I was expecting so much more outta this kat---

Yung Joc: New Joc City “Substance or Filler?” An Album Review by Nfared
Out of nowhere, snap music has taken the world of Hip-Hop by storm. Groups like
Dem Franchise Boyz and D4L and producers like Lil John have created a craze with
an accompanying movement that is so simple anyone can become a dance star. While
the aforementioned groups (minus the producer) are in a huge debate about who
actually created the dance step, other artist are riding on the coattails of
their success. Yung Joc is enjoying the top of the charts with his first single,
“It’s Going Down” from his debut album “New Joc City”. The swiftness
of his rise holds great expectations from his first album as he represents not
only himself, but also music from the South.

“Do Ya Bad” is a display of things that can happen to those that get in
Yung Joc’s way. While the repercussions listed are definitely unwanted,
Joc’s delivery is barely threatening and hardly invigorating. He starts out
almost lazily, “You on that dumb shit/I ain’t wit it man/that’s the main
reason murders get committed man…” This tracked is also laced with phrases
that have been used to the point of begging for extinction, “This is not a
game/this is not a test/Swiss cheese ya frame/mayne you’ll be laid to rest.”
Still unable to break the threshold of lyrical mastery, Joc remains average on
“Don’t Play Wit It”. The boredom continues with uninspiring phrases
including “Like AT&T I’ll reach out and I’ll touch you man…” and
“Cause you don’t wanna piss me off/cause I’ll get to poppin like we poppin
Cristal”. Even when he tries to be creative, it comes across as silly as he
flows, “Treat you like mosquitoes when I skeet you
wit that Off”. The boastful “I’m Him” is more thought out, but still
does nothing to make musical greatness. His tone finally shows some variety
with, “Me a fuck boy?/That’s asinine/ain’t a nan nothing Chevy out here
fast as mine…” He also delivers what is probably his best line on the album
(which is not saying much) with, “Ya’ll kats turn gangsta on Protools/I’m
a professional gangsta with protools.” However, he follows that line with one
that shoots himself in the foot, “You got beef/whoa man/to me you as soft as a
wo-man”. His slow jam song, “1st Time” is a slightly more fitting place
for his laid back style. He seems more at home here, and even though the writing
is not that much better, he sounds more believable, “On yeah you hot and
tempting/oh no not Pretty Ricky/but when you grind on me/imma leave you hot and
dripping”. Promising satisfaction, he continues, “Imma keep going and
going/The Energizer Bunny/Mr. Long John all in
your tummy”.

Needle Meter It was a set up. Yung Joc’s first single was so popular it was
almost expected that the album be one of variety and creativity. Also with the
success of music below the Mason Dixon is currently experiencing, artists almost
have to come correct. While Yung Joc’s album is not really considered part of
Snap Music, his album release is surely being helped by the success of this
movement. However, it is clear that he needs to do more to prove himself
lyrically. Snap Music will not last forever, and if what he is working with is
already minimal at best, his first single may be his only single.
Two Needles














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