ALBUM REVIEW: “Born in the Hood, Raised in the Church” by Jarred Allstar & Parry Illest

Randy Bazile
Jul 20, 2025
3 min read

The long-awaited collaboration album between rapper Jarred Allstar and producer Parry Illest has finally arrived. Judging by the album artwork, this album is going to be a movie!

Check your watch, it’s time to jump right into it!

CONCEPT

As the title of the album suggests, it chronicles the life of an individual who was born in the hood but raised in the church. Over gritty & jazzy production by Parry, Jarred invites us on a journey of a man who was brought up in light and darkness.

The album covers themes of redemption, hope, and growth through lyrical wordplay and storytelling that’ll keep you wanting more. Backed up with features from C4 Crotona, Rocka MrEverything, and Lady Davina, the message of the album stands strong.

PRODUCTION

Mostly handled by super producer Parry Illest. He takes us from head-nodding East Coast boom bap beats to churchy melodies and jazzy ensembles. Each song ends with a short beat change-up, serving as an interlude into the next track.

It’s a genius way to transition into the next song. It allows the listener to let the content of each song sink in before transitioning to the next one. The only song to have a beat change up with lyrics is Crash Out.

From an aggressive beat about an individual “crashing out” along with an aggressive flow to a mellow buttery smooth flow. Because of the deep message of the song, it made sense for Jarred to rap bars of hope over a smoother beat.

Some were triggered by the crash I apologize I realize there’s more hit and runs than drive-bys Tried to dance through the pain with tight eyes Sister, mother, brother, father, cousin those our life lines This type of death brings phobias but we stay driven Thinking of the dead dying with the living Tell em God can forgive em long as I’m alive Many who cross the street don’t see the other side

The production adds a 2000s cinematic feel to the album. It’s like a visual movie.

LYRICS

Jarred is a lyrical master. He paints vivid images with his words, flow, and delivery. Jarred rides the beat like a subway train on the tracks.

My favorite bars from Jarred are wrestling references! If “say I’m a wrestling fan without saying I’m a wrestling fan” were a person, it would be Jarred. I’ll share a few examples:

I knew Heartbreak kid and I loved Shawn Micheals This is sweet chin music super kick my idols

- Grace & Mercy

In my Fathers house are many mansions If it wasn’t so Christ would’ve told us I use to be a man of many passions Stated feeling myself looking like I’m Goldust

- My Father's House

Lyrics rapped & sung also get the mind thinking and the heart sinking. Here are a few that stuck out to me:

In My Father’s House are many mansions I used to think the goal was living in the hamptons

- My Father's House

I heard dearly beloved more than congratulations Attended more funerals than any graduations Growing up they use to tell us we should pray for patience It comes with tribulations some became the patients Everyone has a struggle but I got reason to doubt Christians lifting the hustle tell me what’s thats about Teachers asked us what we want to be we’d all shout I said a magician I wanted to make it out

- Just Dirt

FINAL THOUGHTS

What a ride! It was cinematic. The album started with a what the message and goal was in The Assignment and ended with the destination in the beautiful conclusion Well Done.

“Born In the Hood Raised In the Church” was sequenced well to tell the story of a man in the circumstances of the title of the album. Listening between the lines, they are inspired by Jarred’s own life and the life of the featured artists.

Jarred Allstar & Parry Illest created a masterpiece with this one. This can be a soundtrack to a movie!