2020s, following full-length albums like All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019) and preceding LP! (2021), solidifying his reputation for unorthodox rap that defies commercial norms.[3] While not charting on major Billboard metrics, EP2! garnered niche acclaim for its raw energy and DIY ethos, distributed primarily via platforms like Bandcamp and Spotify, though it elicited mixed listener feedback due to its polarizing shift toward more chaotic, less structured soundscapes compared to his earlier mixtapes.[4][5] Critics and fans noted its brevity—clocking in at under 18 minutes—as both a strength for intensity and a limitation for depth, reflecting JPEGMAFIA's commitment to subversive, anti-industry artistry over polished accessibility.[6]Background and development
Career context
Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks, known professionally as JPEGMAFIA, initiated his music career in the late 2000s under the alias Devon Hendryx, producing experimental works that fused hip-hop with vaporwave and electronic elements, including early releases like the 2011 album Generation Y. After enlisting in the United States Air Force—where he contributed to music production interests developed since age 15—he received an honorable discharge in 2015 and relocated to Baltimore, adopting the JPEGMAFIA name to reflect his satirical take on digital culture and institutional critique.[7][8][9] His transition to prominence occurred with the 2016 release of Black Ben Carson via Deathbomb Arc, featuring harsher noise aesthetics and abstract lyricism that distinguished him in underground rap circles. This built toward the 2018 album Veteran, an independent effort emphasizing distorted samples, irregular time signatures, and confrontational themes addressing race, politics, and consumerism, which garnered attention for its raw production and refusal of mainstream conventions. The follow-up All My Heroes Are Cornballs in 2019 expanded this approach with jazz-infused beats and personal reflections, earning acclaim for its boundary-pushing sound amid Hendricks' commitment to self-released projects on platforms like Bandcamp.[10] Entering 2020, JPEGMAFIA operated as an established yet non-commercial artist, leveraging his cult following to drop sporadic singles during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which introduced melodic autotune and cloud rap textures—a departure from prior aggression. These outputs, including tracks like "LAST DANCE!" from August 2020, demonstrated his adaptability and prolific pace, setting the stage for quick compilations like EP! in December 2020 and EP2! shortly thereafter, underscoring a career defined by autonomous experimentation over label-driven promotion.[11][2][12]Conception and influences
JPEGMAFIA conceived EP2! during the COVID-19 quarantine period, producing the entire project in self-imposed isolation. He locked himself in the studio for approximately two weeks, generating all tracks solely with synthesizers and forgoing the use of samples, which marked a departure from his sample-heavy approach in prior works.[13][14] In a February 2021 interview, he explained that the EP "just kind of worked out that way" due to the constraints of working in a single room equipped only with "little shitty synths," handling songwriting, recording, production, mixing, and mastering independently without collaborators or features.[14][15] The EP emerged as a collection of quarantine-era compositions, reflecting a shift toward introspective and melodic experimentation amid personal turmoil. JPEGMAFIA described it as "triumphant introvert music," emphasizing themes of anguish and emotional vulnerability that underpin his hardened public persona.[11][16] This introspective pivot built on the single-track EP! from November 2020, extending his pandemic-spanning output of standalone releases into a cohesive, ambient-leaning set.[17] Stylistically, EP2! drew from JPEGMAFIA's broader experimental hip-hop foundations, incorporating soft, autotuned deliveries and hazy, synth-driven beats reminiscent of early 2010s odd-future production, such as Tyler, the Creator's Goblin era.[18] The project's ambient and cloud-rap inflections echoed contemporary trends in melodic trap and pop-rap, while retaining his signature ironic energy and complex structures, albeit subdued for atmospheric effect.[19] These elements aligned with his eclectic influences, including noise rap, industrial sounds, and anime-inspired aesthetics from childhood exposures like Cowboy Bebop, though adapted here for a more subdued, quarantine-forged introspection.[20][21]Production
Recording process
JPEGMAFIA recorded EP2! over approximately three weeks in late 2020, isolating himself in a single room equipped solely with synthesizers to create the project's beats and instrumentation.[21][14] He eschewed sampling entirely, relying instead on original synth-based production to craft the EP's hazy, ambient soundscapes, a departure from his earlier sample-heavy work.[14] This solitary process allowed for rapid iteration, with the artist confirming completion of the seven tracks by December 10, 2020.[2] The EP features no guest vocalists or additional performers, emphasizing JPEGMAFIA's self-sufficient approach to songwriting, recording, production, mixing, and mastering.[1][15] All tracks were produced by JPEGMAFIA, except for "PANIC ROOM!", which received co-production from James Blake, incorporating fragmented 808 keys into its structure.[1][11] This hands-on methodology, executed without external collaborators beyond the noted exception, underscores the project's experimental and introspective ethos, completed amid a compressed timeline that prioritized raw, unpolished creativity.[22][15]Personnel and collaborations
