Via NappyAfro
Given the current state of Hip-Hop music in 2009, a resurgence of “real” Hip-Hop music and return to the lyricism as heard on classic albums of the 90’s has been seen with recent releases like Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… PT II, KRS-One & Buckshot’s Survival Skills, and Marco Polo & Torae’s Double Barrel. Since his debut in 2006 with the 9th Wonder assisted Cloud 9: The 3 Day High and follow-up mixtapes including Corner Store Classic and The Power Of Words, Skyzoo has undoubtedly noticed the declining state of Hip-Hop music and has been on a mission to bring things back to the way they once were. This is evident with an album titled The Salvation, as the term “salvation” by definition is the saving of humanity from death or eternal damnation. With this album Skyzoo is set on saving listeners and the genre of Hip-Hop from death via untalented artists with limited skills and abilities on the microphone (I won’t go into names here… everybody has their own list). With producers along the lines of 9th Wonder, Just Blaze, Black Milk, Illmind, Nottz, and Needlz, and the credible history of Skyzoo as an intellectual, lyrical emcee, this album looks good on paper to be a success, but in the end does that translate to a quality product.
1. The Opener
Produced by Cyrus The Great
In relation to the album title, the opening track starts off with a gospel interlude followed by some piano playing the leads into some piano driven production by Cyrus The Great. The production plays its role as Skyzoo immediately lets listeners know what they’re getting with this album in the form of lyricism and a return to real Hip-Hop music. This track is a good introduction to the rest of the album that follows.
2. Return Of The Real
Produced by Just Blaze
Speaking of a real to Hip-Hop music, that’s exactly what this track is about as stated by the song title. Skyzoo enlists music producer extraordinaire Just Blaze for this track as he delivers with one of the most energetic beats on the album. After a trademark Just Blaze introduction, Skyzoo gets right into it over the head-nodding beat in speaking about how he’s one of the last few lyricists remaining in the game and is destined to bring the realness back to the genre. This is a track that definitely knocks on the system, as Skyzoo does a good job on his intentions with his convincing lyrics and flow.
3. The Beautiful Decay
Produced by 9th Wonder
This track stood as the first official single for the album with an accompanying video released a few months back that provided excellent visuals to compliment Skyzoo’s lyrics describing the inner city life in a positive manner by name it “The Beautiful Decay”. 9th Wonder supplies Skyzoo with one of his signature soulful beats that fit his lyrics and flow like a glove and sound like something you might have heard from their sessions back on the Cloud 9: The 3 Day High project. This is an excellent track that shows Skyzoo in his zone in speaking about city life and its surroundings.
4. My Interpretation
Produced by Best Kept Secret
On this track Best Kept Secret provides some airy flowing production as Skyzoo gives his interpretation of “getting lifted” with his head in the clouds on his journey to the top. The soulful production once again fits nicely with Skyzoo’s rhyming, as he doesn’t sound one bit out of place with his vivid descriptions and portrayal.
5. Popularity
Produced by Nottz
Getting back to the energetic sound that was heard a few tracks ago on “Return Of The Real”, Skyzoo recruits Nottz behind the boards of this track as he supplies some bouncy production while Skyzoo proceeds to let listeners know why he’s one of the most popular emcees on the rise in the game and doesn’t show any signs of being stopped. Being the type of rapper that Sykzoo is, this is the closest you’re going to get to hearing a potential commercial song receiving radio play, and honestly a song of this kind is one I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing compared to the likes of “You’re A Jerk” or “Money To Blow”.
Overall Score: 4/5
__________________________________________________________________________
Also, via KevinNottingham
Skyzoo is not exactly a rookie. Some may remember him from his appearance on 106 & Park’s Freestyle Friday battles, but most know the Brooklyn native from collaborations with the likes of Sean Price, EPMD, Torae & Reks as well as critically acclaimed mixtape releases like The City’s Favorite and Corner Store Classic. His most notable release to date is his project with 9th Wonder, Cloud 9: The 3 Day High. Now, in 2009, Skyzoo has delivered his long awaited debut LP, The Salvation. The question is whether Skyzoo could deliver the album that many people expect him to make with his pedigree.
A refreshing part of this debut is the absence of guest emcees. Too many artists have begun relying on other big names to assist them and gain attention. This is a Skyzoo album and he keeps it that way. His good chemistry with 9th Wonder continues with standout tracks like “The Beautiful Decay,” “Like a Marathon,” and “Under Pressure.” Sky does seem to be energized by the more intense productions from the likes of Just Blaze, Black Milk & Cyrus tha Great. It is these particular joints that show powerful production can in fact push an emcee to greater levels. Look at the intensity and concentration laced in Sky’z flow, especially on the Just Blaze banger, “Return of the Real.”
Skyzoo’s introspective side emerges more on tracks like “Dear Whoever” & “For What It’s Worth.” Sky is a good lyricist, but does not force intricate wordplay when it isn’t necessary. His flow becomes a major strength as he’s right at home on basically every cut on the album. He definitely catches your ears on tracks such as “Penmanship” with lines like “I’m numb now cause all along what I’m giving you / is more than you imagined any ballpoint pen could do / hauling all minimal I ain’t roll a sleeve yet / breath of fresh air and I ain’t breath yet / third lap around and I ain’t leave yet / if I talk different or it come across different, all of this is just a reflex.”
Overall Score: 80/100
