New Music: YC The Cynic - "Negus" - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

YC The Cynic is prepping for the release of his album GNK, dropping August 26th. RESPECT. has already had the chance to listen to the full project and we can tell you that you will be downloading this project on Monday. Today, YC released a new album cut entitled “Negus,” the Ethiopian word for a sovereign ruler. The track, produced by the talented Frank Drake, starts off with YC‘s take on C-Murder‘s ever-quoted hook from “Down 4 My Niggas.” The track is politically charged, high in emotion, and full of thought-provoking quotes. “Not a free man but I’m a free mason as if that made sense.”

YC uses lots of mythical references, coinciding with GNK‘s cover art. The MC also refers to contemporary figures such as Marcus Garvey and his Madison Square Garden speech. The MC told us exclusively:

My inspiration for the song is always the beat. It dictates how I feel when I hear it, and subsequently the song that’s written. The idea of a chant struck me first. Then the melody struck. Then I was reminded of my fascination with the word “Negus” when I heard Elijah Black say it. It was all a string of random/organic occurrences, like it usually is.

“Negus” is about empowerment, and is composed much like a inspirational chant. It gives us a new vision on historical topics that are too often categorized as preachy. If you like what you are hearing and you are a fan of Soul Khan, Homeboy Sandman, Rebel Diaz, Sene, Scienze Ottis Clapp or Dao Jones, we advise you to come to YC‘s release party in New York City the 26th at SOBS.