Album Review: ADHD 2 Proves Why Joyner Lucas Is One of the Best Today
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As someone who appreciates storytelling and artistry that has layers, both in design and delivery, I knew I needed a few listens before speaking on ADHD 2. I didn’t want to rush a reaction to an artist known for thoughtful bars and detailed structure.
This isn’t a playlist of singles or TikTok baits. It’s a body of work with purpose, and Joyner Lucas leans all the way into it.
Let’s break it down, from the album art to the features, and everything in between:
The Signature Sound: Familiar, But Refined
ADHD 2 sounds like a Joyner Lucas album, there’s no denying it. His flow is razor sharp. Rhyme density is sky high. But it never feels stale. It’s controlled chaos. Despite his diagnosis, he crafts vivid, structured narratives that leave no detail untouched.
Critics who say Joyner talks too much about ADHD or leans too hard on skits are missing the point, especially when you consider the legends doing them. This is album-making at its core. Theme, cohesion, and artistic growth. That’s rare today.
Most albums now sound like compilations of disconnected songs and genres, chasing charts instead of telling a story. Artists stopped caring about crafting cohesive projects, so listeners stopped expecting them. But Joyner didn’t. He leans into substance, a defined concept, and personal storytelling.
The title is ADHD, but it goes beyond the surface. This is about the patterns, struggles, and layers that define him. And regardless of what critics say, Joyner is everything he says he is. One of them. One of the best to do it.
Eminem even says in a skit on the third track:
“He [Joyner] was saying a lot of lines that I saw some of me in that. But at the same time, it was different because it was like, he is not compromising bars to tell his story. He still got complexity in them. Like he’s taking you on this journey and I never snapped out of that journey until it was over.”
The Album Cover: Symbolism Most Missed
Let’s start with the visual. The album artwork sparked mixed reactions online. That surprised me, but it showed how few some listeners are willing to look beneath the surface anymore.
The butterfly on the cover isn’t random. It’s long been tied to ADHD. It represents energy, quick shifts in focus, and transformation. Here’s how the symbolism clicks:
- Restlessness: Butterflies are fast and constantly moving. A perfect parallel to ADHD energy.
- Shifting Focus: Just like a butterfly jumps flower to flower, those with ADHD often shift gears mentally.
- Individuality: No two butterflies are alike. Neither are people with ADHD.
- Growth: Going from caterpillar to butterfly is an evolution. Joyner reflects this across the album.
Once you understand that, the cover becomes more than aesthetic. It mirrors the internal journey Joyner maps out over the 22 tracks.
Opening Chaos: The Mind Unleashed
The album kicks off with a “Family Therapy (Skit),” where Joyner’s inner world comes undone. It’s immediately clear we’re stepping into the chaos of Joyner’s mind. A younger version of himself spirals out of control, fighting with his mom, refusing his meds, and cursing out both parents who are clearly at their wits’ end. But the real twist? The therapist encourages it.
This isn’t your typical album intro… It’s disturbing, unexpected, and sets the tone for what’s to come. Throughout the album, Joyner revisits this inner war, later calling out how therapy felt more like a hindrance than help, and unpacking the relationships he has with both parents. All of this is key to understanding how his mind works.
What follows is “I Wish I Knew” featuring a Snoop Dogg skit. Snoop didn’t need to be here. But, he’s a legend and Joyner meets the moment regardless. The beat is cold, and he delivers a powerful verse about isolation, self-preservation, and the cost of being misunderstood.
Today, he’s heartless, self-made, and untrusting, shaped by everything he’s been through. The voices in his head don’t let up. They push him forward. This is Joyner in his element with multiple flows, endless bars, speed, and precision. The track closes with that inner voice telling him to never look back.
Then comes “One of Them,” a early standout track with sonic callbacks to “Isis” with Logic. It was actually the lead single for the album when it was announced. He put together this trailer for ADHD 2:
Storytelling & Substance
The album hits a turning point with “Tear Me Down,” assisted by Ava Max. This is where Joyner’s storytelling reaches another level. The song explores heartbreak, mental health, and the emotional toll of being misunderstood. It reflects the sudden shifts in focus that come with ADHD.
While juggling the chaos in his head, Joyner is also juggling love and relationships. He highlights the pain of losing people who don’t understand him and the growth that follows. The song is powerful and showcases what Joyner does best. He offers real substance. When it comes to storytelling, very few do it better.
He released a music video for the song following the album’s release:
“Kevin (Skit)” brings in Kevin Hart, who seems to be playing the role of a critic. It feels like a direct response to online hate Joyner gets sometimes. The commentary is honest, and it makes way for Eminem’s deeper praise in the next track.
“The Way That I Am” dives into childhood trauma, circling back to the album’s intro. Joyner reflects on his journey, staying true to himself and rejecting the need for industry approval. It’s clear that much of how he navigates the industry stems from his past.
