JPEGMAFIA took aim at Alchemist and Earl Sweatshirt, accusing them of lacking innovation and playing it safe with their music.
In a new interview with Billboard, the New York rapper took a moment to reflect on his knack for experimenting with his music and the backlash he receives from fans as a result. According to Mafia, he takes risks, unlike other artists such as Alchemist and Earl, who he said tend to stick to their formulas.
“I am a risk-taker! I’m one of the only risk-takers in rap!” he said. “The rest of these motherfuckers literally do the same thing. Alchemist, Earl and them? They’ve been making the same fucking song for the last twenty fucking years. Nobody gives a shit.”
Known for his abrasive, genre-blending style, JPEGMAFIA has carved a unique space in hip-hop, often rejecting conventional sounds in favor of more radical, boundary-pushing music. He made it clear in the interview that he has no interest in blending in.
“I’m not them,” Mafia added. “I’m here to evolve, go farther, go harder and I’m gonna do my shit. I’m not here to give people the bare minimum and have that just be okay, n***a. That’s not me. I’m not wasting my potential like those motherfuckers. I’m not like that. I’m maximizing my shit. I’m 35 years old — and Tupac said when Black men turn 30, they lose their fire. I have no loss of fire. I’m hot as shit.”
JPEGMAFIA doubled down on his mission to challenge the genre, making it clear he’s not worried about mainstream approval.
“Y’all go do that boring ass shit. I’m not with that,” said Mafia. “I’m here to take this shit forward whether y’all like it or not y’all can kiss my Black ass. And they’re gonna pretend like I’m not doing what I’m doing, but I’ve been doing it! And I’ve been doing it so well that people have to hate. They try to take the title from me and they just can’t, because it’s me.”
Mafia added that he can’t be imitated because everything he creates comes from his unique mind. He’s also going to stick to what he’s been doing as “clearly something is working.”
