Category: Psychedelic Hip-Hop
“Five years after releasing Return of the Astro-Goth, Yugen Blakrok descends from the vast cosmos and delivers to the world an impressive lesson in style, with her second album Anima Mysterium. Far from the stars but heavy with their radiant wisdom; it’s towards Earth, humanity and the obscurity at its core that the South African rapper directs her incantations.
Accompanied by Kanif the Jhatmaster’s beats, Yugen’s flow sows the frontiers of a world where the subconscious frees itself and confronts man with his most hidden secrets. Yugen’s poetry has something Ovidian, depicting her as an agent of Metamorphosis, a reincarnated goddess in terrestrial form calling humanity to itself.
“Why in the deepest darkness my soul beams like a lantern, Engineered in female form…silent carrier of the force, I’m a sandstorm in desert dunes, a shadow with a torch” Land of Gray, Yugen Blakrok”
“Fake Flowers is the first solo album I released. The project started as a noise tape I did with my cousin Ernesto Mercado around 1999 or 2000 when our band Anonymous Inc’s first album was being wrapped up. Initially, I wanted to make this album very limited but it ended up becoming a fully pressed, and released by Beyond Space Entertainment in 2004 (almost a year after its completion). Fake Flowers is old, lo-fi, sometimes immature and sometimes very weird, but it was an important step in my musical progression and I still have a lot of love for it now nearly 7 years after its release and nearly 12 years after its inception. Fake Flowers hasn’t been officially available in physical format since 2005.”
“On his 2006 Net31 Records release, “They Hate Francisco False”, Ceschi Ramos merges Beatles-esque melodies over crunk drums, heartfelt hip hop, folk ditties, unpretentious poetry and overall honesty. These decidedly genre-less pieces retain a fluidity that feels completely natural and unfeigned.”
“Over time I’ve done many collaborative songs. Some of these are probably familiar to you while others barely came out or never came out. After 10 plus years of rapping on other people’s songs it’s gotten to the point where it would be possible to gather quite a few albums worth of this material – like maybe 50. One day, before i was locked up, my friend Mo Niklz suggested that he’d like to compile mixes of key verses I’ve done on tracks with other folks. He came up with the title “ceschi behind bars” which was just awfully sad and funny at the same time – which may also be a good adjective combo to describe a lot of what i do. Mo searched far and wide for some of these tracks and had the patience of saint when i sent him constantly updated lists of tracks i was on – even from prison. Massive thank you to Mo for making this happen and thanks to all of artists who asked me to be on tracks over the years!”
“Over time I’ve done many collaborative songs. Some of these are probably familiar to you while others barely came out or never came out. After 10 plus years of rapping on other people’s songs it’s gotten to the point where it would be possible to gather quite a few albums worth of this material – like maybe 50. One day, before i was locked up, my friend Mo Niklz suggested that he’d like to compile mixes of key verses I’ve done on tracks with other folks. He came up with the title “ceschi behind bars” which was just awfully sad and funny at the same time – which may also be a good adjective combo to describe a lot of what i do. Mo searched far and wide for some of these tracks and had the patience of saint when i sent him constantly updated lists of tracks i was on – even from prison. Massive thank you to Mo for making this happen and thanks to all of artists who asked me to be on tracks over the years!”
I don’t post many singles on here… but this one is too good ♥ Neonn
“The man you hear above, is a reflective man, who’s able to look back and appreciate all the lessons learned throughout his twenties (a few more years for I enter them 30s). And what I find most compelling, is that this trilogy embodies my twenties. Not just on some “I made a project during these years”, but more along the lines of having created a bit of a audio diary that I can always look back on. I’m proud of that.
I was locked up in this room, this apartment, writing and recording. When I left, it was to see my granny and help my pops with her situation. So I appreciate everyone’s patience, and I appreciate the love and support y’all continue to give.
The final chapter to the three-part TPOLAW Trilogy, and the ending (and beginning) of a story half a decade in the making. Since 2012, back when I first began recording The Purity of Love and War, my story has been something that I’ve enjoyed sharing through my music very much. So much has happened, and had happened throughout the years, and to have lived long enough to share that journey with you all has been a beautiful blessing. I’ve had my ups and downs like any artist I’m sure, but to be here in this position is something I’m very grateful for. Take a second to enjoy the sounds, read over the lyrics, and make sure to be on the lookout for the visuals that are to come with this project (and the others as well). I’ve enjoyed this journey so much, and I look forward to the next chapters. Forever Villainous.”