The indomitable spirit of Kj-52 heavily flavors his fifth and newest album, "The Yearbook," releasing from BEC Recordings on April 10th. It's all heart, all the way.
Five albums shows serious longevity in the ever-fluctuating world of hip-hop, and Kj-52 is definitely one of its more popular contenders. He calls “The Yearbook” his “time capsule,” written in celebration and gratitude for a remarkable year that encompassed the half-mil mark in album sales, a Dove award and two more nominations, and the upcoming birth of his first child. Self-produced (for the most part: Aaron Sprinkle joins in on two tracks), “The Yearbook” serves up 19 tracks written with self-disclosure in mind.
“On this record,” Kj shares, “I want people to really know me more, so I let my guard down more than I ever have before.” These songs cover much personal territory, including a poignant, tender song of dedication to his yet-unborn child, “Always Here For You.” His usual comedic interludes and skits are absent from the new album, but there’s still plenty of fun and games, as on the comical examination of young love, “You Hang Up First,” and the buzzy, tongue-in-cheek track “It Ain’t Easy.” Kj-52 has a lot to say to the doubters, from the fierce metal guitars of “You’ll Never Take Me Down,” to the solid beats of “I Won’t Ever Stop.” But he handles his business with restraint, not attitude, choosing a self-deprecating approach on the funk-driven “Do Yo Thang,” dripping a heavy ‘70s vibe.
“Fan Mail” stands as the album's emotional and spiritual centerpiece, a piercing piano-driven paean to the hurting kids who write in to him. Kj includes snippets of three of those letters in these heart-rending lyrics, and it’s tough stuff, revealing more about what drives his ministry. “The Yearbook” closes out powerfully too, with the upbeat song of commitment, “Take Every Part of Me.” It looks to me like “The Yearbook” will only continue Kj-52’s trend of ever-increasing popularity.
