Kingsland Kingpen Review
In a ten track attempt TY. REESE aims to showcase his skills to be crowned the Kingpen of rap as we do A Deep Dive into his latest album 'Kingsland Kingpen'"
ARTIST: TY. REESE WATTS
GENRE: Rap & HipHop
RELEASE: 12/22/2022
RATING: 7.7/10
TY. REESE's "Kingsland Kingpen" serves as a powerful reflection of his life, capturing the essence of street culture through its gritty production and profound lyricism. The album opens a window into a world where the city's heartbeat is palpable, resonating with the struggles, dreams, and realities of his personal life.
Opening the album with a track titled Violens, TY. REESE begins with a soft spoken word that immediately sets the tone with a gritty vibe. Reflecting on the cold nights he slept outside in the rain, immediately grabbing the listeners attention as the record plays. With the thunderstorm and howling winds overheard in the background TY. REESE barely manages to serenade the listener with a portion of the hook as he slowly begins to succumb to his realization that he’s all out of hope “Hear my pain and I hear violins / That’s just how my time is” just before the initial low vibrational instrumental kicks in with the record giving off a grit and toughness that is backed with rough lyrics.
As the record transitions we’re introduced to a title track titled Moonlight. Most songs named moonlight typically have good beats and this beat serves that statement justice. The vibe is immediately catchy and the keys accompanying the bass fills provide an excellent opportunity to have a smooth flow throughout the entire track. With this track TY. REESE brings us into his place of serenity and peace as he finds his way out of the slump. The track begins with the following words “You is not depressed / You just need to get you some money you’ll be aite / Nah for real! Money do change shit you just need to get you some” .
As Moonlight closes out we are immediately introduced to the title track Phobia. This record really shows the introspective nature of TY. REESE while painting a picture of both fear and growth from personal experiences he’s dealt with internal and external. He expresses what it took to be his ideal version of a man and the hardships he endured to get there with lyrics like “Across from the road where his dad and them / Still im found cross tracks” and “Used to be airing noise , if I get I clear it they say it boy / Used to be fearing noise I get I hear it I’m saying boy” . It’s great to say the experiences expressed are executed as well as used as a point of reference throughout the track. The flow of the verses has been balanced and mixed in a careful fashion to match the cadence of the beat and done very well to execution.
Getting to Granny’s Glasshouse the beat choices are excellent ! To understand ego, pride, and self-worth . TY. REESE easily enables listeners to understand how he’s grown and easily showcases where he’s headed. Understanding how the flow is different from the last few tracks provides a deeper perspective as to WHY TY. REESE is very mature at this point which brings us into
MoodSwangs. This album could be a great conversation starter for mental health. This man puts his whole life on the line for his goals and using mood swings as a metaphor for how his mood changes based on the things he wants to accomplish in his life was phenomenally executed.
Upon getting to the next titled track Scripted I will say although TY. REESE understands that you cannot have the ups without the downs. This track serves as the downs. The beat is not as impactful here as the main focus is mainly the lyrics. The beat doesn’t overpower the track, but the saxophone can be a tad distracting if you’re trying to get a better understanding of what is being said. You might enjoy other tracks compared to this one, but from a conceptual perspective, it’s probably one of the most important tracks on the whole album.
With tracks like Grey Poupon , Remember how I mentioned you can't have ups without the downs and how mental health is important? This track is short and sweet with a subtle hint of flexing showcased on record. Here TY. REESE and guest feature 6MAY showoff their amazing lyricism and flow pockets showcasing the accolades and accomplishments they’re striving for no matter how difficult it may be to achieve while also keeping a foot on reality. It’s a very good message.
With Porche following behind, One thing I will say about TY. REESE is HE’S RAPPING!!! This is the most amazing track so far based on the strings being played in the background, the simplistic beat that allows a tough flow that has now been showing the changes in TY. REESE’s life up to this point. Metaphorically speaking, he's on his game now and you can't stop him. With lyrics like “Tell my momma I’m living straight my baby , Grandma died can’t take my baby / Came up with real and the fake ain’t raise me / Got big moves don’t wait now baby” it’s clear TY. REESE is attempting to showcase he’s here to stay with the strong hitting lyricism.
With the last two tracks Sunset & Eulogy. TY. REESE builds on the hype and excitement of the previous track, hyping up his hard work. That laid the foundation for ApeO to go absolutely crazy with his verse on this track. With plentiful bars throughout this track, TY. REESE closes out the album with a Realization which seems to be a key theme here. At the end of the day, no matter how hard TY. REESE works or how he views himself, he knows he’s been through things that have made him who he is, which is a tough individual serenading the listener with lyrics “My heart be playing tricks to make a fool of me / I know that I ain’t been worth a damn that’s right to no one / I look for love from folk who want nothing to do with me”. He’s showing you he’s put in the work, and that NOTHING will stop him no matter the trials, shortcomings and consequences he faces. The production is very solid for a closing track as well. Servings as a solid way to end the project.
The production on "Kingsland Kingpen" is nothing short of impressive. Each track is a sonic journey layered with complexity. With each track, TY. REESE invites listeners on a sonic expedition, traversing the shadowy corners and vibrant southern streetscapes of the city. With haunting melodies layered over hard-hitting percussion. From soulful samples to menacing synths, the beats serve as the perfect backdrop for TY. REESE's introspective rhymes. Setting the stage for TY. REESE's narrative prowess.
What truly sets this album apart, however, is TY. REESE's lyricism. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he paints vivid portraits of life on the margins. His verses are equal parts gritty and poetic, offering a window into the struggles and triumphs of those often overlooked by his city, family and peers. Whether reflecting on personal demons or societal injustices, TY. REESE's lyrics cut straight to the heart, leaving a lasting impact on the listener. With his lyrical prowess being undeniably the centerpiece of this album. He possesses an uncanny ability to weave intricate tales, drawing from personal experiences and observations. His verses are a blend of raw emotion and poetic finesse, shedding light on the resilience and vulnerabilities of himself and those living on the fringes of society. Through his storytelling, confronting pressing issues, offering profound insights that provoke thought and spark conversation.
The collaborative spirit of "Kingsland Kingpen" further enriches its sonic landscape. Featuring a lineup of emerging talents such as Grey Oshun, 6MaY and Apeo whom are all DMV natives. Each guest artist brings a distinct voice and perspective, seamlessly complementing TY. REESE's vision. These collaborations not only showcase the diversity of the album but also highlight the collective strength and unity within the music. With all upcoming talents showcasing they have something to prove in their own right.
Breaking down the 10 tracks on Kingsland Kingpen I would have to say that each individual records offers its own purpose. In conclusion, "Kingsland Kingpen" is a tour de force that underscores TY. REESE's artistic maturity and vision. It transcends the confines of genre, offering a compelling narrative that resonates with authenticity and depth. For those seeking music that transcends mere entertainment and delves into the complexities of the human experience, "Kingsland Kingpen" is an essential addition to your playlist." A must-listen for anyone craving music with substance and soul.
