Upcoming hip-hop artists seem to be paving their own paths, instead of following the ways of the mainstream artists in the game - whether it being intensity, sophisticated word play or maybe even just some underground artists that can't be found outside of SoundCloud. Everyday, countless songs, albums, mixtapes are recorded or released for the world to dissect and take in however they please to.
Jesse Cordasco, better known by his stage name of Nyck Caution or even NYCk Caution, is doing this very thing. Ever hear of him? More than likely you haven't, like I was, just last week. When you look him up, you don't see a-whole-lot there, a couple SoundCloud links, Twitter handle, Instagram page and oh, a Wikipedia page with a little information on the rapper. Quite a bit of his work has been with the group Pro-Era, a string of Brooklyn originated rappers who include - among others- Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight and even the deceased Capital STEEZ. But recently, he's ventured out on his own, to record and drop an album, "Disguise the Limit."
Now, an argument can be made about this work being classified as a mixtape, or an album. But, being this can be purchased on iTunes, for this review, it will be called an album.
Caution kicks off this catchy, slightly obsessive album with a quiet, build up in the intro, and before you know it, the rhymes hit quicker than you can process them. For the record, when "quicker" is used here, it's not an indication that the MC's flow is quick and fast, no. It's the metaphors, flow, the smooth lines he throws at you, that makes this a "quick" song. He ends the introductive song, on another smooth transition into track two, which kicks off with a skit.
The album goes on from one song to another, and you'll see soon, why I am writing about "Disguise the Limit." Personally, track three - Baptize - is the hottest song on this project. The beat itself, will catch your interest, let alone the words of this song. In it though, Nyck talks about his non-belief in religion and how his father made him go through with baptism - a play on words, right? While you sit and listen to the metaphors, the word play, and the intensity of the song, you know that he wants this, and wants to make an impact with his music.
He summons help of a few underground rappers, to help make this album possible. Probably the only MC you will notice, and pick out of the group of features, would be Joey Bada$$, a mainstream artist who also originates from the Pro-Era roster. Bada$$ - whose often been referred to a young Nas because of his complex, intense dialogue and word play - offers you some of that mainstream-success on this kid's release. Tracks "Crucifix" and "What's Understood" is where you can find the 21-year old rap artist, where he makes an impact with his verses. Another featured rapper, Kirk Knight, can be found on this project and who is also only 20 years young. Knight's verse on Show No Love is bold, obsessive and intense, and being only 20, it's scary to think about how he can improve himself as he matures, learns from the environment he is in, and how dangerous he could really be with a mic in his hand.
As you listen to this album, you can hear his passion in every line he throws at you. Nyck Caution is an upcoming artist, and if you're not paying attention, he will take over the charts and you'll be left wondering where this kid came from. All in all, this album is very well put together, and something a person can listen to on repeat over and over again. This rapper has a bright future, and he's out for blood. Expect this kid to get big, and when he does, it will be over night. I have searched and searched for something negative about this album, but personally, I cannot find anything wrong with it. Like that was mentioned before, this project is very well put together, the flows and metaphors are clean, and Caution just goes off to show us what he is made of.
In conclusion; be ready to have this album on repeat. He will leave you wanting more, and you will be searching his name on Google after the last beat plays in your ear.
10/10