Yo, what’s up everybody? Welcome to the first episode of the weekly spin, The Clayton High School Podcast, where we talk all things music, new tracks, album and just whatever’s popping in the scene. I’m your host, John Craig. Before we jump in, I just gotta say, if you’re vibing with this episode, go ahead and hit that follow button and maybe drop a rating and share it with a friend or two. Seriously, it really helps keep me going. All right, all right, let’s get into it. So today we’re checking out Jay Z’s latest album, God Does Like Ugly, which dropped on August eighth, twenty twenty twenty twenty five. This album came with a lot of pressure, honestly. I mean, his last project, The Forever Story, is still considered one of the best albums of the twenty twenties. So naturally people were like, yo, can you top that? Or can he at least match it? And after listening honestly, I think he came pretty close. This is his fourth studio album. It’s got fifteen tracks and man, it really shows off his range. The title God Does Like Ugly comes from something his grandma used to say. And just hearing that, you kind of get the vibe. This album isn’t super polished, it’s messy, it’s real, and it hits different. It’s all about the ups and downs of life, success, faith, you know, just figuring things out. All right. First try, you ugly. Featuring Westside Gunn.
I was expecting Westside Gunn to drop a verse. Right? But nah, he sticks to his classic libs and somehow it works. The beat is dark, gritty, kind of ominous. Then, like, halfway through, J.i.d switches into this faster, sharper flow. It’s chaotic, but in a good way. Honestly, it’s one of those tracks where you sit up and just go, okay, we’re starting strong. Next we got glory. This track honestly might be the best one on the album for me. Fun little story here. J.i.d sampled a Memphis choir, but they didn’t want their music titled profanity. So he went back, cleaned up the lyrics, and still made it work. And it bangs
like the choir. The beat. JD riding the beat. It’s both spiritual and modern. That’s hard to pull off and rap without sounding cheesy. But he did it. Next up of blue and man, this track really hit me that Mareeba feature at the beginning. Straight fire.
Production is moody, lyrics are vulnerable, and JD dials back the bravado a little bit. You can really feel him reflecting on life, on where he’s at. It’s that moment on the album that makes you just stop and listen. For me, this track is what showed the album isn’t just bangers, it’s also got depth. Now the track that grabbed me the most, community, featuring clips.
Clips just dropped that comeback album earlier this year. Let God sort them out. So hearing them on this track really big deal, Pusha T and No Malice come in with sharp, almost surgical verses about crime, survival, faith, hypocrisy. And then you’ve got J.i.d adding his take three rappers from different eras tackling heavy themes. intense. The track is heavy, but in the best way. Definitely the centerpiece of the album. After all that, we get to Skate featuring Ciara and EarthGang.
And honestly, I didn’t expect to like this track as much as I It’s fun, it’s bouncy, it’s a vibe. hook is great, and EarthGang. EarthGang brings their usual quirky energy. It’s like the album’s palate cleanser before diving back into the more serious tracks at the end. As the album winds down, JD gets reflective on K word, which is the second to last track on the album. He talks about karma, responsibility and the weight of choices. The dramatic strings in the background. Chef’s kiss makes it feel cinematic. Then comes for keeps. The closer, the closer. This one also really hit me.
He opens up about fatherhood. Growth, life. Feels like he’s taken off the mask. Letting you see the real him. You know that feeling when a track ends and you just sit there second, for a sec, letting it sink in. That’s exactly it. So big picture. God does like ugly. Another win for G-d. Tighter than the forever story. Maybe not. But that’s not really the point. It’s ambitious, layered, messy, and one hundred percent giddy. Favorites. Glory is definitely my number one. It’s such a great track overall. Of blue is definitely underrated. More people should check that out. Community with clips is the best feature clips. Totally killed that feature and Sk8 is my sleeper pick, which also is underrated. And then finally For Keeps, which is the final song that ties it all together. I’d give the album a solid nine out of ten. Not perfect, but extremely impressive, and I think it’ll grow on people over time. That’s a wrap on my reviews of Jed’s God does like ugly. Thanks for vibing with me on the Weekly Spin. If you liked this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and maybe share it with someone who loves music. I’m John Craig and I’ll catch you next time.
