Chicago rapper Juice Mazelee opens up about his most personal and powerful album yet, blending raw storytelling with lyrical growth while reflecting deeply on legacy, identity, self-discovery, and why he’s ‘Here Now N Forever.’
for fans of Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def
‘HERE NOW N FOREVER’ – Juice Mazelee
“Take a look inside my life, man, how the f* I get here?”
Juice Mazelee’s sophomore album finds the Chicago rapper at a crossroads – grappling with his past, confronting his present, and pushing toward an uncertain future. From the memories of lost loved ones to moments of reckoning and redemption, Here Now N Forever is a deeply personal exploration of identity, legacy, and the pursuit of authenticity in a world full of distractions. With each track, Mazelee reflects on his journey – from the struggles of his youth to the lessons learned as an independent artist.
Here Now N Forever is not just an album, but a declaration: A promise to continue evolving, carving out his place in hip-hop, and leaving a mark that endures beyond the moment.
take a look inside my life
man how the f* i get here?
must been from faith i couldn’t muster
back when pauly was here
relationships all reconsidered
can’t tell who is sincere
maybe I’m just peeping scene
or manifesting my fears
still think ‘bout pauly every day
and even though it’s been years
I couldnt imagine back in high school
that we would be here
I had a left like d rose
and not mention my gear
was draped in stussy everyday
point out a day and the year
tryna get closer to my dreams
put obstacles in my rear
but these optical allusions
closer than they appear
I saw my life my before my eyes
then the scene disappeared
the bullet holes inside that whip
could’ve been in my ribs
I talk to god every day
and pray his favor stay near
I thug this shit out for the most
now again shed a tear
but whip ‘em fast to peep the vibes
nowadays shit is weird
man it still f* me up
that bush ain’t see top of this year
but we here…
– “HERE,” Juice Mazelee ft. FromTheSource
Released in June 2024 via One Maze One God Music, Here Now N Forever (stylized in all caps) is the soundtrack of a man who, despite the weight of the world, continues to move forward with unwavering determination and a commitment to both his craft and his community. Arriving three long years after his debut album HVNSNT (“Heavensent”) introduced him as a force to be reckoned with, Juice Mazelee’s second full-length effort is raw, unfiltered, ambitious, and expansive.
The rapper puts his impeccable delivery and storytelling skills on display while taking us through the trials and triumphs of his life, weaving a narrative of loss, reflection, and growth, all while embracing hip-hop’s soulful side: Collaborators include a wide array of Chicago artists from all walks of life, including D2G, The Third, Rudy P. Magic, Vani Indu, Christopher Robbin’, Chris Greene, and more.
“I can remember finishing the version of what I thought this album would be, and then my life made a super dramatic change,” Mazelee tells Atwood Magazine. “This impacted my personal life as well as my art. I separated myself from the original ideas of the album and refocused my vision. All in all, there were at least three different tracklists for this album at some point (ask Vani Indu, she heard them all), and I landed on the one that felt best to my spirit.”
“The outcome was pretty much what I envisioned in the beginning,” he continues. “When I started this record I wanted to double down on my legacy. I wanted to show that I’m a natural talent when it comes to hip-hop, and that I can compete on the highest level when needed. Setting my legacy in stone was my mission, and I believe that was accomplished with this record. The responses from the supporters were honestly shocking.”
The album’s title itself is a ‘little message’ for Mazelee’s supporters. “I will be Here Now and Forever. One thing about being an independent artist is that I have ownership of my art, and I’ve left pieces of this art for generations to come,” he smiles. “No matter what, I left my mark on this earth through my art and that will remain now and forever.”
Mazelee has been an active member in the rap and hip-hop communities for well over the past decade, dating back to his 2015 debut, The W.A.R Oracle.
To him, Here Now N Forever is so much more than just the latest edition of his art and artistry. “It’s the project that all the other albums had to be made for,” he says. “They walked so this album could run. I think in comparison to the past releases, there is a man giving you life from his personal experience, whereas an earlier release like The W.A.R Oracle, I was 17 when I released it. Needless to say, I had a lot to learn about life and the world around me, still very wise for my age but had a long way to go.”
“I think the most interesting thing I can highlight is my growth lyrically and writing ability wise. Same Juice you knew before – just older, better, and wiser.”
Highlights abound on the journey from the scene-setting “HERE” and “EVEN IF” to the cathartic closure of album closer “ALL DAWGS GO 2 HVN (THE CLARITY).” Soulful, heavy, and heated, “A WISH N A PRAYER” is a weathered coming-of-age reflection on the trials of young adulthood, tracking all those life lessons Mazelee learned the hard way. Through seductive and smoldering musical production courtesy of The Third, we hear a teenaged version of the artist figuring out, through older Mazelee’s eyes, that he’s on his own; that he has the power to make himself or break himself; and that life is a fine balance between spending today and saving up for tomorrow – a lesson that goes for far beyond the money in his pocket.
