YC the Cynic - "Hallelujah"

Since the release of 'Fall FWD', almost 2 years ago, fans of Bronx native YC the Cynic have been hearing a lot about his upcoming project called 'GNK.' He finally took to Kickstarter last year to get the project fully off the ground and was successful so now we have a window of "this summer."

To get listeners acclimated to his new sound and artistic direction he hit us with "Hallelujah" this morning through MTV Hive. The track showcases a more aggressive but no less witty and poetic YC the Cynic. This feels much more commercially viable for me and I'm glad to see and hear him evolve as an artist. The DJ Illanoiz produced track is simple and eerie so it's a great compliment to YC's complex rhyme structure and content. He doesn't need an overproduced track to carry him.

I'm very much looking forward to 'GNK' anyway but this joint definitely ups the anticipation. Check out the free stream and download below...

Skyzoo - "Jansport Strings"

Who would ever have thought that Chi-Ali inspired Skyzoo to start writing raps? Do you even know who Chi-Ali is? (If not, I'll leave  a little reference material for you at the bottom of this post.) If you know Skyzoo's work at all, you know he greatly respects Jay-Z and one would assume that his greatest influence is him. "Jansport Strings" (One Time for Chi-Ali) tells us how the phenom got the itch to start writing using one of the most iconic brands of the 80's/90's.

Sky says, "As a kid in NY, the strings on your Jansport bag were a sign of power and presence." He ain't never lied! The more strings you pilfered, the more status. Jansport strings were like beads at Mardi Gras. You just had to have them ... lots of them. 

With 9th Wonder on the boards, this legendary duo does it again with a crazy Boom Bap offering from Skyzoo's upcoming 'A Dream Deferred' album releasing through The Faculty/Duck Down Music. It promises to be epic as Sky has NEVER been sub-par with a pen. 

Generally, when you talk about Rap music, you talk about beats and rhymes. When the topic turns to Skyzoo and 9th Wonder, you discuss compositions and literature. They are not the same thing.

Check out the free stream below and learn yourself on some Chi-Ali!



Who's Chi-Ali?