Rapper Jay Who? Releases Album Based on His Porn Addiction
Chicago rapper/producer Jay Who? recently released “The Light in da’ Addict,” hip-hop’s first concept album based on porn addiction. With comedy and wit, Jay sheds light on this growing issue with a self-deprecating storyline that follows Jay as he searches for answers to his porn addiction.
The album follows his debut, the Shel Silverstein-influenced “Where da’ Sidewalk Ends,” a creative collection of stories and lyrical wit that echoes Slick Red, Eminem, and Red Man. The album, which was produced and written by Jay, secured him a spot on hip-hop’s “up-and-coming rappers” list of 2008-2009.
According to a review by Joe Kaiser on BeatsPerMil.com, Jay addresses his porn addiction in “The Light in da’ Addict” without being facetious. “He’s not using ‘nympho’ as pejoratively as so many rappers do. ‘The Light in da’ Addict’ is Jay doing his best to describe the ups and downs of addiction and recovery, trouble with the law, damaged relationships, et al.”
On the third track, “U Need Help,” Jay describes his addiction without seeming boastful: “At some point in my life / I had to come to the grips with / the fact I’m addicted / to grabbing my dick, kid / And no, not the way that Kane or Slick Rick did / walkin’ round stage with the microphone spittin’ / But more like Peewee at the cineplex / but me, I’m at home watching Skinemax.”
Most of the other characters on the album are Jay doing silly voices, but he manages to remain sincere. “It’s quite an accomplishment. He manages to address…one of the low points in his life without plunging to the murky depths. He’s honest without depressing you. He makes you uncomfortable without making you uncomfortable. He’s jovial but pays the topic proper respect, he’s explicit without being lewd. And he tells a story with a definite beginning and an end. There’s definitely nothing like it,” writes Kaiser.
The album also includes clips of recovering addicts confessing their sins, and includes a song about alcohol hangovers (“The Hangover”) and celebrity addiction (“The Addict”). Kaiser writes, “(Jay) lays out his mistakes, his attitude, and where he fits into the world as an addict. It’s a thorough exploration, and it’s pretty legitimately comprehensive…This isn’t conscious hip-hop, bemoaning the perils of addiction—it’s how he fell down, and how he got up.”
“The Light in da’ Attic” is available for free download on Jay Who’s? website, www.jaywhoshow.com.
