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The
emergence of the Yuinon Prequel, is truly a testament to what
God can do when vessels avail themselves to be used by Him.
Rhymes written on the spot or in a day, beats crafted in hours
and concepts emerging from the synergy of likeminded individuals.
The Yuinon tapped into the vision of the Creator with the
intention of changing lives. Which brings me to the review.
At
a concise seven tracks, (discounting a potent prayer by the
Mad Prophets and a deeeeeeep spoken word by Mahogany) the
spiritual mileage this project gets is incredible. If it is
truly functioning within the definition of a prequel, the
Yuinon EP foreshadows more holy ruggedness and practical truth
to come. If you like banging beats, smoothed out melodies
that still bump, or whether you just like a good sounding
recording emanating from your speakers, you need to cop this
EP right away.
Yuinon
members and producers Maji and I-ron-ic-Lee bring the ruckus
on the tracks and fellow members, Corey Red, Diallo, Jack,
Zion/Cross Cypha, EP, Mahogany and I-Ron-ic himself spit fire
on subjects ranging from the difficult walk for an ill-prepared
new believer (Narrow), or the power of aggressively spittin’
truth on the mic (Runnin’). Things starts off lovely
with “The Yuinon”. Every movement needs an anthem,
and the mission of this one is captured in the chorus of this
urgent collabo….
“Straight
up and down we are The Yuinon, we’re not a click or
a gang, but a movement, The Lord Jesus Christ spits life through
The Yuinon…” - Corey Red
“From
an underground signal we broadcast the following presentation,
with no commercials we disposing personal information, try
to stay patient and calm when we relayin’ this explosive
and volatile situation…” – Diallo
from The Yuinon |
After
three straight bangers, we get a chance to peep the sistas
who come in like a glass of smooth iced tea to wash down the
lyrical steaks the brothas have just handed to listeners.
First it’s Mahogany Jones. After she calls out her fellow
female “masters of ceremony” to task on Just Like
You, she comforts anyone dealing with issues on Turn to The
Son, a laid back encouragement piece that has verses discussing
topics such as battering women and homosexuality. A.O.N. keeps
the encouragement coming with their song Better Now. Peep
EP who brings her energy and style in this verse.
“Listen,
been behind the scenes, some think I fell off but I’ve
been willed and skilled, so I’m tryin’ to tell
yall, the Holy Spirit is real, and won’t fail yall,
give you the power to heal and tell Hell naw! I ain’t
comin’ there, I choose to persevere…
- EP from Better Now
The
Prequel is woven together with intermittent, muffled radio
broadcast signals that capture the spiritually subversive
mentality and tactics our movement needs and must employ.
Red closes the EP, with the aptly titled “Food for Thought”
where he attempts to jar those snoozing to the reality of
an unraveling world around them with opening question.
“Why
is it that as soon is as you come in the house, you have to
run and turn the TV and radio on, are you scared of your thoughts,
afraid to deal with yourself?”
- Corey Red from Food for Thought
What
follows this question is nothing short of lyrical brilliance
from Corey Red. I’ll stop here, it’s only an EP,
and I have to leave some surprises like Maji coming out of
semi retirement to touch his wheels of steel again, on Hip
Hop 101 (ooops, dang!) In short, this CD gives you plenty
to nod your head to and more than enough truth for you to
be alone with. Selah indeed.
-vessel |
