Released: 2022
Label: Grade A Productions/Interscope Records
Featuring: Justin Bieber, Polo G, Trippie Redd, SUGA, BTS
“Fighting Demons” by Juice WRLD serves as an unflinching chronicle of the rapper’s battles with his inner conflicts, further cementing his legacy as one of the most raw and confessional artists in today’s hip-hop scene. Released by Grade A Productions and Interscope Records in 2022, the album weaves a compelling narrative around the trappings of fame, addiction, and mental health through the lens of the late rapper.
Featuring collaborations with artists like Justin Bieber, Polo G, Trippie Redd, and SUGA of BTS, each song acts like a page in the rapper’s diary, documenting his struggles, victories, and everything in between. Searing tracks like “Burn,” “Already Dead” and “Cigarettes” lay bare the agony of feeling lost to one’s demons while “Wandered To LA” oscillates between moments of introspection and the haze of drugs. On the other hand, interludes like “Eminem Speaks” and “Juice WRLD Speaks” reveal the severity of dependency and the universality of these struggles, extending the conversation beyond Juice’s personal narrative.
Themed tracks like “Girl of My Dreams” and “Feel Alone” resonate with the raw essence of survival and resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing Juice’s introspective vulnerability. Through it all, the album consistently showcases Juice WRLD’s lyrical prowess, detailing a journey filled with stunning highs and brutal lows, forming a vivid landscape of his reality, peppered with hard-earned wisdom and sobering reminders of mortality. From the intense weight of love and addiction to the complexities of newfound success, “Fighting Demons” is a powerful testimony of Juice WRLD’s resounding impact and legacy in the hip-hop world.
So let’s get into it. From “Burn” to “Legends”, here we are breaking down the album “Fighting Demons” by “Juice WRLD”.
1 Burn
Through raw, unfiltered lines like “I pray to God for some water to wash down these Percs / I been cursed since birth, guess I never learn,” he exposes the cyclical nature of his pain and substance abuse, seeking salvation in the very things that harm him. The chilling acknowledgment of his actions’ consequences on his loved ones and himself illuminates the darkness surrounding his fight with his demons, making it a poignant reflection on the costs of addiction.
2 Already Dead
The track’s refrain, “Bitch, I’m already dead/I’ve been dead for years,” lays bare the agony of feeling lost to one’s demons, a sentiment echoed throughout as he grapples with isolation, substance abuse, and the search for solace. Juice WRLD’s deft lyricism paints a vivid picture of his inner turmoil, making “Already Dead” a haunting, yet profound snapshot of his struggles.
3 Cigarettes
Through catchy, melanchohookspiked with references to heartbreak and dependency, he equates the fight against loneliness with the harmful embrace of nicotine, confessing “Smoke cigarettes, cancer in the chest like cardiac arrest.” It’s a raw exploration of seeking solace in the arms of both a lover and destructive habits. Here, Juice WRLD delivers a compelling narrative on the complexities of dependency, whether it’s on a substance or a person, showcasing his knack for melding deep emotional experiences with universal vices.
4 You Wouldn’t Understand
This track is an unapologetic declaration of his indifference towards societal norms, as he articulates a life led by impulse rather than consequence. “I never gave a fuck about a goddamn thing / I wake up in the morning, do my goddamn thing,” he repeats, encapsulating the essence of his daily existence, marred by drugs and a disregard for the future. Through his lyrics, Juice WRLD paints a vivid image of his battles, offering a raw glimpse into the complexities of his world, one that he suggests might be too convoluted for outsiders to grasp fully.
5 Sometimes
With a melancholic melody, Juice WRLD delivers lines that hit close to the bone, painting a vivid picture of his internal battles. “My mind, sometimes, gets dark and wild,” he confesses, shedding light on the complexity of his mental state. This track stands as a testament to the rapper’s vulnerability, addressing his reliance on substances to numb the pain and his longing for solace in a world that feels increasingly alienating. It’s a powerful narrative on the cost of fame and the pursuit of peace amidst personal turmoil.
6 Wandered To LA
Features: Justin Bieber
The track oscillates between moments of introspection and the haze of drugs, suggesting a deeper quest for meaning that’s often masked by superficial escapes. A particularly striking line, “Fantasies became reality, but only for one of us,” underscores the dissonance between expectation and reality, hinting at the ephemeral nature of happiness and success in a city known for both its dreams and heartbreaks.
