There was nothing extraordinary about the day. It was just another drive to work in the morning listening to The Breakfast Club. There was nothing extraordinary about the guest of the day, Saint Jhn. That was the case until he spoke of his time at a writing camp orchestrated by Rihanna’s camp.

The name drop itself was enough for anyone to peak interest. But it wasn’t the people he mentioned at the camp or the humbly hilarious story of his interaction with the super star. It was his failure that drew me in.

None of his songs made it on Rihanna’s album. But he didn’t take it as a loss. He said it was a blessing to be considered in the first place. To him, he made it. He found his place is among the stars yet, still is devoted to his “ignorance.”

The album opens with “Wedding Day.” The song details a conversation with a significant other about love and what it means to love while there is fame involved. He lets her know, “Girl we can’t ever get divorced if I marry you.” He explains that with the life he’s lived, his persona varies. While meant for her, the song is also an explanation of his truest self. He is still himself even if he was able to “touch a quarter mill’” or “[pay his] mama house off.” The song is an introduction to the expected lifestyle and his only explanation is that his “wifey” must have the ability to adapt.

While his partner must adapt, Saint Jhn is goal driven in his song featuring Meek Mill, “Anything Can Happen.” The pair describe the fame they have attained while knowing the importance of staying cautious. The drums in the song make it an anthem as Jhn sings of his new found wealth, boasting about foreign cars that were once foreign ideas and the need to live a “legendary life.” It’s a transition into a life that “kept [him] up at night.” Now, that he’s made it he recognizes his own “sacrifice” and the need to keep the “boomy” on him for those who would take advantage of his dream. Meek cosigns everything said by Jhn, making sure to emphasize the glamor of “jets,” “diamonds,” and foreign cars. Meek mentions that with this “legendary life” he feels like “royalty.” In the end all he can ever ask from anyone is “loyalty” because close by there are “niggas that’s jealous” of the life both artists live. 

If you ask Saint John, he would say that “Trap” is “anthemic.” The song has an energy that matches the reminiscent lyrics of both Jhn and Lil Baby. Baby’s verse features the story of switching his life to that of a rap artist. The people around him ask, “what happened?” But his response to the question is his “million dollar ride” and the need chase “the money.” He realized that if he’s feeling something in his “heart,” he’ll “put it on a beat.” Jhn echoes Baby’s verse by stating clearly that he started from the bottom or, as he calls it, “the mat.” His only love before music was the “trap.” It’s what fed him and fed his ambition. The woman he mentions is someone that feeds into his previous life as he tries to place the importance on not forgetting the new “life” he’s built. He reiterates the honesty within himself and his music while expressing that if his love is shared, it must be returned forever. The song pays homage to a life lived and places the importance of growth and maintenance. 

If there was a line that encompasses who Saint Jhn is, it would be “This Ghetto Lenny but they treat me like I’m Michael Bolton.” Saint John is a singer of a different bread and embraces who he is. In the case of “5 Thousand Singles,” he’s the man with money in a strip club. In the club he pursues a dancer after dissecting her interactions with patrons of the club. He shows her the good qualities in him while she “falls in the vibe.” He makes it clear that the one night is for one night, he’s “nobody hero” and “ain’t ready for a Willow.” Saint Jhn deeply understands who he is, what he presents, and his end goal.

“Who Do You Blame” is an ode to the woman he has a relationship with but is not in a relationship with. He speaks on how after entering her life she is “levelin’ up.” She isn’t accustomed to his lifestyle and often gets “too live” or “fucked up.” On his part, “he’s single” and “faithful” at the same time. He’s brought her into his life, and though single, makes it clear that he is hers. He slightly flexes his status by saying, “I’m signed to my label.” This signifies his independence from both business and woman, but make no mistake, she is as much a “queen” to his “pharaoh.” Even with “timbs’ on” and “ghetto,” he has chosen her to be apart of him. And if he had to “choose,” it’s her every time. 

“94 Bently” is odd in that it only features one verse in-between a pre-chrous, a chorus, and an outro. The simplicity in design of the song is what makes the song personal. Jhn’s line, “Brooklyn nigga, ridin’ low in the Chevy” is the picture listeners get of the artists life as a kid. The verse lends to this as it mentions family members and favorite foods from his childhood. The “94 Bently” in the song is the “chevy” but to him, back then, it was the standout of the neighborhood that bred him. He is a product of his neighborhood and makes sure to remember that feeling of greatness he experienced. It must have set the tone for his life because even back then he had the “whole block, whole gang prayin’, [he delivers.” As a kid, everyone knew he was special and he knew then that he was “a fucking star.”