EP2! was produced, written, mixed, and mastered entirely by JPEGMAFIA across all tracks, reflecting his hands-on approach to the project as both artist and primary creative force.[23] The EP features no guest vocalists or featured performers, maintaining a solo performance structure consistent with JPEGMAFIA's experimental hip-hop style.[23] [1] The sole external collaboration occurred on "PANIC ROOM!", where James Blake contributed co-production alongside JPEGMAFIA.[23] [1] This partnership marked a notable intersection of JPEGMAFIA's raw, glitchy production with Blake's electronic sensibilities, though JPEGMAFIA retained writing, mixing, and mastering duties for the track. No additional engineers, session musicians, or other personnel are credited.[23]| Track | Producer(s) | Writer | Mixer | Mastering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAST DANCE! | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
| FIX URSELF! | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
| KELTEC! | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
| THIS ONES FOR US! | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
| PANIC ROOM! | James Blake, JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
| FEED HER! | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA | JPEGMAFIA |
Musical composition
Genre and style
EP2! exemplifies experimental rap, incorporating downtempo rhythms and ambient textures that diverge from JPEGMAFIA's signature abrasive noise rap.[24][25] The EP's seven tracks maintain a consistently subdued tempo, emphasizing moody, atmospheric production over high-energy distortion.[11] Stylistically, the project adopts a softer, more organic sonic palette, featuring gentle instrumentals with elements like mellow horns and chill, vibey beats that evoke introspection rather than aggression.[18][26] JPEGMAFIA's vocal delivery shifts to a laid-back tone, reducing the frantic, distorted flows of prior works like All My Heroes Are Cornballs (2019) in favor of restrained, melodic phrasing that prioritizes emotional nuance.[27][11] Tracks such as "LAST DANCE!" highlight this evolution through sparse, echoing backings that build ambient tension without relying on chaotic layering.[11] This stylistic pivot represents an exploratory phase, blending hip-hop fundamentals with avant-garde minimalism to create transitional, unpinnable soundscapes that resist genre confinement.[28] While rooted in rap's rhythmic core, the EP's emphasis on ambience and subdued energy draws parallels to lo-fi and post-rap experimentation, showcasing JPEGMAFIA's versatility beyond confrontational maximalism.[25][26]Production techniques
JPEGMAFIA produced EP2! entirely himself, handling composition, mixing, and mastering with a computer and basic synthesizers in a confined studio space, eschewing samples in favor of original synth-generated sounds.[14][1] This approach yielded a streamlined, synth-driven aesthetic emphasizing wavy, atmospheric layers over the denser, sample-chopped aggression of his prior works like Veteran.[27] Tracks feature organic-feeling percussion programmed to mimic live drums, alongside distorted elements such as fragmented 808 bass keys and warped horn synths, creating a hazy, cloud-rap texture.[11][25] Vocal production incorporates heavy processing, including Auto-Tune for half-sung melodies and layered effects that blend into the instrumentals, enhancing the EP's subdued, R&B-inflected intimacy.[22][21] The sole exception is "PANIC ROOM!", co-produced with James Blake, which integrates Blake's fragmented synth keys with JPEGMAFIA's distortion for a more collaborative, evolving structure.[1][11] Overall, these techniques prioritize dynamic restraint and spatial depth, achieved through limited tools and rapid iteration during a two-week lockdown period.[14]Lyrics and themes
Core themes
The lyrics on EP2! center on critiques of cultural appropriation and the commodification of Black aesthetics by non-Black artists and industries, a motif that recurs across multiple tracks as JPEGMAFIA positions himself as a defender of authentic Black cultural production. In "FIX URSELF!", he explicitly laments external theft of creative elements, rapping lines such as "I'm really trying to save the culture but these white boys keep on stealing from me," highlighting tensions between innovation and exploitation in hip-hop.[21] This theme extends to broader frustrations with performative engagement, where superficial adoption of Black styles masks deeper cultural erasure.[21] Racial identity and resistance to white supremacy form another core pillar, particularly in "THIS ONES FOR US!", where the artist confronts systemic racism and aligns with anti-oppression efforts, emphasizing solidarity amid ongoing societal divides.[15] Lyrics here underscore personal stakes in collective struggle, reflecting JPEGMAFIA's (Barrington Hendricks) background as a Black artist navigating predominantly white creative spaces and institutional barriers.