What makes Tear Gas by The Jacka notable?

'Tear Gas' received significant acclaim within the underground hip-hop community and showcased The Jacka's lyrical depth, influencing many emerging West Coast artists. The album’s standout tracks garnered attention for their storytelling and emotional weight, contributing to its lasting impact on the genre. Released on June 16, 2009, 'Tear Gas' was The Jacka's fifth studio album, following his critically acclaimed collaboration with the group Mob Figaz. At this point in his career, he had established himself as a prominent figure in the Bay Area hip-hop scene, blending elements of gangsta rap with more reflective themes.

Tear Gas works well if you're into steady flow for reflective moments, gritty realism in everyday struggles and smooth beats for focused listening.

How many songs are on Tear Gas?

Tear Gas has 19 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Tear Gas

The Jacka · 2009

72 min · 19 tracks · gangsta rap

A gritty blend of introspective lyrics and West Coast beats, embodying both personal struggle and street wisdom.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Glamorous Lifestyle — This track exemplifies The Jacka's ability to juxtapose materialistic themes with deeper reflections on identity and success, encapsulating the album's essence.
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They Don't Know — The song highlights The Jacka's narrative style, as he explores misconceptions about his life and artistry, making it a poignant commentary on fame.
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What Happened to the World — In this track, The Jacka delves into societal issues and personal disillusionment, showcasing his commitment to addressing real-world problems through his lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends introspective lyrics with varied beats, creating a distinct West Coast sound while maintaining some unevenness in flow.

What we noticed

The album opens with a laid-back track that sets a reflective tone, followed by more aggressive beats in the subsequent songs.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
The last three tracks shift to slower tempos, providing a contrast to the earlier high-energy pieces and allowing for introspection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady flow for reflective moments
gritty realism in everyday struggles
smooth beats for focused listening
aspirational themes with relatable narratives
ideal for urban night drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on June 16, 2009, 'Tear Gas' was The Jacka's fifth studio album, following his critically acclaimed collaboration with the group Mob Figaz. At this point in his career, he had established himself as a prominent figure in the Bay Area hip-hop scene, blending elements of gangsta rap with more reflective themes.
Stylistic neighbors: Berner· Cozz· Mozzy