The Reintroduction of City Girls' JT as City Cinderella
Mixtape Review
JT, one-half of the renowned rap duo City Girls, first captivated the world with the debut mixtape, Period, in May 2018. Since then, City Girls have released three albums: Girl Code, City on Lock, and most recently, RAW. Lately, however, the spotlight hasn't been on the duo but increasingly on JT as she embarks on her solo journey.
JT's Solo Journey
Over the past year, JT has focused on her individual music career. The buzz around her solo work started with several viral singles that took the internet by storm. "No Bars," released in July 2023, surpassed 20 million YouTube views. "Sideways," launched in February 2024, has accumulated over 14 million views. This is an impressive feat for someone transitioning from an established group member to an independent artist with grassroots-style self-promotion and marketing.
City Cinderella
On Friday, July 19, 2024, JT released her highly anticipated solo mixtape, City Cinderella. This mixtape, which includes 16 tracks, marks a new chapter in her career. It includes hit singles like "Sideways" and "OKAY". The mixtape encapsulates JT's essence, blending survival and newfound freedom with her South Florida style. Collaborations with artists such as Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Stunna Girl, and Clip enhance the experience, making City Cinderella one of this summer's standout rap releases.
My favorite tracks are "Intro (Hope)," "Oh," "Servin," "Lemon Pepper”, “Swang," "Uncle Al," "OKAY Remix," and "Sideways." The charm of this mixtape lies in its distinct sound. It feels both nostalgic and new, setting it apart from today's female rap landscape. Her voice carries an authentic grit and her lyrics are raw, influenced by her beginnings behind bars. This lends a sincere, unpolished charm that's both captivating and moving for her audience. This authenticity serves as a reminder of her growth and dedication to the rap world. Her music shows that she's not just learning; she's becoming a seasoned artist in the game as well.
Behind the Scenes
In another exciting development, JT announced that a City Cinderella documentary would be released on YouTube on July 27, 2024. This documentary reveals behind-the-scenes moments from her tour along with personal stories and City Cinderella studio sessions. The announcement created a surge of excitement among fans eager to get a deeper understanding of JT's life and music process.
For further reading, see our previous article reviewing JT's recent tour.
Newfound Freedom and Resilience
City Cinderella feels like JT's grand reintroduction to the music world, reflecting her energy and resilience. Alongside a return, this project shows the strength of venturing into the unknown and embracing new directions—an unexpected challenge that JT boldly accepted. From viral singles to a solo mixtape, JT is establishing her identity as an independent artist. Her songs resonate with themes of strength and freedom, infusing her sound with new life while staying true to her origins. It's a journey of musical rebirth, full of inspiration and identity.
While the future of City Girls remains uncertain, it's clear that JT's solo career is on an upward trajectory. The excitement generated around City Cinderella indicates that her journey as an independent artist is more than just a passing phase and instead marks a significant step in her career. With impressive viewership statistics and a mixtape that resonates with her core, JT is carving out a solo identity that's both compelling and inspiring. As the City Cinderella tour approaches, fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to support an artist who continues to influence the rap scene. The path JT is forging appears promising, and if City Cinderella is any indication, there's much more to come.
Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast.