JP ONE Fire & Brimstone II Gifted & Talented, LLC. With all due respect, when JP ONE released the first installment of his Fire & Brimstone trilogy—roughly 4 months ago, it was a solid effort, but only served as a microcosm of what potentially could’ve been a crowning achievement for the talented emcee. Now enter, Fire & Brimstone II, the second of the planned trilogy, and by far, leaps and bounds better than its predecessor. While history has taught us that sequels never live up to magic captured on the first outing, JP ONE kills that logic with one of his strongest efforts to date. The mixtape commences with the triumphant “Encore”, a track that echoes shades of Hov’s “Ruler is Back”, with BJ Gates finding his inner Bink!. One of JP’s strongest attributes is his great ear for production. He doesn’t venture too far from what has always worked for him. Most of the producers from the first F&B are still in tow. Pig Pen excels on “Music”, with its sped up chipmunk soul loops. As with “Judas” —another Pig Pen production, and it features Detroit rapper Elzhi, formally of Slum Village. F&B II’s guest list is dense, but each appearance is significant to the overall story and elevates it to higher ground. JP ONE is in pretty good company on the Flamin’ Lacez- number “I’m The One” featuring Guilty Simpson. On “Rise to Power”, Black Milk keeps it thorough on both vocals and production—earning the distinction as the best feature along side JP on F&B II. JP ONE is one of few rappers that doesn’t rely on tired gimmicks to get his point across. He veers from ostentatiousness that so many of his rap peers continue to exploit for better or worst. Such immense, honest candor (peep the mixtape’s first single “Livin’ Life”) is what brings a level of authenticity that’s rare, but much needed in today’s musical climate. F&B II further enhances the autobiographical themes displayed from previous work in great detail. JP ONE uses these themes to create a narrative that channels despair, as well as inspiration, and the mixtape succeeds because it is in the confluence of both narratives. That balance is what makes F&B II work in frame of its context. JP ONE is indeed taking the necessary steps on making his story one worth listening to. Through trial and error, JP has woven a crafty body of work that expounds on the idealisms that dominate much of our daily lives, with much emphasis pertaining to the harsh realities that also cripple them as well.