Juicetopher
| Juicetopher | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Chris Pinset, Oran Juice Jones II | ||||
| Released | April 20, 2025 | |||
| Studio | Mood Recording Studio | |||
| Genre | Hip-hop | |||
| Length | 25:12 | |||
| Label | Esclave | |||
| Producer | Chris Pinset | |||
| Chris Pinset, Oran Juice Jones II chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Juicetopher | ||||
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Juicetopher is the studio album by American producer Chris Pinset[1] [2]and a rapper/songwriter Oran Juice Jones II[3][4], (son of R&B singer Oran Juice Jones) released April 20, 2025, through Esclave records label. The album marks a significant departure from Jones' previous digital-era work, as it was recorded entirely in one take to 24-track analog tape at Mood Recording in Nyack, New York, without the use of computers. It was later remixed and re-released in Dolby Atmos format.[5]
The title Juicetopher carries dual significance. It fuses "Juice," a nod to the artist himself, and "Christopher," the birth name of guitarist and co-producer Chris Pinset[6], whose alias "Juicetopher" also helped inspire the project's name. Pinset, a key force behind the album’s sound, co-led production alongside Adam Deitch, Lamar Moore, and Tre-Bor — forming the creative backbone of what became known as The Juicetopher Project.[7]
The album was released on Easter Sunday, a rare occasion in 2025 when both Catholic and Orthodox Christians celebrated the holiday on the same day, a convergence that occurs infrequently due to differences in liturgical calendars. The release date, along with the album’s religious and spiritual themes, was reflected in its cover art, which depicts Jones as a Christ-like figure wearing a crown of thorns.
Background
[edit]Following the release of Rap & Weed, a collaborative project with rapper B-hi (Bernie Pleasant), Jones began working on new material with vocalist Charles Paul. However, the direction of the album changed dramatically after the murder of rapper B-hi (Bernie Pleasant) in Harlem on November 15, 2023. [8] [9] The event profoundly affected Jones and inspired him to re-imagine the project as a tribute and emotional release.
Juicetopher was recorded live, in a single take, directly to analog tape at Mood Recording. The sessions excluded computer editing entirely, preserving a raw and unfiltered sound. According to Jones and the production team, this approach was intended to emphasize the emotional authenticity of the performances and to resist the overproduction common in contemporary hip-hop.
Credits
[edit]The Juicetopher Project featured a collective of musicians and producers:
- Oran Juice Jones II – Lyrics, Vocals
- Adam Deitch – Drums
- Lamar Moore – Drums & Percussion
- Chris Pinset – Guitar, Bass Guitar, Production
- Tre-Bor – Organ, Rhodes
- Baron Raymonde – Saxophone
- Charles Paul – Vocals
- Laura Paul – Background Vocals
The project was produced collaboratively by Adam Deitch, Chris Pinset, Lamar Moore, and Tre-Bor.
Release and reception
[edit]Juicetopher was released on April 20, 2025, via Esclave label and later remixed for a Dolby Atmos version to accommodate modern listening formats. It received critical acclaim from several music publications and analog recording advocates for its emotional depth, sonic integrity, and thematic boldness.[10]
The album has been praised for its refusal to conform to digital production norms, with several critics highlighting its live, one-take recording process as a standout artistic decision.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ AMMPRO (2023-05-13). "Chris Pinset Is A Producer Behind New York Hip Hop". 24Hip-Hop. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Chris Pinset | Director, Cinematographer, Camera and Electrical Department". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Mookie Jones Austin Shows on Do512". Do512. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Oran Juice Jones ii". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Privalova, Natalia (2025-04-21). "Crown of Thorns and Tape Reels: Oran Juice Jones II's "Juicetopher" album is a Resurrection in Rap". raptology.com. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ inboundav (2018-10-25). "Augspurger® Producer profiles: Chris Pinset Keeps the Groove Moving at Mood Recording". Augspurger. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Meola, Stefano (2025-04-22). "Oran Juice Jones II Rises on Easter Sunday with Juicetopher, a Gritty Analog Resurrection - All Rap News". Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Man Charged 2 Weeks After Fatal Shooting Outside Harlem Smoke Shop". Harlem, NY Patch. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "As Harlem smoke shop shooting suspect is arrested, minister makes powerful appeal at funeral". New York Daily News. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ McFly, Marty (2025-04-24). "Album Review: Oran Juice Jones II Finds Resurrection in Raw Form on Juicetopher - All Rap News". Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Hicks, Hulda (2025-04-24). "Album Review: Oran Juice Jones II – Juicetopher Album Review - Raptology: Rap News - Rap Music - Rap Contests - Rap Articles". raptology.com. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
External links
[edit]- Chris Pinset, Oran Juice Jones ii - Juicetopher, 2025-04-20, retrieved 2025-04-23