STYLE: Hip-Hop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 139604-20693 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Carla McKen
The Californian rapper has already made the Cross Rhythms playlists and this mixtape will surely connect further with the hip-hop underground. Young Chozen is a lyrist who has no reservations about entering mainstream culture and challenging rap's figureheads for the spotlight. In an attempt to lure the masses away from the "night life" or negative youth culture, the rapper uses subtle gospel undertones with a secular beat. Although the word Christ is not used throughout the positive message is easily extracted even to the untrained ear and deeply embedded within each verse. His intention is clear, this is a record created not just for church groups but transcends traditional forms of worship, appealing to the masses in order to break them unwillingly from the shackles that bind them to their secular genres. Young Chozen states, "Our world right now is obsessed with the 'Night Life', this party culture has taken over everything from fashion to music yet I feel 'Christian hip-hop' is barely scratching the surface." As a complete body of work Young Chozen has managed to infiltrate mainstream music and clearly has his finger on the pulse when it comes to emerging trends. The beat fizzes throughout and requires a few listens before picking up the layering of each song and melody; the production on this record is also complex but put together thoughtfully and expertly.
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