First Impressions: YC The Cynic – You’re Welcome

First Impressions review scoring is based on the reviewers initial reactions to each individual track. In most cases, the listening time is limited to 1:00 of the song, though this will occasionally be extended on the spot, due to extended intros and other factors. Scoring is done on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best possible score. Each track will carry two numeric scores (1-10), one for overall musical achievement (beat, orchestration, production quality, etc.), one for vocal achievement (lyrics, delivery, etc.).

Votes are averaged out, and the two categories are averaged for a total score. The reviewer adds or subtract certain amounts, to factor in the First Impressions of the project as a whole. After these additions or deductions are factored in, a final score is determined. This is our First Impressions rating score.

YC The Cynic – You’re Welcome [Mixtape]

[Presented by Chaundon. ycthecynicbandcamp.com | www.myspace.com/YCTheCynic | ycthecynic.blogspot.com]

Track 1 – State I.D.
Ah hot beat choice, to me anyway. Big fan of that sound. I have this on vinyl, can’t remember the name or artist, but I have it. This is some Diamond D, DITC stuff. Forget who used this before, but it’s dope. I wonder if that’s his “thing”.. Young cat, early ‘90’s beats.. We’ll see. Long intro but that’s ok, hot loop. Ok, let’s see what he’s is coming with. Good voice, vaguely reminiscent of …. I can’t place it… Doesn’t matter. Good delivery. Ha. Smart lyrics. The intro lasted :20, I’m stealing a few more seconds of listening. Ok. So far, the hype is real. Plus, nothing irks me more than when a good artist starts a mixtape with sub-par work. Not so in this case. Well done. I’m in.
Musically: 8.5 – Vocally: 8.5

Track 2 – Kick Back
Slower, breakbeaty vibe, another good sample. Definitely my style of loops. This is a more lyrical exposition than the first, the track is smooth, but doesn’t do much, but the words and enunciation are sharp. A good listen. Reinforces YC’s lyrical skill. Smooth.
Musically: 7.5 – Vocally: 8.5

Track 3 – Return of the Slick
Ok, technically violates the rules of First Impressions, because I heard this before. However, it’s my site, and my rules so I’ll bend ‘em when necessary. A he-style (what we call pre-fabricated verses spit over previously established beats, a she-style if the MC is female) over the classic Digable Planets joint “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)”. Ok, now I’m think this *is* YC’s style, these “older” sounding loops, which is very cool with me, I’m an older sounding loops kinda guy. Flow fits into the sonic spaces of the beat nicely. Again, smart lyrics, good wordplay, but not as piercing as earlier tracks. My second impression is, “Good, he didn’t play himself on a classic”, but I need to hear more to really feel like I can judge dude. But I do want to hear more, which is also good. All this was the same result as my first impression after hearing this cut for the first time, which is why I’m here reviewing it now. So…
Musically: 8 – Vocally: 7.75

Track 4 – The Honor Society ft. J. Monopoly, E.Y.E. Q, & J.O. of O.I.S.D.
Again, a similar track but one that is a bit too monotonous for me. Other MCs on this track, J.O. first, who is decent, but I’m not fighting the urge to move on at 1:00. It could have been a stronger showing from the leadoff verse. YC also spits pretty hard, but it’s probably just the track, also a familiar one, not one of my faves, but good for a posse cut, which this is. So…
Musically: 6.75 – Vocally: 7

Track 5 – In The City ft. Warren Britt
Another joint endeavor, this one with Warren Britt. Again, I have to go longer than 1:00 to get to YC. It’s only fair. The joint is a “tale of NYC” type of joint. After the soulful loops of prior tracks, the music on this track is a bit of a letdown, a little simplistic and uninspiring, but both MCs hold it down enough, just not as strong as a thoughtful song should be. So, while listenable, it’s also a bit skippable.
Musically: 5.5 – Vocally: 7

Track 6/7 – Chris Brown’s Latest Hit
Ah, one of my favorite classic loops (used on my “Overnight Celebrity” remix, but more famously by Ahmad in “Back In The Day”). A whimsical intro, “warning” that despite the forthcoming track, YC and affiliates do not condone violence toward women. Then, proceeds to equally whimsically rhyme about violence toward a woman. Hey, she gave him herpes. I’m not saying I agree… But I undahstaaand [in Chris Rock voice]. Smooth, semi-silly joint, but we are not afraid to say we dig it.
Musically: 7.25 – Vocally: 7.25

Track 8 – Why Cee LA
Fugees track, “Fu-gee-La” beat. Dope choice again. Wow, for a second, YC sounds like Wyclef if Wyclef could really, really rhyme. Shit. This is a pretty hot ass verse. OK young YC, I’mma give you a compliment right here, because I’m wheeling it up and coming again. … listening, listening…  Yeah, it was hot, I thought so. In all honestly, hottest verse I’ve heard in a minute. If I had to pick one thing to play from YC The Cynic to say to someone, “Hey, check out this cat YC The Cynic,” it would be this.
Musically: 8.5 – Vocally: 8.75

