Hendricks was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, to Jamaican parents. He spent the majority of his childhood in Flatbush before moving to Alabama at age 13, where he says he experienced a significant amount of racism, later affecting his music. Hendricks moved to Louisiana and enlisted in the United States Air Force at age 18. He served a tour of duty in Iraq and also spent time in Kuwait, Germany, Japan, and North Africa before being honorably discharged. Though he previously claimed to have a master's degree in journalism, Hendricks has since clarified that, though having studied the subject while deployed, he was not officially awarded a degree. In April of 2021, Hendricks revealed through social media that he had "a sexually, verbally, and physically abusive childhood."
Hendricks developed an interest in music production at the age of 15, and he began producing after he learned how to sample. Describing his production, Hendricks says "When I was first making beats, no one liked the beats. To this day I give people beats and they're just confused." He says "I started rapping because no one liked my beats." Noting that he started producing before he started rapping, Hendricks said "I'm a producer first kind of, and then a rapper second but I take both of them seriously."
His music has mostly been described as experimental hip-hop but has been said to incorporate a wide range of genres into his music such as trap, R&B, and noise rap. In an interview with Cambridge Union, Hendricks noted that his biggest influence is Kanye West. He states that one of his earliest influences was the rock group Hanson. He has also cited Ol' Dirty Bastard, Throbbing Gristle, MF DOOM,Lil B, Chief Keef, Ice Cube, Rick Rubin, Cam'Ron, Björk, Janelle Monáe, Radiohead, The Backstreet Boys, and Arca as influences.
During his military stay in Japan, he was producing and writing music under the name Devon Hendryx. In 2015, after moving to Baltimore, he began to make music under his moniker JPEGMAFIA, under which he released his mixtape “Communist Slow Jams” in April of 2015. Only a month later, he released his mixtape “Darkskin Manson,” inspired by the Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore happening right as he had moved there.
Following a number of mixtapes, Hendricks released his debut studio album, “Black Ben Carson,” in February 2016 via Deathbomb Arc featuring a much harsher, distorted sound than his other projects. Four months later, he released a collaborative EP with fellow Baltimore-based rapper Freaky, titled "The 2nd Amendment.” After less than 3 years living there, Hendricks moved from Baltimore to Los Angeles to record his next studio album. In January 2018, he released his second studio album “Veteran.” In an article on Bandcamp, he said “I wanted to show I'm not just a one-trick pony. I always do weird shit. I usually just keep it to myself. This time, I just let the filter go." At the time of its release, “Veteran” was considered JPEGMAFIA's most experimental album to date, receiving widespread critical acclaim.
After the release of Veteran, Hendricks started working on his next album. He recorded 93 songs but whittled it down to only 18 tracks. He mixed and mastered it at the end of Vince Staples' tour, posting percentage updates frequently on his Instagram. Prior to the release, he would label the project as a "disappointment" in interviews and his social media. The first single from the album, "Jesus Forgive Me, I Am a Thot," was released on August 13, 2019. He promoted the album by uploading a series of listening sessions to his YouTube channel where friends and artists such as Denzel Curry, Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco), and Hannibal Buress discussed and reacted to cuts off of the album. “All My Heroes Are Cornballs” was released on September 13, 2019, to further critical acclaim, and was his first album to chart. In October 2019, he embarked on the JPEGMAFIA Type Tour to support his album.
In 2020, Hendricks released several singles across the span of the year, and compiled them into an EP, aptly titled EP!. It was released on Hendricks' Bandcamp page on November 6, and on streaming services with the addition of one extra single on December 10. On February 12, 2021, Hendricks released his second extended play, EP2!. On October 2, Hendricks announced his album, LP!, which was released on October 22, 2021, his birthday.
On January 15, 2023, Hendricks made a hint on his social media that he was working on a collaborative project with fellow rapper, Danny Brown. On January 20, 2023, Hendricks officially announced three albums will be dropping the same year. On February 10, 2023, Hendricks announced on his Twitter that the collaborative project with Danny Brown was finished, and is working on his second album for the year. On February 28, 2023, on The Danny Brown Show, both Hendricks and Brown announced that their collaborative project was named SCARING THE HOES, and played a sneak peek of the first single on the project.
On March 13, 2023, the first single of the project called “Lean Beef Patty“ was released to streaming services, and Hendricks announced that the collaborative project is set to release on March 24, 2023. The second single “SCARING THE HOES“ was released to streaming services three days before the release date of the album along with a music video. Three days later, the collaborative album "SCARING THE HOES"was released.
