Sy ShacklefordThe south has many regions that get their share of representation in hip-hop. But with the release of 2024’s “The Spirit Is Willing, But the Flesh Is Weak” by Jabee, this may be the first time I’ve heard of hip-hop coming from the state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City emcee has been releasing material since the early 2010s, giving him plenty of time to hone his craft. Having a co-sign from Public Enemy front man Chuck D. certainly didn’t hurt. But “The Spirit Is Willing, But the Flesh Is Weak” is his first album for Mello Music Group. With spiritual backdrops and lyrics planted firmly in reality, Jabee gives listeners compelling lyrics borne from a pensive mind.
Kicking things off with “Sexyy Red”, Jabee makes use of color metaphors and their connotations over a jazz sample looped courtesy of Apollo Brown. Conductor Williams laces the soulful “No Love”, a backdrop that’s juxtaposed with Jabee’s lyrics criticizing the state of hip-hop. While not rapping about anyone in particular, Jabee also raps about the pros and cons of not being part of hip-hop’s lowest common denominator. Over M. Stacks’ piano-driven production, Jabee provides autobiographical rhymes and the need to be discreet what you volunteer about yourself on “Keep It Real”.
“God Made Rap” is the first track where the production had me head nodding. Emcee/producer Evidence is the one behind the boards on this track and Jabee doesn’t waste this soundscape, using church imagery while also projecting peril in the hook: “Penny for thoughts and get your change back Cuz what you wanna say your gonna take back”. “Money Ain’t Everything”, produced by Marv One, shows that Jabee has that early 2000s underground backpacker mentality which militantly emphasized substance over style in the music. “Sacrificial Lambs” is unmistakably an Apollo Brown production: From the string sample loop to the sound of the drum programming. Quelle Chris is the sole guest rapper on the album and brings his trademark monotone which, ironically, breaks the monotony:
“WS DRIZZAL” is a skit, a rapped A Capella with a noisy background which the album could’ve done without. The final track, “Hear Me When I Pray”, is helmed by Conductor Williams with a particular gospel tinge. An introspective inspection, Jabee raps about friendships slipping away and how the love he gets most of the time is from fans and supporters who don’t personally know him even with him pouring his innermost thoughts on records. I think the one track which captures the album title’s message is “Money Ain’t Everything”. As though if Jabee were tempted to give more than eight tracks on this album it’d be analogous to selling out. But even in its brevity, it “The Spirit Is Willing, But the Flesh Is Weak” is a gratifying listen.