1. World Of Giants
We start the album in a very strange way. It's a slow piano beat, and YC is actually singing very well. He is talking about metaphorically stepping into a world of giants, which is not an all too complex metaphor to grasp. This only lasts for a little over a minute, and while it is not explicitly stated, this serves as a very good intro into the album.
2. The Pacs
The song starts off with an epic beat and a Tupac quote from the song, "Changes". You instantly notice the flow and word play of YC as being very good. This song is very lyrical, and even goes a bit over my head. What I interpret is that change is coming to get everyone who is not expecting it, and both verses end with, "if you think you're early, it probably means you're too late." The hook is very eerie and mysterious which adds to the whole dynamic of the song. And the quote near the end, also from Pac, about changing the world wraps the whole song together very nicely, and the tone is set for the album. The last verse with the different audio quality is very cool and just as good as the first two. Good shit.
3. Hvnly
Starts off with a western saloon type of feel, and YC is introduced with some light piano. He instantly comes in with the same great flow with that he brought to the last track. This song is very lyrical, and once again, takes more than a few listens to understand. He talks about getting out of the Bronx and coming back to help after he has made it. YC goes on to say that everyone is better than selling drugs, and living in the streets. We are all children of God, and more than just people. It is a cool message, but aside from the theme, what you have to take away from this is how he dominates the entire instrumental. The way he is flowing is seemingly easy, which is ridiculous. Great wordplay and lyricism. The end of the song is a skit, which some of you may have seen on YouTube. I really hope that's fake.
4. God Complex
This is a very bold song coming from YC, who doesn't have much of a fan base, by no fault of his own of course, but still very bold. He is boasting in a way that he compares himself to a God-like figure. It may seem ambitious coming from an underground rapper, but he pulls it off to say the least. He is basically singing over the beat, not belting it out like in "World Of Giants", but flowing in a very melodic way. He is essentially referring to himself as an all mighty entity on earth. This is a great boasting record because of how original it is. He isn't bragging about his money, but more so saying that every man in the world should follow him. Interesting approach, and well preformed. The song ends with a skit about referring to the n-word as more of a term of endearment.
5. Murphy's Law
This beat is much more intense than the last couple, and gives the track an epic tone. YC comes in so deep and monotonous that it seems eerie. After settling in, YC makes this shit his bitch, forcing it get him a sandwich while he's at it. He has a really cool play on his DNA coming from an atom of Adam, and children fishing for atom bombs. He continues the same topic of coming from an atom until the last line which leads into a very odd hook. The first verse was so complex, and then the hook seemed kind of like a throwaway, with no meaning really. It was catchy enough, but didn't have very much meaning at all. The second verse starts with a long sample from, "Notorious Thugs", and then he lays another very intelligent verse about the evolution of man. The third verse has another Biggie sample that works just as well as the first.. The line about not having the GUTS to climb the Agro Crag was mind blowing. If you don't get the reference I'm sorry. I'm almost baffled at how much was said in this track, and I could ramble on about each individual line for days. This is really a must listen if you even want to begin to understand what I'm talking about. The end is somewhat of a skit I guess, with YC simply repeating the same two lines. I guess that was fun.
6. Molotovs At Poseidon
This song may be the best rap song I have heard in the past year. The flow and wordplay out does every other incredible display that has been on this album thus far. The first verse is something that I could imagine any legend spitting. When he says that he's practicing benevolence it gets so insane that you have to rewind a time or two to even hear every word. The line in the second verse that says, " Science wouldn't give a flying fuck about your flying fuckery." Might just be the coolest thing I've ever heard. The concept alone that coming at YC is similar to throwing Molotovs at Poseidon (I'd imagine fire wouldn't have much of an effect on the god of the sea) is just straight dope. Every word in this song is strategically placed to improve the flow of the verses and it drives me nuts. While simple, the hook ends up holding more meaning than you think. You realize that you don't know what you are fucking with. This kid from the Bronx is tearing a track apart and you don't even know his name. It is almost as if YC did personal research on me, and knew that the only thing that would make me love this song more, was a tribute to a Tribe Called Quest. Like I said, I haven't heard a song this good in a very long time, and I really love what YC was going for on the track, and luckily he was able to execute to perfection. The skit at the end is the infamous spelling bee incident that we've all seen involving the word, " Negus."
