The word ‘Icon’ gets thrown around casually these days. I suppose the more saturated the industry becomes, the more chance of inflated opinions and pedestal-rising.
But this man has definitely been that ‘Icon’ for years now! A man who has helped set the bar for what the underground should represent and the quality behind it. Now with his new drop, he reminds everyone why he is one of the greatest to ever do it!
This is the brand-new album by MC legend SkyZoo! With this album being produced by the likes of
-Camoflauge Monk
-Tuamie
-Cartune Beatz
-DJ Manipulator
-Conductor Williams
-Thelonious Martin
-The Other Guys
-Leo Confident
And together they help drop an album that highlights the trademark qualities and skills that have made Sky such a household name! First of all, although there are eight different minds behind the instrumentals, they somehow all work together in harmony and perfect synchronicity to create a well-balanced sound that’s fluent, engaging, and ever so harmonious in texture.
For example, we have that beautifully woven intro track by Camo! You’ve got that heartfelt spoken word passage that evolves into this gorgeous jazz rap sound with those big violin sounds, jazz horns, and funky 90’s-style drum patters!
We have tracks like ‘Devotion’ by Conductor Williams that bring to life that mysteriously infectious soundscape that Conductor is known for!
You’ve got those distorted jazz horns, those atmospheric piano keys, as well as more funky drums that all come together to bring to life a world that’s equal parts angelic and original!
Another track I fucked with heavily was ‘The Soloist’ as it deals with more authentic jazz instrumentation! This might be the smoothest track on the record with those fluent, wind-like jazz horns in that loop as well as a separate layer in a more freelance form across the tape! You’ve got those passing key chords and some minimal drums that help make this track an absolutely breathtaking experience!
As far as his MC work goes, he’s not a rapper; he’s a ‘writer’ in every sense of the word. He’s a prolific author who strings the hearts of millions with his authentic passion, conviction, and consistency that 90% of the game doesn’t have! Across this album, he sounds smoother than ever; he sounds well in his prime as he effortlessly glides through the instrumentation like a blade of grass through the wind!
He treats every song like its own individual story with his own perspectives, ideologies, life experiences, and thoughts to match. The kind of man to change your outlook on the world with just 16 bars and enough power and influence to hardware your perception on hip hop with just one album, and I feel this is that!
I found myself entranced and taken aback with his performances on this record. His mature wordplay, his precise game, and his calm and collected cadence, and the way he’s able to enunciate every single word in the clearest fashion, is something he’s mastered that most rappers don’t get!
With no need for features or any reason for interruption, it’s just him, and that’s all he ever needs! Someone who is strong enough to carry a record (as he’s done for his whole career) and a man who has enough personality to carry a whole group, he lets his natural talent and charisma bring this album to its incredible magnitudes!
As expected, another solid release by SkyZoo. Whether you’re talking about the incredible production or just him and his god-level bars, this is one you don’t want to miss!
https://open.spotify.com/album/5lqT5BOozWHgk5SPCw3PDf?si=qp6w424UTHOMKZ7cGNgwgg
The Serpent Tongue Reviews 