The mysteries of the "Ghost-Pop" tape - Devon Hendryx (jpegmafia) analysis

[@hahaihaveahandlenow]

Just started the video, but the idea of him not being Hendryx when he turns 27 is very intriguing, seeing as the only song released by both Devon Hendryx and JPEGMAFIA is called The 27 Club

[@hahaihaveahandlenow]

Also, might I add, containing. A verse about Jimi Hendrix himself

[@AlteredGoat]

Glad someone brought up The 27 Club I was just thinking about it when Skye was talking about Hendrix he should definitely review Black Ben Carson at some point or at least that song from it

[@music.reserve]

Theres more songs that they share, Call me maybe being one of them too

[@mamamiyalozatoz]

he also released the call me maybe cover under jpegmafia

[@stwish3910]

Not actually true, call me maybe was for a while, the only song from JPEG and Devon, then the 27 club.

[@ianvart]

AVAA. The "Sex ain't nothing if you can't fit in my ride" lyric is incredibly memorable. I like how it appears in multiple tracks.

[@sway_jpeg]

he does this constantly throughout his music. one more is in "God Bless My Homegirls", where he says "40 all in my ride". The lyric first shows up in his collab album with Enso Sinatra (Now known as AIRDROPMAFIA, previously DATPIFFMAFIA) LISA (2011) with the song "We Don't ♥Love These Hoes" , where "40 up in my ride" is said.

[@Smetty]

​@@sway_jpegProject Birdy as well

[@sway_jpeg]

@@Smetty i was listening to it a day or two ago and thought about this comment again realizing there was another instance. great timing lmao

[@108Mics]

Very insightful review that strengthened my appreciation of the album, also thank you for the shoutout 💜💜

[@jubiguh8631]

goat

[@HowardSkub]

“Barrington Hendricks” sounds like he should have a monocle and powder wig lol, crazy name.

[@tocide]

With an electric guitar

[@almighty_pusha]

sounds like a shotgun manufacturer from the 19th century

[@archocystosyrinx]

or a slave owner

[@sonnyslimane]

By the way the white avatar he used is richey Edwards, a singer who disappeared and most likely killed himself after talking about disappearing for ages. Might connect to the album

[@prostrateconstantly]

Thank you Leon!! Getting a namedrop from my fav music cricket reviewing one of my alltime fav music projects got me so giddy. Im so glad someone prodded you to check this out and that we all got to hear your super sensitive n articulate n Batman lore savvy as always take!! PS: If u do get the chance to link my retrospective in the description that'd mean a bunch to me!

[@professorskye]

Done!

[@prostrateconstantly]

@@professorskye I love dis guy 🥲

[@Dschoanig]

Avaa! I don't see enough appreciation for the commitment of watching the movie. Thanks leon!!!

[@Dschoanig]

Also I wanted to point out how the album and especially the movie are very self loathing and his need to be seen through that. I get this feeling that Peggy was so disgusted of his depravity while having these depressive thoughts of worthlessness that he felt the need for his experience to be judged upon (maybe in a fetish type of way?). It almost feels like he does things like jorking it on camera and expressing these self loathing intimate feelings just in the hope of being seen, being recognized by the world, in any kind of way possible. Judging from some lines on his other Devon Hendryx releases, he seems very jealous of bigger artist that, in his opinion, don't deserve their success. Especially on the email-note he attached to the album you can clearly tell that he had a giant problem with his failed success at the time. He joked in some interview that there's nothing else that he is good at other than making music, which kinda connects with him saying that he was going to k himself, if his next releases don't gain more traction. And I can't imagine how painful that must feel for someone that clearly puts sooo much time and commitment into their craft, for at least 5 years at that point, without getting any recognition for that. Every time I think about his Devon Hendryx era and this album in particular, I feel so relieved and happy for him because of the success and popularity he is getting now, which he certainly deserves. But on the other hand I start to think about all of the phenomenal talented artists that never get to see the light of day, never feel seen and never gain a notable influence :(

[@66malthe]

Thank you Leon! It's great how spot on you are about the whole idea of this album. I hate to call you old, but it's impressive that the concept/themes come through to somebody at your age. I'd thought, as a young adult, that this kind of album is exclusively relatable to people around my age. Clearly I'm wrong!