7. Negus
If I'm correct, I think I'm allowed to say that. The hook of this song is simply replacing the n-word with "negus". If you know the context of the song, it is clever, but to a bystander, this may seem like an extremely generic song. The verses are good, and as on every track, the flow and lyricism was stellar, but ultimately average in comparison to the last couple of songs. The lyrics are very socially and religiously aware, and still manage to carry a lot of meaning. So saying this song was a slight step down is in no way an insult, there was just no more going up for YC. Still a good track.
8. Know It Alls
This is a very good track. It is short, but offers a good point in just over two minutes. It is saying that this generation is only concerned with getting money and thinking they are too smart for help in religion or to learn about life. I have a lot of similar feelings to this song and I love that he is calling out this group of people. He acknowledges that he never went to college, but he is open to learning about life, unlike people who deny this because they flat out think they know everything. The message is one that we should all listen to and actually take in. We end the song with another sound byte from the youth group add YouTube video.
9. The Heaviest Cross
If anyone has ever felt that they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders (most people ever) then you will find this song very relate-able. It is talking about how everyone has a metaphoric cross to bare. For some reason in the hook he feels the need to include that even he has a cross to bare, which seems redundant given the topic. The verses are the real highlight of this song. The first of which is talking about he has to deal with getting harsh critical reviews, when all he wants to do is make people more aware of the world. The second told a good story of how he dropped out of school to become a rapper, as his mother was struggling to support the family,. He feels he may be the only chance his mother has at making it in life. Very touching track, and I have no complaints.
10. The N Word
another topic that many people will be able to relate to. He is saying that this word holds way too much power, and that a lot of African Americans are too proud and get offended by the word. The hook is very catchy, and stands out among the best on the album. He is talking about rallies and protest when all he wants is peace and quiet. My favorite part of the song is the end of the second verse in which he says the word only has power if we let it, and that he will not let a term define him. He goes on to say that this should be the thought of everyone, but there is always the one person who wants to react dramatically. It is a very socially aware topic, much like the other tracks, and he manages to work it perfectly without coming off as offensive.
11.Pwrtrp
I don't know why the song is spelled like that, but it is, so deal with it. YC obviously knows something that we don't. He talks about how he is the, or will be the king, and he is power tripping. This is a good, but not great track, and ultimate nothing really stands out to me. Not to say it is a bad track, but it is more boasting, and calling himself a king/God-like figure, and while he does it well, it is no better than the other tracks with similar themes.
12. Being God
This is a soothing song, and YC's voice is pitched down a couple of octaves. I really enjoy the the fact that you don't have to purchase this album, but he just wants you to enjoy and understand it, and spread the word of YC The Cynic. C'mon, who the fuck else is doing that. The part of the hook about him being able to survive a beheading I enjoy thoroughly. The singing is decent, and it saying that his word will live on through his death, which are strong words from someone like YC. He also claims to be one step away from being God, which you should be used to at this point. That's still kind of a big deal.
Rating: 4/5
This shit is a throwback album. I haven't heard so much boasting on a record in a long time. And I don't mean the kind of bull shit boasting like on Magna Carta, but saying shit about yourself that no one else would ever consider. A large portion is referring to himself as a God-like entity. This an interesting project, that really grabbed my attention from the beginning. I would have to say after about my tenth listen I am going to call this my album of the year. It is so great in so many ways, and caught me completely off guard. Hopefully YC will make it big, and if I can contribute in any way by getting his name out there, I would love to do so. He deserves your recognition. Superb album that deserves your money; I strongly urge a purchase off Amazon or Itunes, but do what you must to get this shit into your library. It's dope as fuck. I have to say that this album may not have a single radio hit, but I cannot see any fan of hip-hop not liking this. Once again, do anything to get your hands on this album, spread the word, and support a real artist.