A thug praying for some change
was it cream he wished for?
he sick and tired of feeling
like he headed through a trapped door
phone full of text drafts from help that he ain’t asked for
maybe it’s just f*ing pride but then again he might know
that wouldn’t lend a hand if he fell on spiked floors
he talk to god every day, god get back when he can
he got some bills past due and he could sure use a hand
he screaming this his last letter got em feeling like Stan
tryna stay properly prepared so he on time for the plan
he got no shoulder left for tears nobody feel what he saying
wonder if alpo said a prayer ‘fore he took out his mans
or wish the karma never reach him how he dished it again
too many potholes in the game somebody call a fill in
before this fake sh* overtake and everything out of hand
nowadays support ain’t sh* but sharing pics of the ‘gram
so when he say he falling back will the real understand
and if you respect that at least respect where he stand
hard times gon’ test us all in the end did he win
“My favorite highlight was recording ‘Thru,’” Mazelee says. “I remember Rudy P Magic’s reaction when we were listening back to the recording. I knew I had a special track because he’s always been an honest critic when it comes to my art. He was excited about this one, so I was too.”
As for his favorite lyrics, he cites a line in the jazzy “Passion” (featuring Chris Robbin), his album’s passionate penultimate track: “‘The Sun Child shuttle come through with a nice ray. See usually I’m Jay, but today I’m just like Maze.’ If you know me, those bars are me in the nutshell. Rarely do I walk around in rap mode in my personal life, but when it’s time to roll up the sleeves, I get busy. When I wrote those bars I was definitely ‘in mode.’
Maze refers to himself as the “sun child” throughout his oeuvre, and while he’s no doubt weathered quite a few storms, the sun is definitely shining on him and through him on Here Now N Forever.
Capturing his shift from raw ambition to a deep sense of self-awareness, Mazelee’s latest marks a defining moment in his career, cementing his place in hip-hop with a refined lyrical style and a message of resilience.
“I’ve learned to keep building and trust myself throughout the entire process,” the rapper shares. “I nearly wrecked my brain putting this together, picking the right mixes, and picking the right songs. It all was a process I had never experienced when working on a project, and it taught me to trust my intuition and lean into my artistry even more. That’s what I want the listener to take away from it. Use my story as fuel to get where you want to be and make your mark on this world.”
As tenacious as he is tender, Mazelee leaves us on an inspirational high with the closing words of “ALL DAWGS GO 2 HVN”: “I used to be asleep, now my soul’s awake, praying all my early dawgs reached the pearly gates.” It’s a reminder to all of us to live in the present, and a promise, from him to all those who left too soon, to bring their memory along for the ride.
Ultimately, that’s what this collection is: At the crossroads of past, present, and future, Juice Mazelee rises as a voice of truth and wisdom for all. Experience the full record via our below stream, and peek inside Juice Mazelee’s Here Now n Forever with Atwood Magazine as he goes track-by-track through these songs and the moments that brought them to life.
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‘HERE NOW N FOREVER’ – Juice Mazelee
:: Inside HERE NOW N FOREVER ::
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HERE
This song embodies the moment of the entire album. I wanted to write a record that acknowledges my past but connects the listeners to my present. The present time we all share together and how I view it.
EVEN IF
This record was special because it was my first collaboration with my good friend and brother D2G. It’s a moment that highlights both of our skill sets on an incredible Rudy P Magic beat. I think it’s also worth mentioning D2G freestyled his verse and recorded it in a single take.
THRU (THE HIGH)
Self-reflection was the mission with this track but not the somber kind of reflection my listeners are used to. This time around I wanted to have a bit of fun but also shed light on my self awareness of certain habits. While boasting in my own determination to still win.
COULD SAY THEY SAY
It’s basically my Dear Hater or Sneakdisser “fuck you” song. I wrote this song with my back against the wall. It’s an older track and one of the first I made for the HVNSNT folder. I felt like now was the right time to share it.
PROCEED
It was fun to step in my R&B bag for this one. I remember writing the hook and I just couldn’t sing it. Just like “Could Say They Say,” this track is from the HVNSNT folder. It’s special to me because I literally shared it with four people I love dearly and the message is pure. The road to success can often be lonely but by any means necessary proceed!
DIFFERENT DAY/SAME MAZE
“Different Day” is special to me because it’s a step into a different style I’ll be giving my listeners from time to time. It was dope to step out of my normal flow and have some fun. Just like with “Crown,” Rudy P. cooked up the perfect opportunity for me to do just that.
NOW (THE MOMENT)
Produced by my brother J.Tempo NOW is the second most important because it takes us back to reality/the present. After all the fun I mentioned before, it brings all the attention back to the serious matters at hand like grieving, trauma bonding and trauma responses, desperation, and coping exercises.
PRESSURE (B4 THE MEAL)
“Pressure” may be a personal favorite of mine just because I love how dope of a track it is. Rudy and I both knew this track was special when recorded. Aside from my own opinion. I remember letting my brother hear it and he told me it was one of his favorites but also one of my best songs in his opinion. I took his advice and put it on the album. Y’all can thank Herm for “Pressure.”
A WISH N A PRAYER
I feel like this song aged me as an artist in a good way. One thing I would say to my younger Emcees is that some tracks will just come to you with age and experience so relish in that. One day it’ll all make sense and it did for me. I feel like 17 year old juice would be amazed that we even wrote a song like this. It’s grown man rap.
PASSION
Another “Grown Man Rap” moment with this one. Big shout out to my bro Chris Robbin’ for not only producing and recording the track but also jumping on the mission to share his truth as well. Amazing work with this track and it came together kind of effortless.
ALL DAWGS GO 2 HVN (THE CLARITY)
The moment of clarity. HERE NOW N FOREVER is a reminder but also a reflection. Part of the time I spend in between albums I’m living life and taking in all of my experiences, some beautiful and some painful. I process and I come back to give you guys the summary. This track is the summary.
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