God Will'n

God Will'n
Mixtape by Juelz Santana
Released	January 14, 2013
Recorded	2009–2012
Genre	Hip hop
Length	65:30
Label	Skull Gang
Producer	Automatik Beatz, Buda Da Future, Dr. Freak, Freak, The Futuristiks, Gnyus, Jahlil Beats, Jokey, Kino Beats, Non Stop, Prime, Ronnie, Sha Money XL, Ty Real, Young Shun Beats
Juelz Santana chronology
The Takeover (2008) God Will'n (2013) All We Got Is Us (2013)
Singles from God Will'n
"Bodies" Released: November 27, 2012 "Soft" Released: January 8, 2013

God Will'n is the seventh mixtape by American rapper Juelz Santana, it was released on January 14, 2013.^[1][2] The mixtape is Juelz Santana's first solo project since 2005. The mixtape features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Lloyd Banks, Future, Jeremih, Jim Jones, Wale and Bounce. With production coming from Sha Money XL and Jahlil Beats, among others.^[3]

Background

On November 10, 2012, Juelz Santana announced he would be changing the title of his mixtape from The Reagan Era to God Will'n.^[4] On December 7, 2012, he revealed during an interview with MTV that he changed the title to God Will'n, because he felt The Reagan Era was dated especially after Kendrick Lamar used a similar title for a song.^[5] On December 21, 2012, he released the cover and announced after numerous delays that the mixtape would be released on January 14, 2013.^[6]

On January 7, 2013, during an interview with The Village Voice, Juelz Santana said that he had already finished another mixtape to be released following God Will'n that sees him rapping over other artists' beats, saying:

"I'm gonna treat the situations like I'm a new artist. I'm just hungry again, God Will'n is just gonna be the start of a new chapter. I got a new label situation called Anything's Possible. But it's still Dipset, Skull Gang. I'm still on Def Jam. I already got the second mixtape done after God Will'n where I'll be rapping over other people's beats but we're just going to talk about God Will'n for now. I'm just happy to be back in business. I want to enjoy working and go hard and be where I need to be. Right where some of these niggas ain't supposed to be. I'm still lookin better than a lot of niggas who just dropped albums though. They looking lost out here. It's time to follow the leader again."^[7]

On January 11, 2013, during an interview with Vibe, Juelz Santana said that he had a very personal song on the mixtape titled "My Will", saying: "I have one song that’s definitely a crazy topic on my mixtape. It’s called “My Will.” And, it’s really me writing out my living will. It’s not really about my last days, but it’s like ‘What would happen if I die tonight. A lot young people don’t think like that because we out here living reckless, doing what we do, but we don’t think about what would happen if we pass away. "It was just the thoughts that came into my head… those ‘Where would this go? Who would get that? How would this go down?’ I was just trying to get it all out. This song is for the fans that loved my “Who Am I” type of songs. “My Will” is going to be their favorite."^[8]

Singles

On January 18, 2010, the first song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Home Run" featuring Lil Wayne.^[9] The music video for "Home Run" featuring Lil Wayne was released on February 4, 2011.^[10] On November 27, 2012, the second song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Bodies" featuring Lil Reese.^[11] The music video for "Bodies" was released on January 14, 2013.^[12] On January 8, 2013, the third song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Soft" featuring Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Fabolous.^[13] On January 9, 2013, the fourth song was released in promotion of the mixtape titled "Sho Nuff".^[14] On January 28, 2013, the music video for "Nobody Knows" featuring Future was released.^[15] On February 13, 2013, the music video for "Awesome" featuring Wale was released.^[16] On February 18, 2013, the music video was released for "Everything Is Good" featuring Wiz Khalifa and Bucksy Luciano.^[17]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
BET	[18]
XXL	(L)[19]

God Will'n was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. Dan Reagans of BET gave the mixtape three out of five stars, saying "Ultimately it will be up to fans to determine if God Will’n is enough of a peace offering to make up for the frustrating inconsistency they've been through with the Harlem MC. No matter how one might be leaning at the moment this project does have enough solid moments to make it a worthy appetizer for his oft delayed LP".^[18] Ralph Bristout of XXL gave the mixtape an L, saying "All in all, God Will’n exhibits everything that a Dipset diehard expects from the Uptown rhymester, but that can also be bittersweet. Although it’s clear that he hasn’t lost a step, Juelz doesn’t offer anything new or refreshing to the table. Not that such a thing is always expected from a “comeback” project, but there are times during this ’tape where the money, cash and “I’m flyer than…” subject matter become stale. Even the punchlines, don’t pack the same thump as prior. There’s several points where he’ll finish these lines with “get it,” and you could’ve already deciphered the “joke.” “Another day another blessing, pockets fat, life’s Precious/Get it, pockets fat life’s Precious,” Santana spews on “My Will.” Regardless though, God Will’n finds Juelz swiftly picking up where he left off and delivering a well-rounded comeback effort in the process. “Santana’s back in business, now let’s get reacquainted”.^[19]

Edwin Ortiz of HipHopDX gave the mixtape a positive review, saying "With a guest seemingly around every corner, the task at hand for God Will’n becomes Juelz Santana’s ability to balance their presence with his plan. Co-pilots such as Wiz Khalifa (“Everything Is Good”) and Lloyd Banks (“Turn It Up”) bring a crucial dynamic to the equation, while the collection of artists on “Soft” efficiently feed off each other over an otherwise paltry beat. However, the same can’t be said for tracks like “Both Sides” and “Black Out.” On the latter record, Juelz offers up an impressive performance (“She said bands make her dance, I’m beating drums and blowing horns”), but that is quickly erased with Lil Wayne’s horrendous hook and sluggish vocals. His collaboration with Wale doesn’t fare any better, with meager lines from both parties bringing the song to a creative halt. The best way to describe Juelz Santana on God Will’n is that he exerts less energy and still scores the same favorable results throughout the mixtape. It’s tough to gauge if he has grown wiser or it’s just his frame of mind at the moment, but regardless, Juelz succeeds with his latest project".^[20]

On December 24, 2013, XXL named it the ninth best mixtape of the year, saying "Santana pulls no punches, gives no fucks, cares not at all about his standing in the rap game compared to a decade ago. [...] It was an addictive project, and one that didn’t get old fast."^[21]

Track listing

References