The year is 2093, dystopia is upon us, and the chief political leader—in uber-corporate fashion-–dons the title of “CEO”. Less than a week prior to me writing this, rapper and songwriter Noah Oliver Smith, also known as Yeat, released his fourth studio album “2093”. 2093 underwent a grand rollout that included projecting the titular album name on historical sites such as the Empire State Building and the Arc de Triomphe. The flashy promotion for this album mirrors the concept of wealth heard throughout the project.
Although the theme of being exorbitantly rich isn’t particularly distinctive in hip-hop, Yeat does so in a way that incorporates unique hyperbole and an overarching theme–something that is often overlooked in present-day albums. Yeat’s fiscally inspired lyrics take on a different stance than most modern artists, as he assumes the role of a business executive with songs such as “Psycho CEO” and “Team ceo”. In fact, Yeat goes so far as to say he has enough money to purchase the entire planet on the fifth track, “Bought the Earth''. This extreme wealth flaunting marks a thematic continuity with his past work, but when it comes to sound, 2093 ushers in a radically transformed Yeat.
Over the past year, Yeat was subject to a criticism many mainstream hip-hop artists face at the conception of their mainstream career: redundancy. Although I personally always disagreed with the claim that Yeat’s catalog is monotonous, it’s undeniable that his latest offering showcases an evolved sound. Yeat acknowledges his versatility, rapping “I go everything, I go pop and rap” on Familia, a personal favorite. By broadening his sonic palette while staying true to his core aesthetic, he has avoided stagnation while taking a creative leap few artists could pull off so convincingly.
In addition to his evolved sound, Yeat keeps the spotlight squarely on himself throughout 2093. In stark contrast to many albums flooded with an endless parade of features, Yeat's latest offering contains only three guest appearances – Lil Wayne on “Lyfestylё,” Future on “Stand on It,” and Drake on “As we Speak.” The limited features allow Yeat's eccentric style to take center stage. This restraint ultimately serves the album, as Yeat has more than enough charisma and versatility to carry the hour-long runtime solo. The high-profile Drake feature feels organic rather than forced, capitalizing on the momentum from their chart-topping “IDGAF'' collaboration just months prior. By keeping the guest list exclusive, he spotlights his artistic growth into a dynamic hitmaker ready to carry the rap game on his back.
Yeat is adamant that the future unfolds on his terms alone. He wastes no time reveling in past glories, refusing to recycle flows, or sounds like a trader desperate to relive former highs. For Yeat, unexplored terrain lies ahead, not behind. He charges forward with vicious momentum, wholly consumed by the unseen worlds still left to conquer. 2093 makes one thing resoundingly clear: hip-hop's future will bend to fit the wildly singular creative vision of its boldest young voyager. As his album title suggests, Yeat is ahead of the curve, with his atmospheric beats and hypercharged flows constructing the framework of rap's destiny. Adopting the role of “CEO” like a self-fulfilling prophecy, Yeat aims to claim hip-hop’s top position and steer the genre by force of sheer creative will.
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