{REVIEW} "Once Upon a Time": Jay Worthy’s Most Complete Work Yet

I’ve been following Jay Worthy for a while now, and Once Upon a Time might be the most complete and intentional project he’s dropped so far. This album isn’t just a playlist of good songs. It’s a fully curated experience that shows just how far he’s come, both in sound and vision. It’s got all the West Coast elements we know him for, but now they feel more polished, more grown.

Worthy isn’t just rapping on this one. He’s orchestrating. He put his A and R hat on heavy and came out with a cohesive body of work that plays like a movie. From the production to the features to the sequencing, this is a project that feels built, not just recorded.

The Sound and The Vision

Jay Worthy’s signature sound is still alive in the mix, full of heavy instruments and funk undercurrents that sit right on top of that classic West Coast rhythm. But the maturity is what stood out this time. There’s a calm confidence in how the music moves. He’s no longer just rapping about the lifestyle. He’s reflecting on it, arranging it, and elevating it.

His storytelling’s grown too. The opener “96 Big Body” is a day-in-the-life joint that puts you right there in the passenger seat of a stock Impala, riding around LA. It’s vivid, detailed, and lowkey cinematic. Worthy paints pictures better than ever now, and it sets the tone for what’s to come.

And let’s talk about how he puts people together. Jay Worthy is quietly one of the best collaborators in the game. On one project, he brings Kamaiyah on the hook, then gets E-40, Wiz Khalifa and Jim Jones on the same track. He’s got Conway and Boldy in the mix, then pulls Ty Dolla $ign into a whole different pocket. It all sounds natural, like these songs were built in the same room, not passed around through emails.

On the production side, it’s nothing but masters of the craft. Hit-Boy, the Alchemist, Conductor Williams, Cardo. Worthy has always had great taste in beats, but this time the chemistry is just undeniable.

Highlights and Heavy Rotation

There are a few songs I keep running back that show just how wide this album stretches. “Open Minded” with Leven Kali is a standout. It gives that late 90s to early 2000s crossover energy with a fresh twist. It’s one of those records you play at the R and B Nights or when you’re setting the tone for a smooth, uptempo night out.

Then there’s “Tides” with Aaradhna. Let’s be real, this is really her song. Worthy just floats on it. The vibe is pure elegance. It’s soulful, fluid and heartfelt. It’s the kind of R and B that feels like therapy with a splash of intentional bars. That record is the definition of sounds like water.

“True Story” with Ty Dolla $ign holds its weight too. It’s a vibe that leans into emotion without ever losing its cool. That one’s built for late-night drives or dimly lit lounges.

And from “Dark Tints” through to the end of Disc One, that stretch is magic. The tempo slows, the bars get more intricate, and the records feel even more intentional. That whole sequence closes the album out in a way that lets the message linger.

Two Sides, Same Author

While this review focuses on Disc One, we can’t act like Disc Two didn’t bring heat. That Ice-T feature alone is worth a whole conversation. That track sounds like vintage LA gangster rap, and Worthy even hit an old-school flow to match. It’s a different flavor than Disc One but still very much in the same kitchen.

Disc One feels like the player tape. It’s smoother, more diverse in sound and touch. Disc Two leans into the gangsta roots and legacy West Coast energy. The features reflect that too, with names like Bun B, Mack 10, Terrace Martin and George Clinton popping up to remind you that Worthy has both range and real relationships.

It still blows my mind that no label has tapped Jay Worthy for an official A and R position. The man knows how to create timeless collaborations and wrap them in timeless sounds. That’s a rare skill, and this project proves it over and over.

Jay Worthy has always had the style. Now he’s got the polish and perspective to go with it. And if Once Upon a Time is any sign of where he’s headed, the story is only getting better.