Thurz「YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME」全曲解説。自身のルーツや多面性を表現したLAらしい傑作
After an in-depth interview with @rollingstonejapan, journalist @cplyosuke and translator @vegashokuda provide an album review and breakdown on YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME 🫡 Read the translation below
We interviewed West Coast rapper Thurz . It was featured on the web version of Rolling Stone Japan .
He talked about the beginning of his career, his former rap duo UNI , his memories with Kendrick Lamar , turning points in his career, working with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg , his latest album "YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME" and much more. The translator was Sho Okuda .
During his time with UNI, Thurz was known for his West Coast underground/hipster rap style, but after going solo, he has taken a different route from his duo days, with the serious mood and rock elements of his 2011 album "LA Riot," and the G-Funk-inspired EP "Designer EP" in 2014. " YANNICK KOFFI IN TIME" incorporates a lot of G-Funk, just like "Designer EP," but also takes on TDE -style trap and warm boom bap.
This ties in with Thurz's desire to "express multifacetedness," and after listening to the interview, I felt once again that the theme and sound are closely related.
I do a lot of things as an independent artist, so I wanted a title that represents everything I do. I wanted to appeal to everyone, not just as an artist, and I tried to incorporate all of that into the concept of this project. That's why I chose this title. I'm not only Thurz, I'm also a dad who takes his kids to and from soccer, and I do everything.
Thurz responds to a question about using his real name in the album title
Another feature of this album is the interlude by SIRIHANNA, a "black version of Siri from South Central ." She appears as a "symbol of modern society with advanced AI," and skillfully connects songs from various periods of her 11-year career.
The album starts with "MR. KOFFI INTRO," which has a refreshing morning vibe with beautiful piano and talkbox . The following "ADVISORY" is a G-funk song produced by Mike & Keys , which Thurz himself says is "a song that feels just like the West Coast." He uses a creative vocal technique to rap as if he is playing two roles, again showing the multifaceted nature of Thurz.
Snoop Dogg appears on the next track , "TRUST ISSUES." Produced by Dem Jointz , it has a light beat with hyphy-like bouncy drums and gentle synths. You'll be overwhelmed by Snoop Dogg's incredible rap at the beginning, but Thurz's rap, which switches flows one after another, is also powerful.
"OUTSIDE / 13 EVENTS" is a G-Funk track that was released as a single in 2021 as "OUTSIDE". It is a straightforward West Coast manner sound created by DJ Battlecat , and the hook features a twisted song that is a direct descendant of P-Funk. The "13 EVENTS" part is an interlude by SIRIHANNA. The following "BITCH I'M ME" is a song with a deep bass and a beat that combines a lot of drums, and is rapped on by adjusting the pitch to create multiple voices. You can enjoy Thurz's creative charm that goes beyond just rapping.
"WHERE DO I GO" features CS Armstrong from the same West Coast and GLC from Chicago . It's a Chicago-like groove song with rap over a warm, soulful boom-bap beat. "FEEL ME" is also a mellow and smooth song with a Chicago flavor, where Thurz challenges himself to a Do Or Die -like style with a light, high-speed flow and a singing heart. I also asked about Do Or Die in the interview.
From there , "WHAT YA LIKE LIFE?" takes the mood back to the West Coast. The beat, produced by Sango , uses a deep bass line and has a coolness reminiscent of Soulection , but also has a G-funk flavor. Kay Franklin 's smooth vocal hook is also a pleasant and good song. "GO TOGETHER," which is said to have referenced Outkast , is a song with a spacey beat that reminds one of their "ATLiens" period. The female voice's monotone rap in the hook also has that nuance.
"LIVING ROOM" is a collaboration between Mike & Keys and Jake One . The G-funk bass has a Tuxedo vibe, but it's more sticky than refreshing and danceable. "LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE / OVERDRAWN" is a G-funk song with a lot of material, but the soulful vocal sampling and tight drums also have boom-bap elements. The "OVERDRAWN" part is an interlude by SIRIHANNA.
"JUST A DREAMER" is the oldest song on the album, and uses distorted guitars that are reminiscent of the efforts in "LA Riot." In the hook, Tiffany Gouché shows off her wonderful singing voice with a gentle strength. The beautiful use of strings is also appealing. "LOOKIN BACK," which she cited as a "key song," is a futuristic boom-bap reminiscent of her UNI days. Mez raps crisply in the hook.
"MAX MAX" is a reggae-flavored song featuring Mr. Vegas from Jamaica . Thurz also uses a reggae-like flow, showing another side of himself. "YANNICK KOFFI FREESTYLE" is a cool song with a trap-like beat using hard synths and a monotonous rap. "GOOD PRODUCTION" has a beat like The Neptunes ' attempt at boom bap, but also incorporates a smooth G-funk-like synth to bring out the West Coast color.
After that, the album goes through the interlude "THERAPY" where the band talks on strings , and then to "CLEARLY" where the band loops a friendly synth . The drums are boom-bap-like, which also reminds us of the UNI era. After the interlude "SIRIHANNA" , the album closes with the grand G-funk "SALT WATER" . The beat features a lively bass, a talkbox, and Jimetta Rose and others also sing soulful songs in this West Coast-like song.
What can be felt throughout the album is the diverse aspects of Thurz that are not limited to one thing, and his attitude towards his roots, incorporating the culture of the West Coast where he grew up and Belize, his second home. In an interview, he said, "I always want to incorporate my history into my art," and what makes this album interesting is how he beautifully expresses his attempt with a deep love for culture and an experimental spirit. He plans to release multiple albums this year, but let's get to know the artist Thurz by listening to this masterpiece first, and then look forward to his next work.