That momentum carries into “Riot,” the perfect follow-up. Joyner raps about rising from the trenches and his relentless hunger to be rich. He knows he may not always top the charts, but he’s comfortable in his skin and exactly where he needs to be. Once again, he proves he can craft hooks just as sharp as his verses.
The placement of this track reinforces the album’s chaotic theme. Like the butterflies on the cover, known for their unpredictable, high-energy flight, Joyner mirrors the scattered yet purposeful nature of someone living with ADHD.
The sequencing so far is pretty spot on.
Hits with Mass Appeal
“Hate Me” featuring T-Pain is catchy, clean, and undeniably radio-ready. It’s a song that could have been a lead single. T-Pain delivers a smooth hook that feels like a throwback to his early 2010s glory days, but with a modern twist that fits the album’s vibe perfectly.
Meanwhile, Joyner’s bars hit like a declaration. He’s giving people a reason to hate him while staying loyal to his roots and owning his underdog status.
“Denzel (Skit)” signals a mood shift. The actor challenges Joyner to find balance. To find the light. “White Noise” answers that call, showcasing Joyner’s versatility with a catchy, radio-friendly sound. The song was released as a single with a music video:
It’s a song I didn’t expect to hear, but it works. It’s dynamic, original, and has its unique vibe and message. While it may not resonate with every true hip-hop head, showing this kind of range is essential for any artist who wants to thrive in today’s music landscape.
Exploring New Sounds & Styles
“Butterfly Effect” is a melodic switch-up. It’s light, vibey, and almost unrecognizable as a Joyner track. It shows artistic growth and a genuine attempt to tap into the light Denzel Washington challenged him to find.
“Anxiety Wins” didn’t land on the first listen, but it grew on me. The production mimics a panic attack; rising tension, a drop into stillness, and then creeping anxiety. With blackbear’s contribution, it becomes one of the most emotionally intelligent tracks Joyner has released.
It represents that despite trying to find light, anxiety always wins in his world. It’s a hell of a thing, something people who don’t experience it will never truly understand. Ironically, despite his ADHD, Joyner is incredibly good at noticing the small details others often overlook. This entire song is him reflecting, showing how anxiety builds, calms, then takes control again. It’s actually a phenomenal track.
“New Sofas” brings Ty Dolla $ign in for a breezy moment. It doesn’t push the story forward, but it’s catchy and provides a breather.
A Ruthless Back End
“Therapy Check Up (Skit)” shifts us back into darkness, setting up “Active” with Big Sean. Joyner raps about being poisoned by therapists and throws a few shots. Big Sean flows flawlessly off Joyner’s verse, then Joyner picks it back up before the simple chorus.
The beat switch is nasty, and Joyner completely destroys the end of the track. It’s a standout track for anyone who loves bars from two of the best in the game right now. Easily one of the album’s best.
“Time Is Money” with DaBaby, Fireboy DML, and J Balvin has international flair and club appeal. It’s a victory lap. At this point, Joyner is done proving himself.
“Listen to My Demo” brings the hunger back. The bars are tight, the story sharper than ever. The kid from the intro now has a mic and a message. This track blends raw ambition with perspective, giving fans a taste of old-school Joyner energy with new-school polish.
Joyner is in a league of his own when it comes to storytelling. The way he builds tension, focuses in, and delivers a twist or breakthrough at the end is something else. The song reflects every phase the album goes through and shows his growth. Not just as a rapper, but as a person. It’s proof that everything comes full circle.
He closes with “Momma” featuring Chris Brown. It didn’t stand out at first, but with context and the story in mind, I get it. Joyner ties everything together with this song. He’s an adult now, reflecting and hoping he made his mother proud. He shares that he may have been reckless or heartless at times, but sometimes the medications that come with ADHD really shift how someone experiences the world.
ADHD 2 is An Underrated Masterclass
In a genre chasing virality and quick hits, ADHD 2 dares to take its time. It’s cohesive, smart, and emotional without being self-indulgent. It reflects Joyner Lucas at his best; raw, detailed, and fully in control of his craft.
He doesn’t need co-signs. Trends aren’t chased. He tells his story, and it’s relatable.
At the end of the day, Joyner is one of the best emcees of his generation. He’s top 5 of this era, and you’d be stupid not to include him on your list. Beyond the bars, flows, and storytelling, what truly sets him apart is how carefully he crafts each song, never compromising his bars to tell the story. He is surgical with every line and every detail.
At a time when so much feels disposable, Joyner reminds us why real artistry matters. ADHD 2 isn’t just an album. It’s a milestone and hopefully a step toward a return to substance behind putting together an album that is consistent.
Let us know your favorite track on the album in the comments below:
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