Jedi Mind Tricks featuring Demoz When Crows Descend Upon You

“As a lyricist, you got to know how to command the crowd and entertain.” Jus Allah’s words speak on one half of a duo who for 15-plus years poured sweat into crafting high-energy, unadulterated music. The other half, Vinnie Paz, adds his ear for production that can span from urban to sample-driven to aggressive. “We influenced a generation of kids and now they are making music.” Together, Allah and Paz form Jedi Mind Tricks, a Philly underground (or “good fucking music” as Jus prefers) act heralded by hardcore rap purists for its intelligent lyrics, complex flows and the atmospheric production of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind.

For Jedi Mind Tricks, this is something like the old saying: “The show must go on.” They believe new material from Jedi Mind Tricks will not bring the same aggressiveness present in their earlier works. Regardless of Stoupe’s absence from the producer’s chair, the duo’s seventh album, Violence Begets Violence dropped this past week and is a straight BANGER!

Although this marks the first project with a new crop of producers, Jus and Paz are loyal to a brotherhood dating back to their teenage years, believing in one day a true reunion of Jedi Mind Tricks will come into fruition. At the same time, these upstart producers have connected with them in a way that has embodied a version of their younger selves. You add harder rhymes, wittier punchlines, and a familiar soundscape to the Jedi Mind Tricks formula and many hip-hop heads will be surely reminded of their lyrical prowess. Things change, but eventually do get better with time.

Jedi Mind Tricks feat. Demoz | "When Crows Descend Upon You"