Originally uploaded by lilapants

Finally—a hip hop artist from the Bay that isn’t apart of the hyphy movement.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m all about the “electronic” upbeat tempos that make you want to go ghost ridin’ at the sydeshow. But as “Hyphy” becomes synonymous with the “Bay Area”, way too many upcoming hip hop/rap artists are trying to jump on the “hyphy” bandwagon as their ticket to fame.

Lyrics Born breaks this mold completely and it will only be a matter of time before he becomes one of the best West coast artists we have had in a while. His new album, Everywhere at Once, was released last Wednesday, and I must say—this is one of the best hip hop albums my ears have been aching for in the longest time. Overall, the entire album is a blend of the illest lyrics, the most danceable funk beat, and the best alternative styles that you never knew could be put together.

The album begins with “Don’t Change”, an awesome song that sounds like it could have been written for a more rap and modern day Kool and the Gang. The album continues with this feel-good funk on tracks such as “Hott 2 Deff”, “I Like It I Love It”, and “I’m a Phreak”. But don’t think this album is pure funk and does not contain an ounce of Bay Area inspired rhythm—because it does! One of my favorite tracks, “Differences”, is emblematic of the upbeat Bay Area sound that makes you want to start swaying your head and grooving along. It’s the type of song that you’d blast in your car on a sunny day as you sat in 3 hour traffic (if you’re from the Bay Area, just listen to that song and tell me that’s not how you feel). And the blend of different genres doesn’t stop there. “Rules Were Meant to Be Broken” and “Is It the Skin I’m In?” definitely have a slight ‘90s old skool hip hop feel about them, “Top Shelf (Anything U Want)” has a reggae feel, and “Do You Buy It” is a little bit rock and all the more pop.

Only on Lyrics Born’s Everywhere at Once are you going to find this many genres blended so beautifully together. This album is simply brilliant—every song is unique and sets a high standard for hip hop. Lyrics Born definitely has our attention and recognition as one of the best West Coast artists—does he have yours?