Jerreau’s ‘Never How You Plan’ is Filled With Honesty, Introspect and Reflection

There was no announcement, no lengthy Twitter or Instagram posts, and no big production made about it, but not too long after the release of their 2014 project, Small Victories, it started to seem as if Jerreau, Jay Swifa, and Iyeball, collectively known as Fly.Union, had disbanded. This left many in a state of confusion, as the Columbus trio had finally appeared to be gaining traction, having worked with some of our favorite artists — like Kendrick Lamar and Dom Kennedy — and even having their music featured on MTV. Not to mention their relationship with some basketball player named LeBron James. There were many questions. Some I overheard. Some I was asked directly. “Did Fly.Union break up?” or “How come we only see Jerreau and Jay Swifa together, now? Did they kick Iyeball out?” It was like that line from the Kanye West song when he said, “What’s up with you and Jay, man/Are y’all okay, man?”

Fast forward to early 2016.

Just like Hov, Jerreau — who now resides in L.A. — popped up out of nowhere with his own, “I got it from here, Ye, damn” and announced his solo effort, titled Never How You Plan.

Photo: 335mm

Nowadays, it’s rare for me to hear a song or album where I feel like I’m actually connected with the artist. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the stuff that’s out here, but I can’t say I connect to most of it. I just play it, and keep it moving. This changed for me on April 8th, 2016 after copping Never How You Plan on iTunes (As you should. Shame on you, if you’re asking people for links. It’s only $8, fam).

There might not be a more flawless intro to an album, than the aptly titled “Persevere”, which sees Jerreau offering an update on where he’s been and what he’s been up to, as well as a verse that opens up with an ode to where he’s from. “Born and raised in Columbus/A product of the south side/800 South Champion/That’s where I learned not to die”. After getting that out of the way, Jerreau moves on with the highly energetic, horn-heavy “Really Got It”, which is one of many songs on the project that makes your aura feel like it’s on a million when you play it.

Jerreau’s relocation to Los Angeles would be addressed on both “Make a Play” and “Love for You 2”. While both songs touch on same topic, the polarity is visible. On “Make a Play”, Jerreau expresses a sense of urgency and desire to do exactly what the title suggests. The changes Jerreau has made are necessary ones, and he wants the people he left behind to know it, but after listening to “Love For You 2”, it becomes clear that he wonders whether or not the people back home understand, or even support the new place he is in. “I left the city/You think they forgot about me? /you think they know that I had to leave?” He then continues with, “You think they rootin’ for me? /you think they checkin’ for me?” The uncertainty is there, but the regret isn’t. Jerreau is trying to level up and it’s go time.

Photo: 335mm

Most know Jerreau as quite the ladies man, so of course Never How You Plan features a few joints that are perfect for calling over shorty you just pulled at the rooftop party, last weekend. There’s “All Night”, “Got You”, and most notably the Lolah Brown-assisted “Come Over”, which channels the late Aaliyah’s song of the same name. He disagrees, but I still contend that you can’t play these songs around just any chick. If she’s not wavy, she won’t appreciate this.

By his own admission, Jerreau doesn’t always get it right with the women, though. “The Flow (Four Stories)”, which is my favorite song on the album, details the importance of keeping things organic with the opposite sex, as opposed to forcing the issue. However, in most cases, one of the parties involved does a little too much, and makes things weird as a result. “The Flow” is my love life in a nutshell, bro. When a chick asks me what I want, or what I’m looking for, I link her to this song. I’ve lived or am currently living every line he spits on this one. A slightly different tune can be heard on “Looking for Something”, where Jerreau vocalizes the regret of a failed relationship, but has learned to embrace the distance that has resulted. “It’s not what it was/Today’s hate is yesterday’s love”, he raps.

The confusion hasn’t completely gone away, but with the majority of Never How You Plan’s production credits belonging to Jay Swifa and Iyeball, there should be a sense of relief. Maybe Fly.Union is still A1, after all. Maybe we’ll get another project, one of these days. But for now, let’s soak this album in, as it is one of the best to impact us so far, this year. If you don’t hear this and want to pop a bottle, vibe out with a babe, get after whatever you’ve been procrastinating about or simply reflect, you’ve done it wrong.