Jason Toon, aka Jay2n, cuts through the sound with a bold declaration of purpose, "New Year's Freestyle 2". Combining the spirit of BoomBap with the earthy sense that conscious Hip-Hop will always be defined by, Jay2n once again proves that rhymes are grateful, liveable, even when that's sacrificial. Jay2n, commonly known as the head of JEBO Productions, is a Christian rapper who is not following the trends, instead setting a movement. More of a deliberate and unscrupulous delivery, like someone who knows exactly who he is and why he is here.
It has that classic BoomBap beat, gritty and minimalist, but most importantly, it hits the chest. But the real standout on this whole beat is Jay2n. His flow skates on the track with a controlled agitation, like the calm at the center of a chaotic storm. One that embodies the sound of the golden age of hip-hop but moves beyond it to tell a different story, one grounded in faith, growth, and social consciousness. Jay2n, who has dug deep in his recycle rather than just repeat a surface-level bar.
Jay2n's raps are introspective and full of purpose, with a call to something higher, not just in a spiritual sense, but also creatively. "New Year's Freestyle 2″ is a calling card. It is evident from the outset that Jay2n has come to impact. And Jay2n reminds us in just a couple of minutes why alternative hip-hop and conscious rap matter as a whole. "New Year's Freestyle 2" is a reminder that some artists still feel the need to rap with something tangible to say. Jay2n has, and we should all be listening.
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