[15] Such content draws from his experiences in Baltimore's challenging environments during formative years, informing a worldview skeptical of mainstream assimilation.[29] Introspection and relational dynamics infuse the EP with vulnerability, often juxtaposed against aggressive or absurd imagery to convey emotional isolation and self-doubt. Tracks like "PANIC ROOM!" and "LAST DANCE!" delve into mental strain and fleeting connections, with auto-tuned deliveries masking raw admissions of inadequacy or loss.[26] Political allusions, such as equating personal affection to "Trump loves Putin," add layers of ironic sincerity, critiquing power imbalances in both intimate and global contexts.[22] Overall, these themes prioritize unfiltered Black perspective over polished narratives, resisting dilution for broader appeal.[21]Satirical elements
EP2! employs satire through ironic self-examination and mockery of hip-hop conventions, often delivered in a detached, hyperbolic manner that underscores the absurdity of personal and cultural expectations. In "WHAT KIND OF RAPPIN' IS THIS?", JPEGMAFIA questions mainstream rap aesthetics with lines like "What kind of rappin' is this? / The kind that make rap niggas pissed," satirizing how his experimental flows provoke backlash from peers adhering to traditional structures. This track's exaggerated bravado critiques the rigidity of genre norms, positioning unconventional artistry as a deliberate irritant to industry complacency.[19] Tracks like "HAZARD DUTY PAY!" incorporate ironic imagery, likening firearms to genitalia in a flippant comparison that subverts violent tropes prevalent in rap, highlighting their overuse through absurd detachment rather than glorification.[18] Such elements reflect JPEGMAFIA's broader ironic energy, where vulnerability amid pandemic isolation is framed not as earnest confession but as a parody of emotional excess in music.[19] Unlike his more bombastic prior releases, the EP's satire here is understated, weaving critique into ambient introspection to expose the performative nature of hardship narratives.[21]Release and promotion
Announcement and rollout
JPEGMAFIA first teased the completion of EP2! on Instagram on December 10, 2020.[2] The project was formally announced on January 29, 2021, alongside the release of lead single "FIX URSELF!", which served as the EP's introductory track.[30] [31] Multiple outlets, including The Fader and BrooklynVegan, reported the announcement, highlighting the EP as a sequel to his prior 2020 compilation EP!.[30] [31] The release date was set for February 12, 2021, via Republic Records, with the full seven-track EP dropping that day without prior additional singles.[32] [33] To mark the launch, JPEGMAFIA hosted a livestream event later that evening, providing fans an immediate post-release engagement opportunity.[34] This streamlined rollout emphasized direct digital distribution and social media promotion, consistent with the artist's independent-leaning approach despite major label backing.[35]Marketing and distribution
The marketing for EP2! centered on a low-key digital rollout, beginning with the announcement of lead single "FIX URSELF!" on January 31, 2021, which included pre-save links for streaming platforms to build anticipation among JPEGMAFIA's core audience.[32][36] This approach aligned with the artist's experimental style, emphasizing direct fan engagement over broad advertising campaigns, though a live performance video of the EP was uploaded to YouTube on February 13, 2021, coinciding with tour ticket promotions.[37] Distribution was handled primarily through EQT Recordings and Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, enabling widespread availability as a digital download and on streaming services like Spotify starting February 12, 2021.[2][6] Additionally, the EP was offered directly via JPEGMAFIA's Bandcamp page on the release date, allowing for immediate fan purchases and supporting independent sales channels alongside major label infrastructure.[1] No physical formats were prominently distributed at launch, reflecting a focus on digital accessibility in line with contemporary hip-hop release norms.[3]Singles and tracks
Singles
"LAST DANCE!" was released as the first single from EP2! on August 31, 2020, accompanied by a self-directed music video.[38] [39] The track, produced by JPEGMAFIA, features distorted production and lyrics addressing personal and societal frustrations, marking an early preview of the EP's experimental hip-hop style despite not appearing on the preceding compilation EP!.[22] "FIX URSELF!" followed as the lead single on January 29, 2021, coinciding with the announcement of EP2!'s February 12 release date and tracklist.[30] [40] This track showcases JPEGMAFIA's signature chaotic beats and introspective wordplay, critiquing self-improvement culture amid aggressive flows, and served as a direct promotional tie-in to build anticipation for the project.[22] No additional singles were officially promoted from EP2!, with both tracks integrated into the EP's sequencing upon its full release.[41]Track listing
EP2! comprises seven tracks, released on February 12, 2021.[1]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "LAST DANCE!" | 2:17 |
| 2 | "INTRO!" | 0:43 |
| 3 | "FIX URSELF!" | 3:06 |
| 4 | "KELTEC!" | 3:04 |
| 5 | "THIS ONES FOR US!" | 3:03 |
| 6 | "PANIC ROOM!" | 2:28 |
| 7 | "FEED HER!" | 2:56 |