SIR KN8: YLALO / EVENTS [PREMIERE]

Sir KN8 (pronounced Sir Nate) is an NYC-based adjunct lecturer in Classics at Hunter College who moonlights as a rather philosophical rapper, and we’re happy to premiere two tracks from him: “YLALO” and “EVENTS.” These bad boys are taken from his upcoming full-length THROBS OF EXPERIENCE, which seems like a pretty intense release, judging from the title at least. In any case, click play and keep reading.

“YLALO” tells a story about acronyms used frequently in hip-hop, beginning with the Drake-branded “you only live once,” or “YOLO.” KN8 views this as a pretty strong assumption – and, philosophically speaking, he isn’t wrong. Life after death is unknowable stuff, so basically any strong metaphysical statements on that subject are going to be as non-rational as “God exists” or “God doesn’t exist and you’re dumb for thinking so.” The second acronym we’re treated to is “YALA,” or “you always live again”; KN8 says the same objection applies, and decides to shoot for something safer, something in the middle ground. YLALO. You live at least once.

This commanding, grin-inducing tidbit is delivered over thumping bassline and whooping horn parts, which I honestly didn’t think hard about until the track was well underway. The production on this one is real subtle, and its most noticeable sample is probably a harmon-muted trumpet part that makes me think of Tribe beats. Sir KN8 has been compared to early-era Beck before, and here it seems like a particularly appropriate reference – KN8 deals in witticisms and smooth hybrid production with all the same swagger. The second track on this premiere, “EVENTS,” is a much shorter one that pokes fun at all the thought (too much thought) that goes into attending an event before it goes down with chop-and-screw production that reminds me strongly of The Avalanches.

All in all, this is a pretty strong showing – keep up with Sir KN8 on facebook and go stream more of his music on soundcloud.