[@aszprocky]

honestly Ballad of a Poor Man broke me. one of peggy's best albums, honestly, it needs so much more attention. looking forward to the video :D consider doing Veteran next ^_^ it’s a classic in his catalog

[@KauanFergil]

Could you elaborate on how it broke you? I am about to listen:)

[@aszprocky]

@@KauanFergil sure! i’ll keep it short as possible the haunting melody that starts at the beginning kind of lets you know what kind of song this is going to be. the melody pertains for the entirety of the song. but the lyrics are still a shock because they’re very straightforward and raw. (tw) he talks about how he's in love with this girl- but he's only going around in circles with her. he talks about then, getting to the point, saying he wants to kill himself but he's too much of a coward to do so and warns kids to not end up like him, because this is what happens. i think he's going in circles with himself, too, and the sample is very random, not from where you'd expect at all; it’s a britney spears sample, which is crazy, because you'd never guess of all things but that's the man who used a japanese commercial from the 90s as a sample. its Peggy, and i love him for it. this is just my interpretation and its one of my favorite Peggy songs, and for another sad one it's Panic Emoji from Veteran. i love this song but listening to it again and again is really hard and yeah what the fuck i did NOT keep it short but hope you can understand! im not very good at elaborating but i did my best :) you can find the sample here: www.whosampled.com/sample/727116/Devon-Hendryx-Ballad-of-a-Poor-Man-Britney-Spears-...Baby-One-More-Time/

[@mrcela0150]

Well worth the money spent Professor thank you and yes i did learn a lot watching this, I hope that other people can find the value in the album and breakdown that i did! I thought I might also share my take on the album too: Firstly, I feel that The Ghost-Pop Tape is the true sister album to 808s and Heartbreak as, although yes the album basically influenced an entire genre of music, no album has managed to recapture that specific texture of loneliness that Kanye pioneered. It's more than autotune, instead both albums present a kind of rap/pop emotional wasteland where it truly sounds like a piece of each of their humanity has been lost forever. I also really respect how this album explores sex and sexual desire. In hip hop culture the idea of "getting pussy" is so ridiculously glorified and is often presented as one of the only ways to project your manhood and status back to the culture. People have said this album is an incel album, i disagree, there's too much evidence of Hendryx actually fufilling his desires in a way an incel by definition couldn't. Instead I believe Hendryx illustrates the dark reality of fufilling them all, in having access to sex, porn and whatever your deepest fantasies entails but being devoid of emotional connection and a true sense of self. This is why I would paradoxically call this album mature, not on its lyrical content, but in its musical framing. The soundscape confronts the listener with the reality that Hendryx isn't "getting pussy" he's drowning in it, clearly using it to repress some deep rooted issue or trauma. Whether this is intentional or not, this artistic read is only possible because of the albums unwavering, raw emotional honesty. A lesser artist might take the same ideas and themes and swallow the loneliness inside them to present another hegemonic ideal of masculine power and sexual domination. Instead we get a desperate suicidal void with the occasional flash of aimless rage splashed on a musicial palette that almost feels like ocean of nothingness. (not to say it sounds bad at all, I really love the production here) I feel like the reasonable takeaway from this album is that it's a cautionary tale showing the life of a man who achieves the life that the incel wants, and feels hollow all the same. It reminds me of an Atrocity Exhibition but instead of drugs being the catalyst of deprivaty, its sex. When I donated I chose this album because, I too, was frustrsted by the lack of attention and analysis that an album that I love and think is well worth exploring had gotten on this website. I was debating making that video myself (still might just need to work up the confidence) but I'm glad that if I don't there will at least be one more video out there that people like me can enjoy. Best wishes for the birth of your child!

[@mrmogford8117]

Great read! Ending it all with best wishes for the birth of your child sounds like a dark joke and made me chuckle

[@mrcela0150]

@@mrmogford8117 Thanks, I hope the tone wasn't too off I was just being sincere 😭

[@mitchellvoeller5638]

Bro this made me comment on my experience with the album thanks for taking the time for typing that

[@mrmogford8117]

@@mrcela0150 no no definitely still sincere but enough to give me a lil chuckle

[@mrcela0150]

@@mitchellvoeller5638 bro I appreciate you typing this, shit made my day

[@VincentVega-gl9vo]

I WOULD ADORE A DREAMCAST SUMMER SONGS VIDEO. THATS MY FAVORITE PEGGY ALBUM I DONT KNOW HOW I COULD LIVE WITHOUT CHUCHU ROCKET

[@scootmaloot4583]

it’s so good

[@jiorgo265]

I love Dreamcast summer songs and especially chu chu rocket the sample at 6:05 is beautiful

[@VincentVega-gl9vo]

@@jiorgo265 yesssssss peak music right there

[@Exalts]

TURN DOWN THE LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHTS and TAKE my handddddddddddd

[@Gusi8898]

