Sky has no limits
“Picture Opportunity…”
I mean, Just try it.
Skyzoo (Top 5 on my list), is one of Hip Hop’s hidden gems. Known for ghostwriting, Sky places his paintbrush against the canvas and all eyes are glued. I mean.. Ears are open. I mean..
A subtle bass line and boombap drums.
Said by Nobody: Bring in the Horns!
And not like 30 minutes or less, and it’s free.
Nah. I mean Prime. With the snapshot of the package at your front door.
The Mind Of A Saint, is a deep self reflection by Franklin Saint, The main character of the FX drama entitled, Snowfall. Not a fan of Snowfall, not a problem. Franklin Saint, meet The Consumer. Consumer, meet Franklin Saint. “Eminent Domain” is Franklin giving you the rundown on his current situation, a brief introduction, through rhymes and double entendres. Every song is laced with the witty wordplay Sky is known for. Vivid storytelling, to detail the painting coming together on the canvas.
You still with me?
Said by Anybody: ...(Owls hoot, crickets chirp)
…Roger.
As we witness Franklin shed his skin to reveal “Saint”, we make our way to some of my favorite tracks, which Ironically are the last four songs. I mean Franklin's foundation was cemented by many hands, and Joints like "Views from the Valley" and "Panthers & Powder" help you understand Franklin and some of his choices, but Saint is that guy. The confidence he carries is felt by the tone Sky uses on these tracks. On “The Balancing Act”, Skyzoo shares Saint's perspective on the matter. “Call it even.. Seeing how I leveled up off the steps/Made enough money to bail Jerry Buss out of debt”.
Hol’ up.
Did I mention that the references Skyzoo chose are all connected to the crack era? I mean, it's still Sky right? He's speaking through Franklin, so he's referencing that era.
What are we talking about here?
This is Hip Hop!
“Brick by Brick” feels like Saint taking an evening ride through the spots he controls. Detailing the work he put in to build his empire. A cocaine Cowboy, with legal assets. Saint is “Up” now. “So don’t spare me any love unless you be with us when the ship dock/And don’t compare me to your plug if he re-you up out a ziplock/Know if I’m talking brick by brick it could be throwing ki’s/Or one of the buildings where I wrote your lease/Either or...” But the high never lasts. Reality sets in when Saint realizes the consequences of his actions. Venting to the first women he ever loved, “Apologies in Order” is Saint's way of taking accountability.
“Mel ain’t Wanda”.
Welp...
How do you know when you’re at the top? When everyone is shooting for it, and you catch strays. On Purity, Saint reflects on the tension within his circle. Cracks in his brickhouse.
I’m not a rapper. (Shameless plug)
On the second verse, Sky takes us on a journey of what an interaction between Franklin Saint and the father of the late, Nipsey Hussle, would look like. In 1986, Nip would of been a year old and Black Sam, four. Franklin introduces himself to the family and does his best to seperate the business man from the drug dealer. Hard to do when everything is a reminder. Trying to hide the things young black men idolize, but still giving them hope. I mean Franklin's character changes the black culture forever. That verse alone is Grammy worthy, and listening to this album is the only way to understand.
The Genius schemes are the bold colors that stand out at first glance, but it’s the details to Saint’s Character that’ll start the bidding at a cool M. I’ll be keeping this in heavy rotation. Support the artist and purchase the album here, then hit all streaming platforms. Come back with your takeaways and let’s chop it up.
1L,
Peace.
FGR
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