Photo by Sam Snapped It.
JoogSzn has built himself a powerful resume in the Los Angeles hip-hop community, supplying beats to some of the city’s most talented artists. He’s best known as the producer of the late, great Drakeo the Ruler’s Thank You For Using GTL, recording all of Drakeo’s via prison phone in a marathon 13-hour session.
Today, he’s entering a new chapter in his career: His debut LP, Where’s Joog?, is a 20-track tour de force featuring seven previously published cuts — “Ksubi” feat. PettyPetty and Ralfy the Plug, Drakeo’s “Ion Rap Beef” feat. 03 Greedo and Earl Sweatshirt, Greedo’s “Champagne in my Wok” feat. OHGEESY and Zmoney (co-produced by Joog and LDtheMonsta), Talibando’s “Dior Shopping” feat. Fenix Flexin and Baby Smoove (listed as “Shopping For Dior” on the new record), Lil L’s “Slide” feat. Kee Riche$, and Bompton Nephew, and two remixes of Conradfrmdaaves’ “Vintage & Adventurous,” one with Gunna and the other with E-40 and Mozzy — as well 13 songs from the vault. Joog raps on two of the newly released songs, “Yokin n Scrapin” and “Game Related” feat. Mr. Mac.
According to Joog, the title of the new project refers to a moment in 2016 when he was unexpectedly snatched up by the feds and barred from using his phone. Threatened with 10 years in prison, his future was blurry, but he beat the case and committed himself to music from then on out. Where’s Joog? is the first formal document of his journey from rock bottom to the elite position he occupies today. Listen below.