7 Eminem Speaks
Capturing the severity of dependency, Em reflects on his initial love for the numbness drugs provided and the denial that followed when confronted about his problem. The stark reality hits when Eminem admits, “Had I had gotten to the hospital about two hours later, I would’ve died,” revealing the thin line he walked between life and death. This interlude isn’t just a narrative; it’s a sobering moment of vulnerability that echoes the struggles many face, making it clear that the battle with addiction is both real and life-threatening. It stands out for its honesty, as Eminem concludes with a message of hope, affirming that recovery is possible, offering a beacon of hope to anyone caught in the grip of their demons.
8 Rockstar In His Prime
Within its verses, Juice delves deep into the paradoxes that pervade his life, oscillating between invincibility and vulnerability, particularly highlighted in the line, “If I take too many Perc’s, then I won’t die. If I drink too much of this syrup, then I’m gon’ fly.” This duality underscores the dangerous allure of self-medication in coping with the pressures of success and the mental toll it takes, painting a vivid picture of a young talent wrestling with his legacy and mortality.
9 Doom
The standout line, “I’d rather me die before she, so I mix drugs up…,” illuminates Juice WRLD’s deep-seated fears of loss and self-destruction. Through his raw and vivid storytelling, Juice navigates the complexity of his emotions against a backdrop of success and external validation, exposing the dark side of rapid ascension in the music industry and personal relationships. The song’s candidness about mental health and the fight against one’s inner demons makes it a poignant piece in Juice WRLD’s discography.
10 Go Hard 2.0
He doesn’t just scratch the surface; he dives deep into the complexities of dedicating himself fully to someone while struggling with his demons, illustrating this duality with raw, emotive lyrics. The track stands out as a candid confession where he pledges, “For you, I go hard, hard,” yet it’s juxtaposed with his plea, “Just don’t break my heart, heart,” showcasing his fear of betrayal amidst this all-consuming commitment. The line “Had to put them Xannies down, it was tearin’ me apart” hits particularly hard, revealing his fight to find solace outside of drug use, finding a semblance of peace and home in the heart of his beloved. Juice WRLD’s lyrical prowess brings to light the intense weight of love and addiction, framed by his hope for redemption and genuine connection.
11 Juice WRLD Speaks
His candid reflections on personal battles with anxiety and the broader neglect of mental health issues paint a picture of his aspirations to not only navigate his own struggles through his art but to also light the way for others facing similar challenges. He articulates a palpable desire to initiate change, or at least spark a chain reaction, emphasizing, “And that needs to change, and hopefully I’m one of those people that could bring that change, or at least start a chain-reaction for somebody else to come and do it after me.” His words underscore a profound understanding of music’s power to heal and unite, making “Juice WRLD Speaks” a compelling testament to the artist’s legacy and impact.
12 Not Enough
He confesses to seeking solace in a liquor bottle and being unfazed by the prospect of not seeing another day — a chilling testament to the depths of his despair. His plea, “They tell me that I won’t live to see tomorrow, but I don’t give a fuck,” hits like a gut punch, exposing a vulnerability wrapped in defiance. Amidst this emotional turmoil, he fears the insufficiency of his love, highlighting the song’s core dilemma — the constant battle between needing someone and the fear of not being enough for them.
13 Feline
Features: Polo G, Trippie Redd
This track is a raw look into the survival mindset, marked by a blend of fierce loyalty and the dangers lurking when those closest may betray. Juice WRLD, Polo G, and Trippie Redd each deliver verses that reflect their personal struggles and victories, encapsulated by Juice WRLD’s cutting line, “Before I leave the crib, I pray to God I won’t die / I know it’s hard to kill me, but I know they gon’ try.” This lyric speaks volumes of the grim determination and the ever-present shadow of mortality in their lives.
14 Relocate
The heartfelt declaration, “Did it on my own, I’ma do my own thing / Put my mama in a mansion, had to relocate,” serves as a testament to his resilience and determination. This track delves into the complexities of newfound success, confronting envy and disloyalty with a stark resilience. Addressing the harsh realities of his environment with lines like “Try to block me from my blessin’, get shot in the face / With a .40 Smith & Wesson, I’m a fool with the aim,” Juice articulates a narrative of survival, remaining grounded in his loyalty to those who’ve been there from the start, while wary of the snakes hidden in the grass. “Relocate” stands as a powerful statement on staying true to one’s roots while navigating the pitfalls of fame and fortune.
