YB - Book Of YB
Reviewed By: ULTIMATECDLINK
Album Rate: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
YB is a rapper outta Starkville, Mississippi looking to make waves nationally now that MS native, David Banner has kicked down the door to NY and LA. The debut album on BOC Entertainment features Krazy A, Destroy, Bo Jizzy, Killa C, Met G, Sino, CD, Sub Z, & Keina.
1. Intro (Dark City Boyz)
2. My Last 24-- this track has a nice laid back beat full of hi-hats. YB raps with the cadence of a Memphis rapper to go along with his deep Southern drawl. YB comtemplates which way he should choose to end his life--to jump off a ledge or blow his brains out. This track sets the dark tone early on for the album.
3. Hush (f/ Bo Jizzy)-- this track has a simple hi-hat beat. YB gives a warning for the snitches out there and lets them know that if they give away his secrets, they're gonna have to face his glock. Bo Jizzy drops off a tight verse on this one.
4. Skit
5. Playa 4 Tha Night-- this track has a faster tempo beat over hi-hats and a bassline. This song really gets tired after a while. It just seems out of place when they arranged the album. Maybe it would be better at the end of an album but it's hard to listen to without hitting skip on the CD player when it's smack dab in the middle.
6. Qualifications (f/ Krazy A & Destroy)-- this track has decent midtempo beat with the ever common hi-hats kickin. Krazy A has a nice flow and Destroy does a decent job holding his own as well. It's a track worth checkin out.
7. Thugged Out (f/ CD, Killa C, & Destroy)-- this track has a nice laid back piano laced beat. This is one of those I don't give a fuck if you step to me cause I'm gon' fuck you up tracks. Some cool chants thrown in during the hook get ya hype. Nice track with some nice flows.
8. With The Lights Off-- this track has a beat with a nice feel, with the snares snappin over a bassline and hi-hats. YB raps about turning the lights off and fulfilling a young ladies fantasy. Not feelin this one too much other than the beat.
9. Full Moon (skit)
10. Full Moon (Last Stang)-- this track has a slower, dark mobbish feel on the piano laced beats. YB tells the story of hiding out in the woods under a full moon waiting to pop a nigga. Nice song.
11. Push Off-- this track has a really nice, laid back keyboard and snare bassline beat. YB is basically just talkin, not really rappin bout the life of a thug. It's an OK track that starts to drag along after a while.
12. Late Night Creep (f/ Keina)-- this track has a simple slow beat full of hi-hats. It's a slow song about fulfilling the fantasy with your fantasy girl on that "late night creep". Keina does her best Gangsta Boo impersonation but falls way short. Decent song.
13. Summer In My City-- usually with a title like this, you're expecting an uptempo, party feel-good song. But this one is actually the exact opposite. Since I'm from the South, I can relate to all the things that YB talks about goin on in the summer: people breakin out the shorts, ridin around, staying up late and partying, and then gettin up early to wash the car. Somehow, the song manages to work. Nice effort on the track.
14. Why Must I Prove-- this track samples the Oompla Loompa song from the classic movie "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". YB raps about how all these wack rappers are making all the money and how he's gotta grind just to get noticed. Same story, different rapper. Nice song nonetheless.
15. Violent Man-- on this piano laced beat, YB raps about how he's not normally a violent man, but there are certain situations that set the rage off inside of him. For example, protecting his baby girl. Decent track worth checkin out.
16. Truest Shit-- truest shit I ever wrote, truest shit I ever spoke....but the beat doesn't fit the lyrics at all to me. Maybe it's just me but YB doesn't do a great job of ridin the beat on this one. I'm just not feelin it.
17. Outro
18. Bonus Track: Local Area Anna-- this track has a really nice laid back beat. YB raps about all the local cats trying to hold him down. But overall, it's my favorite song on the entire album. I like the flows and the beats so it's a good way to end the album off.
Overall, the production by YB is decent but there's not a lot of variety on the boards. That gives the album the same sound throughout which isn't always a good thing. Unless you have crazy flows, it makes the album seem like it drags along. YB has the sound of a raw Mr. Sche and with more seasoning, he'll have the polish that the up-and-coming Memphis rapper has as well. There is definitely potential here so check the album out if you're looking for some of that raw underground Mississippi rap.
YB - Book Of YB