Thank you so much Professor for your wonderful video! If you ever feel inclined, I would love to see you review Jpegmafia's "Communist Slow Jams-Directors Cut" which can be found on youtube. It is his first project under the Jpegmafia name, and by far his most thought provoking and politically complex work to date. Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@esnadieyo]

You nailed it by mentioning Aquatic Ambience, he actually used it as a sample in the track “Charli Baltimore” from the ♥️ (Heart Emoji) EP, the last project Devon dropped before Ghost Pop

[@yaseralgishi]

AVAA SO HAPPY THIS VIDEO CAME OUT! i was the one who commented that there were no good reviews, i knew of the 181 mics video but when the standard is professor skye… i still stand by my statement. i shall continue with watching the video now, thank you for making this

[@dylanclarke2787]

damn, never thought there would be some deep analysis of this mixtape. Skye you really are doing the best work on KZbin, we don't deserve you

[@nappywolff]

20:48 Peggy sampled it for a Devon Hendryx song titled “Charli Baltimore ✪” on a album called “❤ (Heart Emoji)”

[@damienhess2110]

Thank you Leon! The first few times I listened to this album I did not enjoy it but hearing your take on it showed me that I need to go back in give it a few more listens.

[@oddshaft4851]

thank you leon for having us blessed with this video, you should keep this discog dive and move on to dreamcast or joechillworld too! lovely review as always!

[@trydodis690]

Thank you Leon! I never thought this album would ever be properly analysed but I’m glad it was. I never knew the significance of the name Joe Chill relating to the Batman lore.

[@LonzoLa]

Mugen is also the name of the main character in an anime called Samurai Champloo, I always imagined the screams were his

[@scootmaloot4583]

AVAA this album is definitely a suicide note barry said that he was thinking if this album doesn’t find an audience he would just kill himself. also on the differences between the remastered and non-remastered versions of the songs, i can’t really tell the difference but i know i prefer the unremastered sakura coz it’s less obvious the ambient noise is porn. 😊

[@brandonguzman2531]

i just love how the message that was there at the end the ENTIRE time was clear as day on the remaster. it just shows how far hes come as a person. the whole reason devon hendryx vocals are so quiet on his entire discography is cuz of his insecurities, coming full circle and being clearer with with words hes had all these years ago

[@mitchellvoeller5638]

Gotta say this album found me when I was stricken with grief and listening to this album gave me the mental space to move in the process of grief. I’m a broke boy and will be waiting the 2 days. When it’s all said and done.when people talk about Jpeg in the goat conversation, this album should tae over the conversation. Although he has made better albums this one is like 36 chambers. It’s wrong in all the right ways.

[@the_boss45]

108 mics is sooo good

[@frogfan449]

"Ghost" would be a really good genre prefix. I want to hear ghost metal

[@TheRiskyforever]

love this album more than life itself, maybe it’s the depression, still, maybe my favorite ever. Also, the neon kitchen is either daydreaming or drugs. it’s like the place you escape from reality in. And that weather lady… god damn man

[@worldofcheese5886]

Damn the professor going deep into the discog. Respect. Plz listen to Cornballs if you haven't still haha

[@frogfan449]

In fact "ghost" music seems like a really good way to express being completely depressed and schizoid and essentially invisible. IDK how it did not become common after this album became really popular. I would think there is lots of music like that but not using that genre name

[@josh-qj2zu]

This album actually blew my mind genuinely some of the coolest sound I’ve heard

[@smellsfishi]

“dope videos to sleep to” AVAA ❤️

[@dophinprincess]

havent even watched yet but i was considering contacting you to review this about a year ago so im glad someone got to you about this

[@PabloHernandez-rr1or]

AVAA, it always cracks me up when u call jpeg jemargaret (my phone corrects it to juan pablo mafia). This album rlly inspired me when i first listened to it

[@ronnieDshman18]

I do think it’s really fascinating that a lot of great musicians and artists have been in the army. I dont usually think of it being a positive thing but I think in a way being in something like that could push you to make more art if you dont get sucked into the machine

[@francolaguzzi9128]

Small correction: Missing image file isn't on the remaster version but it's the outro of God bless my homegirls. Really enjoyed this review

[@lexnakahara6368]

seen that fuckin call me maybe song live one time, what a contrast to bumping devon's shit alone in the dark

[@Fourbeltsasuke]

Thank you Leon

[@spyspy4236]

we need a billy woods x Mach-Hommy album

[@4max0]

Ohh nice!! I really like also Dreamcast summer songs, too.

[@ko873]

Skye is a Grant Morrison fan? DAMN! Comic reader of culture.

