I know, it’s been a long while (about a month) since I last posted anything. I am going to try to not let that happen again, but for now lets get this rolling. On the agenda is a couple album reviews, a video game review and some more comic recap’s and reviews.
Today I will be reviewing an album that actually came out today, Chasing the Rabbit by Syqnys.
Lets start off with letting you know a bit about the Artist. Syqnys is from Salt Lake City, Utah. An atheist rapper, has never held back on calling out religion, most notably Christianity and Islam. Other subjects include Politics, Social mores, Pop Culture, Gay Rights, Abortion, Racism and Sexism. Chasing the Rabbit is his 5th solo album (In order, Melody of Madnys, CandyCap Rap and the L8Gr8 Atheist: Why Syqnys is the Future of Rap and Starving Children Taste Good, Hypatia’s Reign and The Nausea were his previous ones). He is a member of the Grand Unified collective.
But now onto the Album At Hand, Chasing the Rabbit. It is 20 tracks (16 songs and 4 skits). Many of the beats have darker undertones and Syqnys lets off with a bit of an aggressive style sure to get you pumped up. There are several references to Eminem throughout the album (who he has been compared to by some reviewers earlier on in his career). The skits are amusing, all 4 being linked as a robot speaking from the future. Some featured artists are Chy (who has made previous appearances on Syqnys songs), Honu, Ogma (Grand Unified artist) and Greydon Square (fellow Grand Unified artist, frequent collaborator with Syqnys). Johnny Hoax, Rion Atom, Tac and C-Gats all make an appearance on the song Cos(mic) (all of whom, except for Tac, are also members of Grand Unified). This album is definitely going to be listened to multiple times in the next few days and several songs are making their way onto a couple of playlists (especially my Get Pumped playlist).
I have 3 songs that I would specifically recommend (in order of appearance on the album). The individual songs can be heard by clicking the song titles (which are linked):
The Title song from the Album, Syqnys introduces himself and discusses his career and past. Talks about how long he has been making music, and taking shots at some Pop Icons. Brings up how he used to just battle rap in a friends back yard with Kriticism, Chy, Talon, Pacman and Kcin (all who have done songs or albums with Syqnys over the years). The chorus brings out the fact that he has been going for fame (“chasing the rabbit”) since Eminem put out My Name Is. The song is also a self-boost song, bragging about himself and how he has killed the game. Doesn’t really go over the line while boosting himself though (unless you count comparing yourself to the rap version of Jesus Christ).
2. Cos(mic) Featuring Johnny Hoax, Rion Atom, Tac and C-Gats
This song is done in a cypher style, where everyone goes hard. Plenty of space references throughout this song, opening up with how Syqnys wanted to be an Astronaut when he was a kid. And it includes a subtle Comic reference about Galactus. Johnny Hoax hops in next, starting off with how he is a nice guy. Going into how advanced they go, passing through Space Time Continuums, turning people into robots and citizens into soldiers. How they are taking over so abandon your plans. Rion Atom blasts off with how he is on those drugs again after tantalizing everytime he has the mic. Diving into the waters of Poseidon with the golden bars of Midas. He gets you going like Delta 9, and then gives a bit of a show with his lyrical speed. Tac follows that up while displaying his art on the empty canvas of the beat. Continuing on with some bravado, he threatens to hit you with the mic hard enough to shut down hospitals. C-Gats comes in like a shiver of sharks, going hard painting images like a desert mirage. He’ll kill the wack with his master plan. Syqnys finishes it off with a second verse. You can’t fuck with these cats, and comes up with a few lines referencing each of his fellow rappers on the track. Plenty of references to GU (Grand Unified) with Syqnys, Johnny Hoax, Rion Atom and C-Gats all being members of the collective. Finishing off the song is Syqnys talking about how everyone killed the beat.
3. dsdg Featuring Greydon Square
Starting off with echos of previous songs the two of them have done, it goes on about “Syqnys and Greydon are back, about to school this new generation that claims they can rap.” They are making an effort to put themselves and GU on the map. Several references to other GU members (Baba Brinkman, Tombstone the Deadman, AdeKwit, Gripp, Ogma and Taskrok). This song could very well cause a dispute between some sci-fi fans as Syqnys talks about how he thinks Star Trek is better than Star Wars (“My phasers say yeah, so keep your lasers and light-sabers they ain’t gonna do jack”). Greydon talks about how they looks to the stars for inspiration. Talking about how they study science to keep things interesting while out-growing the gods they knew as kids. Beating the system by gaining knowledge, serious debate would make them want to meet up. These two go hard challenging the industry, the politicians, the system and faith, this song slugs it out like the biggest brawlers.
Syqnys’ full discography can be found here. Chasing the Rabbit can be found here. Check it out, and if you like it, please buy it. Support some quality underground music that isn’t afraid to hit where it hurts, and help other independent artists make it (not everyone can get make a living from youtube like some artists)
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