Jaymob Credit: Courtesy

Guys, it’s serious. Yes, the country. But I’m talking about hip-hop. At this point in history, rap is like America itself. It sprang from headwaters deep, seminal and core to our cultural identity. Currently, however, it’s astray, untethered to its original ethos and in jeopardy of losing its very soul. No, the degeneration isn’t total. But it’s rampant enough to sound the alarm.

Imagine if mumble rap and similarly half-baked modern hip-hop tropes never happened. Yes, my personal fantasy indeed. It’s also what the ambitious new project by Orlando’s DJ Jaymob sounds like. Dropping April 17, The Wax Addicts Vol. 1 is the maiden edition of a fresh vinyl series presented by Jaymob that’s a proud and avowed throwback to tradition. 

The feature roster is a far-reaching, credentialed assembly that goes from native names (Hiku [The Nature Boy], Ant-One, S.B. the Anomaly) to big household names (Smif-N-Wesson, Craig G, Masta Ace, Ruste Juxx) and everything in between, with talent from all over the country. “I wanted to bring together some of the best MCs from different regions and showcase their skills,” says Jaymob. “It’s not just about one style or sound; it’s about representing the true essence of hip-hop.”

To that end, Jaymob and crew keep it classic and fundamental with this album. A blend of hard-snapping boom-bap beats and tight, articulated cadences, this is a purist’s delight. Forget all the drug-blurred streams of semi-consciousness out there right now; The Wax Addicts Vol. 1 is a clear-eyed revival of golden-era 1990s hip-hop. No mushmouth Lil Yachty shit here. 

In true, uncompromising form, The Wax Addicts Vol. 1 will be released exclusively on limited-run vinyl through Gas Face Records. Headlined by Juice Crew legend Craig G, the official release event is Friday, April 17, at The Commission Beer Chamber as the kickoff for Lo-Life Orlando’s big, star-studded “Love & Loyalty” weekend.

Orlando’s daily dose of what matters. Subscribe to The Daily Weekly.

Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

This article appears in April 15-21, 2026.

Music columnist.