is titled after Ignatius Maurice Jackson, aka and , ' beloved friend and manager who died from colon cancer in 2017. hit the Top Ten that December with , a horror-themed set that was in the works the previous year, so this is the raspy half's true response to the loss. factored into his partner's output on A&R and executive production levels. made this fifth solo album as if was overseeing it, from beat selection to choices for featured artists, and also pays much lyrical tribute to cope with the tragedy. The LP begins with the regal boom bap of "Pearly Gates," in which directly addresses and assures , and quotes the Book of Ephesians as his voice almost cracks, yet he still drops wisdom and cutting witticisms like "Ain't no benefits when you part-time" and "They couldn't box us, so they fenced us in." From that strong start through the mournful "Closure" -- name-checking recently deceased family, friends, and peers -- he sounds similarly humbled and sharpened at once. isn't strictly about reflection, though. There's some lethal, laser-focused ferocity in the collaboration "Huntin Season," grade-A boasts and signature cackles over looped in "Me," and streetwise sermonizing in "Gov't Cheese." And who's that singing the smooth hook on "Keep It 100," one of several tracks with one-on-one relationship talk? That would be -- who also croons on "Angels Getting Pedicured" in a more recognizable manner -- still advancing as an artist, almost two decades after he released his solo debut bearing a co-executive production credit for . ~ Andy Kellman