Categorizing an album from Klassik is no short or simple task. His newest studio release, Young Rising Phenoms, is no exception. While perusing YRP, a fragment of a genre may rise to the surface only to be quickly replaced by a shard of a new style. A much easier assignment would be to compile a list of the Milwaukee artist’s influences, as many are discernible through his use of samples, beats, or lyrics.
While “Boogie” channels Michael Jackson and a dance-era from before Klassik’s time, “Light” hits slightly closer to the here and now. Reminiscent of Common’s “Go,” Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of 2013 blends down-tempo jazz and vocal crooning with a smooth verse. Doubling as producer, Klassik layers the varying components rather than have any element stand out as a sharp change in direction. Perhaps some tunes from the musical melting pot of Chicago floated up I-94 and wafted through an open Milwaukee window. Without a doubt, the creative simplicity of “Light” is as fresh as a Lake Michigan breeze.