Track 9 – The Blogspot
Clever. YC rhymes about YC’s blog. Good joint. Nothing spectacular, nothing horrible. Solid. Strong. Quick. (That’s what she said. Sigh.)
Musically: 7 – Vocally: 7

Track 10 – The Bad Seed ft. Final Outlaw & D. Julien
Oh yes, definitely favors DITC type sounds. This is a Showbiz and AG track? Big L? Can’t recall. Don’t want to interrupt and research. YC seems to adapt his flow for the track, which good MCs do, but he also seems to flow into the era a bit. So, without sounding dated, he sounds at home. If he’s trying, that’s dope. If he’s not, it’s natural, and that’s dope too. Another strong showing.
Musically: 7.5 – Vocally: 7.5

Track 11 – Lost ft. Rodstarz of Rebel Diaz & Hipnotic
I don’t recognize the beat. Maybe an original. Whatever. I don’t know everything. Introspective, thoughtful sounding beat. First MC is not YC. Probably Rodstarz of Rebel Diaz. I don’t know. I let the verse breeze by while typing this, it was a fine verse. YC is up next. Introspective, thoughtful verse. Chorus makes sense. Ok, yes, the last MC is Hipnotic so the other guy was Rodstarz. Wait, I’m supposed to be listening to only 1:00 or at least only YCs verse. Stop. That’s a good thing, when a song is tough to turn off. These three did good. Ok. Moving on.
Musically: 7.25 – Vocally: 7.25

Track 12 – Where’s Lauren (Take It Easy rmx)
Anti-industry rant, the type you hear from indie MCs, over the slappy but slightly monotonous Lauryn Hill “Take It Easy” track. (Psst: It’s Lauryn. With a y. Sorry. It’s the factchecker in me. Plus I had a industry crush on her years ago so I used to make pretty pictures out of… um.. never mind.) Now, YCs certainly saying something, he knows what he’s talking about, and it’s probably worthy of a re-listen, but it didn’t blow me away. It’s either a little lazy, compared to other tracks, or, requires more than a quick 1:00, first impression type of listen. That happens sometimes, but, those are the rules. So…
Musically: 7 – Vocally: 7

Track 13 – Say Superman
Pretty sure this is the cut that got people murmuring about YC in and around NYC. James Brown guitars and vocal samples, breakbeat, slight sonic chaos, noddable. YC’s voice is a standout, he’s like a lyrical cat playing with his musical food, dancing words in between drum sounds. Another track that is hard to stop at 1:00, leaving listener wanting to hear it out. Good stuff.
Musically: 7.5 – Vocally: 7.5

Track 14 – Be Aware (Kings of New York)
Another track I swear samples something I have on vinyl. Smooth, soul piano loop, chorus sung, also suggesting a thoughtful, serious-minded track is coming. YC kicks in, yep, social commentary. Just good poetry this guy has. I can see why people are making a big deal about the fact that he’s so young. Personally, I think that the general public has just been beaten over the head with lyrical illiteracy for so long, someone with a vocabulary and some sense of staying on message sounds spectacular in comparison, but that being said, YC is smart, and delivers well, and I was never brainwashed to accept mediocrity. This is a good track.
Musically: 7.5 – Vocally: 7.75

The Synopsis
In it’s entirety, You’re Welcome is an extremely solid mixtape. There are no two ways about it. The majority of beats were chosen wisely. Lyrically, YC is intelligent and rocks with diction. He enunciates well, emitting just the right amount of emotion for each track, while skillfully staying on message. His age will win him a brownie point, but we’re not going to harp on it. If anything, we wouldn’t say “He’s even doper because he’s young,” like many others might, rather, we’ll use his youth to explain away slip ups or slight low points. That kind of thinking allows YC to get better without pressure of being lifted up to an early pedestal, aka, the Curse of Nas. Bottom line is that we haven’t come across any spot that has mentioned this project, or this artist, without hearing/seeing/reading positive things, and now that we took the time to fully investigate, we agree. A damn fine rookie effort that has good replay value. So, we suggest you snatch the mixtape and decide for yourself, but we’ll be definitely looking out for more from YC The Cynic.

Highs
Why Cee La (8.625), State I.D. (8.5), Kick Back (8), Return of Slick (7.875)

Lows
In The City (6.25), The Honor Society (6.875)

The Math
Musically: 95.75 / 13 = 7.37
Lyrically: 98.75 / 13 = 7.60
Total: 7.49

The Curve
Musically: + 0.25 Overall, beat selection was strong, smart choices. However, a couple of missteps held the project from being even stronger. For instance, “In The City” and “The Honor Society” were mainly low due to sub-par tracks, not the abilities of the guest MCs.
Vocally: +0.5 for clear diction, impeccable timing, smart lyrics, beating a slight lisp and possessing a verbal x-factor.

The Final
8.24 / 10.00