On the day Juice WRLD’s first posthumous album, Legends Never Die, released, it was pouring in Philadelphia. It’s hard not to imagine the sky weeping — tears of anguish or joy; I couldn’t tell you — in honor of the late Chicago rapper, hitmaker, and certified lifesaver. Juice WRLD’s music dealt in heartbreak and depression, addiction and overcoming. He gave his fans hope. He was hip-hop’s radiant light.
Juice WRLD was only 21 when he passed, but it felt as if his music had been in our general consciousness for far longer. He felt seasoned in his approach — just watch his hour-long freestyles. With Juice, every performance was a smash; every lyric a chance to reach out to a fan and touch them in a way they may have never been before. He was all-seeing. He was a generational talent.
Legends Never Die makes good on Juice’s baked-in promise to be there for fans. The album is rightfully precious and made with Juice WRLD’s wishes and fans in mind. There is evident care poured into this record. Legends Never Die is not overstuffed with features, presents real growth from Death Race For Love, pulls at the strings of early releases like the Juiced Up EP from 2016, and stays true to Juice’s lyrical ethos.
