Customer Reviews

The Yearbook

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's been a great year for KJ52. His album sales have surpassed 500,000 units, he's won a Dove award, and he's been nominated for two more. His latest self produced project, The Yearbook, gives you a snapshot of what this hip-hop Tampa Florida rapper is capable of. Seven years and five albums into his career he's had such hits as "Five-Tweezy" and "Dear Slim" (a song written for Eminem). KJ says, "I am both thrilled and awed by the things that have taken place recently, and I can't wait to share them with the world."

This latest album branches out from his predominantly hip-hop feel to a wide variety of musical styles: rock and roll, rap, urban hip-hop, with a little 60's, 70's, and R&B thrown in for good measure. Fans of the many pop culture references he's been so fond of using on earlier cds need have no worries, as this project is full of them. KJ's sense of humor shines through in "Do Your Thang", which also has the most catchy bass line. Rock and roll purists will appreciate the cut "You'll Never Take Me Down" (featuring Kevin Young of Disciple). Keeping with his tradition of including guest appearances from other bands and artists, he also includes Toby Morell of Emery, Ayiesha Woods, Blanca Reyes of Group 1 Crew, and Liquid.

KJ seems to deal with more serious issues on this project, when he's not being silly, that is. Like "Fanmail" (think "Dear Slim"), which is based on actual letters he's received from fans. And "5 Minutes In the Garden" focuses on Jesus' Garden of Gesthemane turmoil: "Through the trees the soldiers sped from the west - They're getting closer and closer for me to arrest." But there are also some strange and quirky lyrics in The Yearbook. Unforgettable lines more consistent with his previous albums abound: "It smells like an animal died between your teeth". KJ's vocals are clear, the lyrics understandable, and the music crisp.

The Yearbook is up to par with anything Kanye West and Scarface are dishing out in quality. Only his message is edifying and non-violent. You can hear he's having fun, and you'll have fun too. A must for the iPod as well as the car.

--Reviewed by Tracy Darlington for TitleTrakk

I really enjoyed this new album. The words are deep with meaning and give you cause to pause. The beats are diverse and not the same ole reduntant and annoying bass that leaves you bored and irritated. Each song is different and it shows that each was carefully planned out and not just randomly put together. And of course, like any good music - it makes you want to respond to it.

And oh yes, I'm a mother of a college student and I love this album !!!

This dude is crazy in the Christian world like Eminem is in the secular world. He a very talented artist and this album is very nice. I can't even knock this dude a little bit. There really are some bangin tracks on this album.

This guy has been around for a while and though I prefer The Cross Movement, LaCrae and Flame he's got a fun sound. Flame is super serious and Cross Movement is crazy meaty so sometimes I want something light and fun as well as deep and he's able to do that. Check him out.

I got this album for my kids to have another style of music to relate our Christian beliefs to. I will listen to almost anything as long as I feel like there is talent there and KJ 5 2 IS talented. Fun good lyrics. I think my kids' friends love it as well. KJ is your average talented white Christian Floridian who keeps you entertained. Think Eminem with out the foul language and hate.

This is a good lighthearted cd. He doesn't ever seem to take himself to seriously. Few good songs that are strong in the word. If your looking for some good strong Christian rap, I would like to recomend a group/rapper(not sure if its his band or just him) called Flame. Just started listening to them and every song is pretty powerful!

I'm a 15 year old girl who will give pretty much any genre of music you can think of a shot at least once, I'm the only person in my family who can even remotely enjoy rap music, Christian or otherwise, and I am SO glad I found this album. I love the sound of secular rap music, but the cussing and subject matter is just too much for me, and it's not exactly the best thing for a teenaged Christian girl to be listening to. Anyway, today, on a trip to the local Family Christian bookstore for a Bible highlighter (long story), I decided to look for some good Christian rap music, one of the employees there suggested this album (because it was requested so much), I listened to a few tracks on a sample CD for use in the store, and quickly chose this over the other two albums by other artists I had listened to. This is what I think of when I think of rap, minus the cussing and subject matter of questionable integrity. The Yearbook is a good album with a great message, three of my favourite tracks are "Will You Ever Know?" (the beginning sends chills down my spine), "Can I Be Honest" and "Fanmail".

Overall, this is a great album, and I'm very glad I got it.

KJ says "just" way too much on this album. Anyone else notice that? Top 3 songs: Do You Got That, Push up, You Can Still Come Back.