15 Juice WRLD Speaks 2
He confronts his detractors head-on, showcasing a journey from being underestimated to achieving undeniable success, yet still wrestling with inner demons and the harsh realities of fame. A standout line, “I pop Percs to numb all the pain ’cause it hurt to live,” poignantly captures this struggle, underscoring the heavy price of coping mechanisms amidst the glare of public scrutiny and personal battles. Through candid lyrics, Juice WRLD navigates the complexities of his psyche, offering a reflective yet confrontational narrative that resonates with the raw essence of survival and resilience in the face of adversity.
16 Until The Plug Comes Back Around
The track is a stark narration of his struggles with dependence, vividly painting the picture of a cycle of temporary relief and inevitable downfall – “It goes down, down, down when the plug is in town.” His introspection goes beyond personal battles, touching on broader existential dilemmas and the weight of success, as shown in lines like “I got rich, bought my momma a crib / How much are you willing to spend? This money don’t mean shit.” It’s a potent reminder of the complexities of human emotions and the dark corners of fame and fortune.
17 From My Window
With vivid imagery, he compares his life to a fragile TV show, emphasizing the volatile nature of his existence with, “Life is a TV show, if you try me, It’ll be canceled.” This track peels back the curtains on Juice WRLD’s world, revealing a vista clouded by paranoia and numbed by substances, a poignant reflection on the cost of living under the constant scrutiny of fame and battling inner demons. His narrative paints a chilling picture of a talent navigating through his turmoil, all while observers watch “from their windows.”
18 Girl Of My Dreams
Features: SUGA, BTS
The standout line, “The girl of my dreams, but I ain’t fallin’ asleep,” captures the essence of longing for a love that’s both idealized yet palpable. Echoing themes of devotion and obsession, the song intricately weaves the bliss and the pain of love, marking the potency of connection that transcends the ordinary. This track stands as a testament to love’s ability to anchor and destabilize, showcasing Juice’s introspective vulnerability and SUGA’s lyrical depth.
19 Feel Alone
There’s a piercing rawness in his confession, “There’s times when I feel alone,” a line that echoes throughout the track, encapsulating the artist’s yearning for understanding in a world that moves too fast. His candid narrative doesn’t shy away from the darkness, as he admits to using drugs to numb the pain, yet acknowledges that these substances don’t define who he is. It’s a stark and honest look at the challenges of facing one’s demons, underscored by the persistent quest for solace and a higher state of being amidst the chaos of his thoughts.
20 Go Hard
The track swings between declarations of dedication and the dark, addictive habits he battles, all wrapped in the protective ferocity for his lover, signifying a ride-or-die mentality. A standout line, “I was sittin’ in the crib with a hand full of racks and a heart full of pain, yeah,” encapsulates the juxtaposition of wealth and emotional turmoil, highlighting the complex, often painful layers beneath his devotion.
21 My Life In A Nutshell
With an unflinching honesty, he shares his grappling with fame’s dual-edged sword—recognized for his talent yet isolated by his unseen pain. A potent line, “They say living’s harder than dying; I’m willing to gamble that,” lays bare his torment and desperation, encapsulating the artist’s fraught relationship with life and mortality. Through haunting melodies, he voices the relentless ache that prescriptions couldn’t numb, offering a raw glimpse into his turmoil.
22 Rich And Blind
With the haunting refrain, “I promise, all that you will find / Is a lost soul, rich and blind,” Juice WRLD captures the paradox of achieving one’s dreams while feeling more lost than ever. His candid discussion on the consequences of drug abuse and the pain of losing close ones, specifically mentioning, “Life’s unreal and death’s uncertain,” juxtaposes his internal battles against the backdrop of his outward success. This song is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between fame, fortune, and inner demons.
23 Legends
With the profound line, “What’s the 27 Club? We ain’t making it past 21,” Juice WRLD encapsulates the fear and irony of dying young yet being immortalized, drawing a stark line between the glamour of musical mythology and the grim reality of such early departures. The song serves as a somber reflection on the unpredictability of life and the heavy price of legend status in an industry marred by tragedy.