[@cloudunknown]

If you enjoy the underwater level themes, I highly recommend you check out his EP/Album Heart Emoji. It was originally released in 2012 before the ghost pop tape and has an instrumental that covers the Donkey Kong Underwater Ambiance.

[@FeelinGood21]

Awesome video !!!

[@dwdavis6605]

I'd love to see a video where you'd tell obout your own upbringing and how you go to where you are now. Love from Latvia :)

[@lukastoter]

thank u Leon

[@PabloHernandez-rr1or]

Thank you to leon for face pillowing

[@jubiguh8631]

108 mics is the goat

[@slumox213]

Good Luck, (with your) Babe!

[@JoshBurcham104]

Avaa, well worth the pay! Are you considering ever covering any of his other albums, Devon or otherwise?

[@athehybrid]

I've been wearing my ghost pop tape shirt every week since I got it for Christmas, I'm hoping that someone will recognize it irl some day

[@hivemindclips151]

AVAA #BESTALBUMEVER and thank you leon

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

17:28 "Have you thought about getting a VPN? Don't" LOL I laughed so hard I did a spit take to that, one, Prof. AVAA

[@lacywilliams5649]

I saw Peggy in concert last week. He was awesome. He did cover Call Me Maybe. Also No Scrubs.

[@caol9206]

Love this album and your review but Liara is a character from mass effect and he samples her and the mc of the video game throughout the song

[@athehybrid]

AVAA HBK is one of my top 3 favorite Peggy songs ever, maybe even top 2.

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Gotta love the Prof for being completely bold and unafraid in the subject material he will cover on this channel. AVAA!

[@TuchNGoh]

Ray barbee is the jimmy Hendrix and devon hendryx of the skateboarding world.

[@davuddacic3737]

Vol.1: Flick your Tongue against your teeth and describe the present

[@josh-qj2zu]

“We need to replace me with Kamala” that had me crying laughing

[@ryszardsikora6894]

I'm 20 minutes in Skye hasn't mentioned the actual music once. AVAA

[@oddshaft4851]

AVAA, cant you just release it now im in urgent need of a review this big

[@robYT_]

I’ve always had negative feelings toward the dark knight but I could never put my finger on it cuz I’ve never heard any good criticism of it until randomly now in this video. Thank you for opening my eyes AVAA

[@robYT_]

Oh and thank you Leon

[@Thermophobe]

pardon my ignorance but it gives me the weeknd vibes before we went mainstream, besides the fact that according to him he still got women. thank mr leon, very cool. i could use this album myself

[@jjwdpod]

The Ghost Pop Tape vaguely reminds me of Crack Brutal Grief by R. Bruce Elder, that he made in response to a friends s icide. Is the internet a readily available well of natures grief

[@judahlee2367]

thank you leon and professor skye Professor Skye, can you do an analysis of You Won't Get What You Want by Daughters and Sinner Get Ready by Lingua Ignota together?

[@liamobrien6044]

I don’t know if there’s any additional context or references I’m missing, but I always thought the Batman and joker pez despensers was like him and another man? Like representing a gay relationship? Idk that was always what I thought when I saw that.

[@benjaminvidal7151]

DVTST !!!!! nice one professor

[@deltamu436]

really need you to check out joechillworld! my favorite plus ironman on the cover

[@pineapplepete671]

Real Skye Guys saw this already on Patreon!

[@dophinprincess]

shoutout leo

[@stophstophsoniv9429]

I paused the video to watch the movie. My perspective of reality has been altered! AVAA 😃

[@12sleep34]

HELL yeah!!!!!!

[@will_cashgrow2294]

I'm surprised 😮 😲 😯 you didnt do the NEW BROWNSVILLE KA ALBUM called - The Theif Next To Jesus

[@jacobdagenhardt5300]

Anyone know the name of his second channel?

[@thesegreydays]

Yayyyyy

[@King_Quint]

TWO DAYS

[@jeansilovejeans795]

wtf this started 31 minsa ago

[@JohnnShubin]

Have you listened to Isaiah Rashad? Particularly the suns tirade ?

[@kylemayo-blake995]

Please please please listen to F.U.N T.O.Y by Sideshow

[@michaelklosinski2902]

The thumbn(A)il of this (V)ideo h(A)s my sides (A)ching!

[@cloudunknown]

Maybe alcohol made your ear red?

[@lazhwardafsharzada]

AVAA

[@muriloalvarez935]

AVAA

[@beetlejuice4893]

sign crushes motorist mentioned in professor skye video

[@kwyatt261]

It's clear you'll do ANYTHING for money. In the words of Henry Rollins, you're one of THEM

[@luhgoat2008]

you da goat