Story by: Anthony Haverland
It's been five years since Tokyo Jetz became the First Lady of Grand Hustle, and we've finally gotten her debut studio album.
Last summer, Tokyo found herself in hot water after making a very insensitive joke about George Floyd. Though she apologized immediately, this album, Cancel Culture, serves as a response to the critics who weren't so quick to forgive her.
“I’ve noticed how over the past few years; we live in this new culture where we ‘cancel’ people for their mistakes and try to take everything they’ve worked hard for away, instead of using it as a teachable moment,” Tokyo stated.
“Celebrities are under a microscope so everything we do is judged in the public eye, but the people who do the most judging make mistakes as well, we just can’t see them. Once I realized the only person who can cancel me is myself it gave me the motivation to go back in the studio and record my truth for myself and for my family.”
One thing about Tokyo, since signing to Grand Hustle her work ethic cannot be questioned.
This album comes just a few months after the release of her EP, Stimulus Package, and the publishing of her first book Mind Over Matter, which chronicles the rapper's battle with anxiety and depression. The transparency doesn't end there though. Tokyo gave us a peak into the disgusting hate that her antagonists flooded her DM's with on the album's cover.
This album is the product of blood, sweat, and COVID 19, Tokyo tells us in a recent Instagram post. "I'm so glad y'all finally get to hear ....I recorded some of these songs pregnant....some through postpartum...&some through covid.—" implying the album has been being pieced together since at least September 2019, when her son Amir was born.
Who Got A Spot On The Album?
The album's lead single, Know The Rules, features none other than TIP himself. Tokyo also recruited the infamous breadwinner, Kevin Gates, Toosii, Jackboy, and got a dance single with Tokyo Vanity as well. All and all, Tokyo has enough features to help push the singles, but leaves enough room on the album to let her own rugged, southern style shine.
Final Thoughts
As a long-time Hustle Gang fan, I have to give this album a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. Tokyo came with the lyrics, the timing and the delivery. On top of that, she gave us the type of collabs we want to see from Grand Hustle.
Cancel Culture has a variety of tracks for just about any occasion. Tracks like At Em and Know The Rules gives us those classic southern hip hop bars we've come to love from Tokyo. S.O.D.D. and One Up will bring the energy in the club, and she even slows it down with tracks like WYTD.
If you haven't listened already, give it a stream!