Music Review: "GNK" by YC The Cynic

- by Señor Editor, 22 August 2013

YC The Cynic is one of the most promising hip hop artists in recent years. Clever rhymes, a distinct flow and a voice that sounds great both when he's singing and rapping all made the Bronx rapper stand out. He's been slowly building a strong buzz and now, after a number of mixtapes and guest appearences, he's releasing his official studio debut - the "GNK" album, produced by Frank Drake.

I've been really looking forward to this record. I first heard YC's music a few months ago and liked it, but it's when the "GNK" singles started dropping that I was really on board. There's no shortage of young emcees making records right now; a large number of them start strong but peter out fast along the way, but few stay consistent or actually get better. So I was pretty cautious here, but it can now be said that "GNK" does not disappoint.

After a soulful intro ("World of Giants") The Cynic gets down to business with "The Pacs" - one of the strongest tracks on here and a sign that we're off to a really good start. The album is 12 songs-long, so if you already checked the three singles then there's just 9 joints to surprise you here, but fear not - they're all quality stuff. If songs like "Molotovs at Poseidon" really whetted your appetite, then you'll be pleased to hear what the young Bronx native's got in store. From bangers like the massive "PWRTRP" or the more introspective "The Heaviest Cross", to calmer tunes, it's clear that YC never loses his focus and remains on point throughout "GNK".

"The streets raised me, watching "Belly", reading Machiavelli", he raps on "Know it Alls", letting some of his influences be known. One of the things that I enjoy about YC and his rapping is that he seems like a dude that's clearly knowledgable when it comes to hip hop's history and culture, but he's never trying to just make some throwback, revival type music. It all has a feeling of being heavily influenced by hip hop tradition, but at the same time YC is new and original, progressive with his style and not catering to anybody.

While this isn't really a concept album, there's certainly some overall themes here. GNK stands for "God, Nigga, King" and the songs focus on different aspects of race, power and religion. Even though the man has "Cynic" right there in his name, it doesn't determine his take on the subjects he touches on in the songs. You will be surprised with how honest and uplifting some of YC's rhymes on this album are. He never sounds preachy, though, and it's not boring - he can have a track like the appropriately named "HVNLY" and follow it with the sly and humorous "God Complex" (video below) and it all works well together.

Like I mentioned at the beginning, the entire album is produced by Frank Drake, so let's talk about that a little. I can't say I've ever heard Frank Drake beats before "GNK". I am not familiar with the producer, but it's very clear he knows what he's doing here. The production here features both synths and samples, matching them well together and giving the whole thing a very atmospheric, often dark or sinister, hazy vibe. I have no idea how to describe it better, but the kind of sound Drake's got going on here makes a perfect background for the divine, godly themes of the album. Even the heaviest tracks on the record have this subtle, hypnotizing feel to them. It's very cool. I'm not sure if Frank Drake also handles stuff like scratches (some cool ones closing up "N Word", which is also one of the best songs on here), but if he does then good on him, cause it's a great touch.

I have to say, even though I really enjoyed YC's work with other producers (grab the "Good Morning, Midnight" EP produced by Yuri Beats here), I hope him and Frank Drake will stick together for at least another record. They work well together and I'd be interested to hear what else the duo could come up with down the road. Plus, how long has it been since the last MC/producer team that made it big in hip hop?

There are no guests on "GNK", it's just The Cynic and Frank Drake, but the album is very varied. It helps that YC isn't a one trick pony and switches his flow and delivery with ease (check "Murphy's Law", if you need an example), but the singing and the very fitting samples/skits (like the christian rap video that surfaced some months ago on the internet, or the kid sampled right before "Negus" starts) add to that, too. While there are moments on this album that I'm not a fan of (the final track, "Being God", for one), it's nothing that would really take away from my enjoyment of it. 

It's obvious a lot of work went into making "GNK", and it's appreciated. It's one of the best things out this year, and one of the most interesting and impressive "debuts" in recent memory. "GNK" drops next week, on August 26th, and whether you're already a fan of YC The Cynic or just getting to know his music, it's well worth picking up!

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Links to check out:
- YC The Cynic's official website
- YC's Twitter
- his Facebook fanpage
- his Bandcamp
- Frank Drake's Twitter


Are you a YC The Cynic and "GNK" fan? Agree with the review? Think it sucks? Sound off in the comments!

Tagged: music, Reviews.

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