YC The Cynic

I love the way YC The Cynic puts words together, the way he uses his phrasing to slowly build a 3D image, layer after layer until you have this towering feat of architectural engineering.

It seems to defy gravity.

I often picture his rhymes like a game of Tetris. Perfect geometrical pieces falling into place and building at a fevered pace, you are wondering how much longer you can sustain and keep up, then that perfect fucking column drops bringing it all together and getting you max points. I get giddy when I hear this asshole’s rhyme schemes.

It's quite impressive.

With GNK, YC The Cynic enters the conversation with the likes of Homeboy Sandman, Earl, and Milo as the most promising up-and-comers. GNK is his submission for entry to this rarefied club and if I have to say, the kid is in. shit, Molotovs At Poseidon alone landed him in the club. It is arguably the best hip hop song of 2013 and GNK is in the conversation for album of the year. At the very least it’s definitely in the top 10.

GNK is kind of conceptual I guess, building around the God, Nigga, King concept from both a sociological and psychological perspective. A mix of social commentary and bravado, it offers the vision of the universe through the perspective of someone raised in a world where hip hop defined youth culture. It isn't the kind of album that could have come out 10 or 15 years ago, it needed the history and personalities before it to help form the outlook. Where other rappers are busy sucking the dick of the past YC builds on what was right and doesn't ever look back. It's not throwback rap. YC's feet are firmly planted on the now with eyes on the future.

Frank Drake produces the entirety of GNK, creating a cohesive sound that bandies about between menacing, introspective, gritty and soulful. The beats for the aforementioned Molotovs at Poseidon, PRWTRP, The N-Word (which sounds like something out of a spaghetti western directed by Wes Anderson), God Complex, and HVNLY (which might be my favorite beat at present moment) turn me into a swaying bag of stupid every time I hear them. If I should shower in any of those fuckers you would never get me out of the bathroom.

GNK is one of those albums that you find more to like with every listen. Growing a little more perfect with each play. I am excited for the YC The Cynic era.