Whole Foods
JPEGMAFIA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man, if I don't-, huh-uh-huh-uh-huh
Bitch, I shop at Whole Foods like I'm boujee
Pass the blunt, my mind is missin'
Tweet my shit, I need the mentions
Stop pretendin'
Look, look
Hermit 'til I die, close the blinds, bitch (bitch)
Mama told me, "Baby, you's a prophet, so profit" (profit)
Treat these fucking labels like a side-, hold up
Fuck it dog, I had to do it (ooh)
Reviewers looking stupid, stick to music
I am the Black God, fuck a human, Stanley Kubrick (yeah)
You know this rappin' shit be therapeutic
Pitchfork told me to never be abusive 'less I'm movin' units
I see what the truth is
'Cause niggas preaching 'bout the pussy be the biggest douches
Wow
Nasty
Damn, Peggy
I'm out the window lookin' real stupid, fuck that
It's young Scully how I peep the ruins (shh), trust that
I whip the whip like the shit been boosted (whip it)
My bus pass ain't been legit since I smashed Karrueche (not true)
These people thinking that they warriors, they straight Kabuki (it happen)
I hit your mama with that Conker's Bad Fur Day
GoldenEye, hit 'em up (uh)
Perfect Dark nigga for the job, so I zip 'em up
Put 'em in a bag like I'm pickin' up dog shit
The song "Whole Foods" by JPEGMAFIA, also known as Peggy, revolves around themes of identity, success, and the contradictions within the music industry. The lyrics delve into Peggy's experience with fame and how it has affected his perception of himself and others. He starts by asserting his sense of status and sophistication by mentioning that he shops at Whole Foods like he's boujee (a slang term for being high-class). Despite this outward display of confidence, he admits to feeling mentally displaced, seeking validation through social media mentions.
Peggy then switches gear and speaks about his unconventional approach to fame and music-making. He compares himself to a side chick, someone who remains reclusive and hidden from the spotlight. His mother, recognizing his talents, encourages him to profit from his prophetic abilities. He views music labels as secondary, possibly indicating his desire for artistic independence. Peggy's view of himself as a Black God juxtaposes against the flawed humanity of others, illustrated by his reference to filmmaker Stanley Kubrick.
The next section of the lyrics addresses the pretentiousness and hypocrisy prevalent within the music industry. Peggy sarcastically criticizes reviewers who fail to properly understand his artistry. He recognizes the therapeutic nature of rap and acknowledges the importance of balancing artistic expression with responsibility. He critiques those who focus on objectifying women, referring to them as "the biggest douches." This section concludes with him sarcastically exclaiming "Wow," possibly highlighting the absurdity of these contradictions within the industry.
Overall, "Whole Foods" provides a glimpse into the complexity of Peggy's life as an artist, navigating fame, success, and the pressures of the music industry. The lyrics highlight his desire to remain authentic and unapologetic while challenging societal norms and the hypocrisy he encounters within the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Sir
Excuse me, sir
Man, if I don't-, huh-uh-huh-uh-huh
If I'm not mistaken, hmm, yes
Bitch, I shop at Whole Foods like I'm boujee
I, a person of elevated taste, frequent Whole Foods
Pass the blunt, my mind is missin'
Please hand me the marijuana, my mind is absent
Tweet my shit, I need the mentions
Share my work on social media platforms to gain public recognition
Stop pretendin'
Cease your charade
Look, look
Pay attention, observe
Ridin' 'round the city like a side bitch
Cruising through the city discreetly
Hermit 'til I die, close the blinds, bitch (bitch)
I prefer solitude and will remain secluded until my demise
Mama told me, 'Baby, you's a prophet, so profit'
My mother imparted wisdom, stating that I have prophetic abilities and should capitalize on them
Treat these fucking labels like a side-, hold up
I handle these record labels dismissively, hold on a moment
Fuck it dog, I had to do it (ooh)
I took the risk, my friend, it was necessary
Reviewers looking stupid, stick to music
The critics appear foolish, they should stick to critiquing music
I am the Black God, fuck a human, Stanley Kubrick (yeah)
I am a divine being, transcending humanity, similar to the visionary Stanley Kubrick
You know this rappin' shit be therapeutic
The act of rapping serves as a form of therapy for me
Pitchfork told me to never be abusive 'less I'm movin' units
Pitchfork advised me not to be verbally aggressive unless it results in substantial sales
I see what the truth is
I comprehend the reality
'Cause niggas preaching 'bout the pussy be the biggest douches
Those who constantly boast about their sexual conquests are often the most unpleasant individuals
Nasty
Disgusting
Damn, Peggy
Goodness, Peggy
I'm out the window lookin' real stupid, fuck that
I am positioned at the window, feeling foolish, but I disregard it
It's young Scully how I peep the ruins (shh), trust that
Like young Scully, I silently observe the ruins, you can trust my insight
I whip the whip like the shit been boosted (whip it)
I expertly drive the car as if it were modified for speed
My bus pass ain't been legit since I smashed Karrueche (not true)
My bus pass has not been valid ever since I had a romantic relationship with Karrueche (this statement is not true)
These people thinking that they warriors, they straight Kabuki (it happen)
These individuals falsely believe they are brave, but they are merely putting on a theatrical performance
I hit your mama with that Conker's Bad Fur Day
I insulted your mother using a reference to the video game 'Conker's Bad Fur Day'
GoldenEye, hit 'em up (uh)
Similar to the game 'GoldenEye', I metaphorically strike and confront them
Perfect Dark nigga for the job, so I zip 'em up
I am the perfect, covert individual to handle the task, so I dispose of them effectively
Put 'em in a bag like I'm pickin' up dog shit
I metaphorically gather and discard them like one would with dog feces
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Barrington Hendricks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind