Lil Tjay – Focus on the Music (Album Review)

Lil Tjay gets raw and petty on new mixtape Focus on the Music — 5 tracks of mood, flex, and disrespect.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. Amazing Years

Lil Tjay sounds mad loopy on this track.

“Amazing Years” closes the album on a more grounded note. The beat is still moody, but this time it’s got a little extra bounce and sturdiness to it. Tjay uses the space to reflect, rapping about how he made it thanks to the risks he was willing to take. His flow sits nicely on the track, but the hazy, almost slurred delivery makes it feel less polished and more like an intentionally raw moment—one of those takes that feels straight out of the booth without a clean-up.

4. Soul Gone

Folks who can operate without souls need to be examined.

In “Soul Gone,” Lil Tjay doubles down on his favorite pastime—checking his haters while flexing the bankroll. From designer buys to flashy toys, he makes it clear he’s living a lifestyle his enemies can only scroll past on Instagram. As with much of the album, he carries himself like he’s one step away from going full Rambo on anybody testing his patience. The production holds weight too, with an energetic tempo and some genuinely gripping vibes, though it does lean a little rough around the edges. It’s hard-hitting, but you can hear where the polish could’ve been cleaner.

3. Scrutiny

Lil Tjay has been through a lot of s**t.

“Scrutiny” leans heavy into the soul, riding an emotional instrumental laced with haunting, almost crying samples in the background. Over it, Lil Tjay sounds more assertive than usual, letting his vocals cut through with conviction. He raps about staying solid no matter what, reflecting on close calls with the police, and saluting his day-one supporters. The relentless flow paired with the vulnerable backdrop gives the track a raw edge that hits both lyrically and emotionally.

2. The Score Fine

This is what Carolina Panthers players probably say every week.

“The Score Fine” opens the project with Lil Tjay laying it all out over a moody, hard-knocking instrumental. The beat sets the tone with its dark atmosphere and steady tempo, giving him space to dig into his story. He raps about his rough come-up, the grind of trying to make moves in the streets, and the betrayals that came with it — backstabbing, bad characters, and all. His delivery balances raw emotion with a battle-tested edge, switching gears when he really starts to go in. It’s a gritty, honest way to kick things off.

1. Been Had Gigi

Kai Cenat may have to put the endorsements down and whoop feet.

“Been Had Gigi” might be the most disrespectful track on the album—and honestly, it’s also the best. Over a bouncy backdrop that mixes melancholic tones with Jersey club energy, Lil Tjay opens up about being a misunderstood gangsta who couldn’t care less about outside opinions. At the same time, he sharpens his aim at his enemies, including Kai Cenat, with a direct jab at his girlfriend, Gigi. The delivery leans a little whiny, but it actually works, pairing well with the moody beat and a Fridayy-style hook that ties it all together.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. The Score Fine (3.5/5)

2. Scrutiny (4/5)

3. Been Had Gigi (3.5/5)

4. Soul Gone (3/5)

5. Amazing Years (3/5)

RGM RATING

(68%)

Lil Tjay’s Focus on the Music is a five-track mixtape that leans heavily into moody beats, raw emotion, and street-centered storytelling. Across the project, Tjay balances vulnerable reflections with aggressive, battle-tested energy.

On “The Score Fine” and “Scrutiny,” he digs into his rough come-up, backstabbing, and loyalty, while also paying homage to day ones and dodging the police. “Been Had Gigi” stands out as the tape’s most striking track, blending Jersey club rhythms with a disrespectful edge, as Tjay takes aim at rivals while painting himself as a misunderstood figure.

The darker side continues with “Soul Gone,” where he brags about money and flexes against haters, though the production feels a bit rougher around the edges. Finally, “Amazing Years” closes things out on a reflective note, as Tjay credits his success to risk-taking while delivering hazy, unpolished vocals that give the track a raw finish.

Overall, the mixtape captures Tjay in a space between pain and pride—moody, aggressive, and unfiltered, with just enough vulnerability to keep it personal.