Reality sets in during “I Can Fvcking Tell.” The “high life” is worn off in the relationship just as the honeymoon phase has. It’s not about the “fairy tale” any more, it has become real. Jhn realizes that the future for the couple isn’t bright as he “don’t believe in the wedding bells” and doesn’t believe in the relationship. When everything settles, Jhn contemplates what to do as he comes to term with the woman he’s known actually suffers from depression and doesn’t want an “antidote.” Their relationship has gone through “hell” but she still loves him and she’s constantly on his mind. By the end, he realizes that he cannot give her what she wants and he must let her “sail.”

Saint Jhn met Lenny Kravitz in Paris during fashion week. Kravitz had heard the song already because upon completion Jhn said it would be dope if they got Lenny to feature on it. A pipe dream that became reality. Someone sent Lenny the song and he agreed upon the feature but only if it was genuine. At 3am, “Borders” was started by the pair. Jhn’s verse paints a picture of the reached dream and how he’s been able to provide for the people around him. Kravitz’ verse details coming back from a difficult point in a relationship. Both Lenny’s express that for a relationship to work, there needs to be a point where there are no walls between the two. 

“Call Me After This” is for the girl after the breakup. The two are still connected to each other by “memory” and on Saint Jhn’s part, his heart is “always open” to her. The first verse is in remembrance of their “blessed” time together. The second verse is about the moment of introduction and the idea that they could be “anything” to each other. In their current situation, it’s all about the occasional link up that always leads to the “bed.”

Through their link ups, Saint Jhn breaks down exactly what she wants in “Trophies.” The woman wants a man that gives her status. She wants a “trophy” man and desires to be a “trophy” woman. She wants a man to make her “feel pretty.” The song is for “Ashley,” who Jhn knows is better than the “losers” she dates. Jhn acknowledges that he could be the one for her but in the end he “fucked it all up.” He could never be the man she wants. 

This fact remains true as the album flows into into “All I Want Is a Yacht.” The song embraces Jhn’s innermost thoughts. Listeners listen to his admittance of being “selfish” and how he prefers “bad bitches'' but still expects a “bad bitch to cook” when he gets home. The song lays out his ambitions, whether it be at the club standing on the “couch,” a “coupe,” or a “yacht.” The song flexes his rapping skills to display his versatility. The song makes it clear what his intentions are. He wants to make money and live the lifestyle to make up for “all the days they didn’t allow us.” It is also a warning to anyone who would try to take away his “power.” He worked too hard to get to his level and won’t let anyone who is “jealous” or even a woman take it away from him.

“Monica Lewinsky” takes Jhn to a place that feeds into his single lifestyle. In this case, his Monica Lewinsky is someone he’s hurt before but can’t keep him out of her life. For him, he buys her luxury brands to “make up for lost time.” He doesn’t want to think about the “life” they could have had. He feels that getting attached or looking back would only lead him backwards and away from his ultimate goal of success. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie hops on the track for the second verse where he explains to his love interest all the reasons they should stay together. He asks her to remember the good times in the relationship and to move past everything he “did in the dark.” He tries to make up with her by trying to “do [her] right now.” Both men display toxic emotions as they have an inability to let go of their relationships, but the women in their lives return to them every time. 

Ambition aside, “High School Reunion'' puts the artists fears fully on display. He is scared of being hurt, tired of hurting the women in his life, and afraid of being alone. Jhn admits to his wrong doings but refuses to live in the past. There’s only forward in his life but he clings to familiar feelings when it comes to this one woman. Except, she’s moved on from her feelings of love. Jhn senses the newly formed “walls'' between the two and this is what keeps him up at night. At the end of their meeting, Jhn leaves with his “feelings mixed up” as the person he thought he always had as a “lifeline” has let him go.

Jhn turns to acceptance in “Cult4Ever” as he begins to believe in the idea of a relationship and even marriage. He explains to his partner that she “don’t gotta be the one that got away.” He visualizes their life living luxuriously together. Jhn experiences a newfound sense of trust as he is able to have his money outside of “the safe” around her.  He expresses that his love is permanent as he has acquired the ability to express his emotions to her. In accepting his feelings, he has come to understand he doesn’t need “nobody else.”

Jhn has expressed before that the album is a concept of what would happen if he married a stripper. Simple and complex all in one. What listeners are treated to are the innermost workings of his mind. We hear of someone who fears commitment as much as we hear of someone who is confident in themselves. This album is all about understanding.

Whether it’s the women, or the life, or the success, or himself, Saint Jhn has displayed a wide range of understanding in who he is and who he wants to be. He is Ghetto Lenny, a man who represents multiple pieces of his own reality.