JT's 'City Cinderella': A Missed Opportunity for a Solid Hip Hop Identity

Rapper JT released her long-awaited album this past Friday and, in true Music Circle fashion, I gave it a thorough listen and even revisited it last night. I give this project a solid 3/10.

When it comes to being a female Hip Hop artist, there are a few things you need: (1) confidence, (2) a story, (3) support, and lastly, (4) a solid identity. JT let her confidence slip when she mentioned that this project was a mixtape instead of an album. The truth is, an album can be counted towards your contract—any record contract that you may have with a label—whereas a mixtape does not. Also, mixtape numbers don’t really matter because it’s more so used as a way to build a solid fan base, not “feed” your current fan base as the young ones like to say today.

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Now let’s say this mixtape does not do well on the charts and numbers is something that her label told her she needs in order to earn a bigger budget and advance for future projects; she won’t feel the effects as much. But if it were an album, then yes, those numbers would affect the budget and so forth. Confidence in this industry is key, and right out of the gate, her confidence faltered when she went from tweeting about this album to then calling it a mixtape.

Today it’s easy for an artist to feel self-conscious about their work because it’s so heavily criticized in real-time on social media platforms for all to see at any given time. Back in the day, this wasn’t necessarily the case. If a song was disliked, we just wouldn’t hear about it, not see the negative critiques of both song and artist on socials. But in a sea full of sharks, you need to stand tall and stand behind your work. This is your album, not a mixtape.

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“Mixtapes are casual and albums are not. Mixtapes are a collection of random songs put together with no real production behind it. Also, there are no singles or big-budget music videos,” says Hallie Lozano, Artist Development Manager from Branndet Marketing Group. With JT, we see that she went from calling herself a new artist to then dropping singles like “Okay” and “Sideways” to positive reviews.

During her short rap beef with TV personality Sukihana, JT went on the ‘All Things Keyshia Ka’oir’ podcast to explain that she had no plans on indulging in the beef because she did not want her next single to be a song about someone else. She was adamant that she was, in fact, dropping singles which could only mean an album was brewing.

Now, fast forward: the album is here, and we get both a documentary and a big-budget music video to accompany it—90s Baby. Documentaries are great, but are they necessary for a new artist? No. Without confidence and proper direction, you’re never going to get the attention of the general public to make hits and become an icon.

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STORY
This album does have a story, and that is what made it worth the listen—JT talks about her evolution from committing crimes to landing herself in jail to now being a somewhat well-respected figure in Hip Hop. She’s most definitely come a long way, which is what true Hip Hop is—it’s storytelling, it’s never being afraid to say what’s on your mind, but most importantly, as we previously mentioned, it’s confidence. Given all that she’s had to overcome to get to where she is now, JT should exude high self-esteem—not only in her music but on socials as well.

It’s obvious to many of us that she, like Cardi B, does not take criticism well and will do just about anything to get her point across online. In the music, she talks about gratitude, her beauty, her fashion, her lyrical evolution, and most importantly, the themes that brought her to this place in her life alongside the City Girls—taking money from ninjas. None of that warrants a complaint, which is why I would have been much more satisfied had she stood on business and said this was, in fact, an album.

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Not only that, but she also tweeted that this album would have no features because it is a way for her fans and new fans to get to know her. Yet, that was untrue as well—features included Jeezy, DJ Khaled, and Stunna Girl. It seems like such a waste to build up your fans for an album that is all about you and who you are, only to now downgrade your own art to a mixtape.

SUPPORT
As a Hip Hop artist in a public relationship, it’s important for the people who are around you to support you publicly. JT and Lil Uzi need media training as a couple. When asked what his favorite song on the album is, Lil Uzi replied, “What’s my favorite song on JT's album? Bro, stop playing with me, why would you ask me something like that?” This response is left open to interpretation because one can deduce that he’s either listened to the whole album and simply could not choose, or he hasn’t listened to it at all.

A Lil Uzi cosign would have done wonders for this album, not only because he’s her boyfriend but also because he’s a well-respected musician himself. The blatant lack of support here only further fuels the idea that her project was not good or not to be taken seriously. It’s almost as though he didn’t believe in her enough to give a solid response, so, if not him, then why us? There was also some discourse online about Nicki Minaj—not giving praise to JT on her album release.

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The Barbz and some Juvies all noticed this, saying things like, “I’m seeing now that she’s not a girl’s girl because why wouldn’t she congratulate JT on her album” and “No post for JT, that’s crazy. I thought they were cool.” We can only speculate, but as someone who takes her craft very seriously, Minaj is the foundation that female Hip Hop has been built on for more than a decade now.

As such, I want to believe that if JT was speaking openly and candidly about an album only to now change it to a mixtape, there is no congratulations needed…right? Mixtapes are not a celebratory moment because it’s just random songs thrown together to show off your skills. So, why would a seasoned rapper congratulate another rapper on releasing a mixtape? An album, yes. Mixtape, no.

SOLID IDENTITY
JT’s music is full of hypergamy references, which translates to her demanding that a man buys her things, flies her out, and supports her lifestyle. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s the message that got her famous in the first place, along with Caresha. But now that we’ve gotten the come-up story out of the way, what’s next for JT on future albums?

I want to go back to Nicki Minaj here as well. For her 'Beam Me Up Scotty' mixtape, we had songs like 'Go Hard' and 'Still I Rise,' which were pinnacles of struggle but also met with catchy songs such as 'Itty Bitty Piggy,' 'I Get Crazy,' and 'Kill da DJ,' all tracks with heavy replay value. Listening to 'City Cinderella' twice now, I can say with the utmost assurance there is zero replay value. There is no song that JT can take from it and consider it a hit that she can then go off to build upon for subsequent projects.

We can only hope that these new artists will take a moment to reassess their goals as artists and build the confidence needed to really step out into the spotlight and showcase their talents without care. Minaj is assertive, talented, and a force to be reckoned with—she demands respect in the space because if you don’t demand it, it will never come. You’ll quickly fall to the wayside. JT, stand on business, girl, and if you’re going to give us an album, give us a solid one!

SSM Score: 3/10 Unattached

by Diamond Brown