After a not-so-well-received debut with 031 to the World (2021), LucasRaps found himself walking a fine line heading into the release of his sophomore album, Y.O.G.
It is with great relief that we share that the Durban-raised (Cape Town-born) rapper has impressed, not only us at Emphasy!, but also the many fans who had grown frustrated with what felt like untapped potential.
On Y.O.G, LucasRaps (born Luke Duncan Malong) sounds like a more mature version of the artist we were first introduced to when he won the inaugural Sportscene Put Me On talent search competition back in 2019. This growth is evident from the opening track, Yours Sincerely, where he moves from thanking his supporters to paying tribute to the late AKA, Costa Titch, and Riky Rick, while also opening up about personal family matters. He delivers all of this with a concise, commanding, and punchy rap style.
LucasRaps continues to shine on records such as Lock In, Wanna Know, The Shepherd, Tall A$$ Mo, and FYF. Like most albums, there are one or two moments that feel less impactful, but they do little to take away from the overall listening experience, thanks in part to a well-curated tracklist and strong sequencing.
Credit must also be given to the featured artists, Rilo Beats, Solo Sae, Ca$h Khali, Sastii, Jepedoh, and Geek Fam, all of whom deliver solid contributions. Keeping the album at ten tracks proves to be a smart decision, allowing for a concise and focused body of work. One area where the album could have pushed further is in its use of vernacular. As a South African artist, leaning more into linguistic diversity could have added an extra layer of identity and depth.
With that said, Y.O.G is a clear step forward. It is not just a comeback, it is a correction. Taking everything into account, we rate the album a solid 7/10.
Beyond the music, LucasRaps continues to show promise in how he carries himself in the public eye. Whether in his sit-down with DJ Speedsta on In Da Park via SlikourOnLife , or his appearance on The Sobering Podcast, he comes across as charismatic, calculated, and intentional. These qualities suggest an artist with longevity, one who has more to offer not just to the South African music scene, but to a broader global audience over time.
With Y.O.G, LucasRaps has proven himself to be the Big Qosh he has always claimed to be.
Listen to Y.O.G by LucasRaps on all music streaming platforms.
So, I reckon Lucasraps has been his own enemy. The poor reception for 031 was more an issue of the hype building to it than it in itself. Paired with poor life decisions like claiming to buy property in Waterfall and unproductive public spats with other rappers hurt his credibility. It was not a bad album, just a bad personality behind it.
For this album, it just sounds like the broer has found his voice, not depending on braggadocio raps to carry the project. Genuine people are relatable and on here we can ‘hear’ him. I saw his interview with Speedsta the other day and my heart was warmed when he gave a shout out to his girl for holding him down for the longest. That’s real and we love to hear and see it.
Lastly, the choice to go with live instruments for a few tracks is also a winner, and I for one cannot wait to see a live performance.
Thank you so much for sharing your take, Lesego. This is exactly the kind of conversation we love to see in the comments.
You make a very valid point regarding 031 to the World. Perhaps the reception would have been better with the absence of the baggage that surrounded the body of work. It was a lesson that clearly had to be learned, and Y.O.G is proof that it has been.
The braggadocio is dialed back. The authenticity is turned all the way up. As we noted in the piece, the maturity shines through from the very first track. The Speedsta interview moment you referenced is a great extension of that same growth – a man who is clearly more comfortable in his own skin, on and off the mic.
The live instruments are a brilliant touch too, and like you, we can not wait to see what that translates to on stage.
~TM