Stevie Crooks: You Had To Be There
Exotic foreign cars from the 80s, Gold jewelry, and nighttime views of the LA skyline. All things that come to mind while listening to California wordsmith Stevie Crooks. And even though it’s a nice visual it’s just the surface-level introduction to a multifaceted artist finding ways to carve a unique path in the “copy and paste” genre that is rap music. Of course, at 6’9 it’s not really hard to stand out in the first place but it does help when his latest release You Had To Be There Vol 4 stands just as tall as the braggadocios emcee himself.
On the first listen of YHTBT4, I was a bit thrown off by the first track ‘We Outside’. Even after multiple listens it feels a bit outside of the sound of the rest of the album. That being said it has gone from least favorite to top 2 favorite songs on the tracklist. Accompanied by a piano sample and heavy dirty drum kicks ‘We Outside’ finds Stevie Crooks reminding us all that he hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s sitting in his prime at the height of his lyrical abilities and ready to show it off. Although there isn’t some deeper message seeded in here the song simply slaps and doesn’t decrease in replay value when played back to back and really sometimes that’s all you need.
One of the most entertaining things on the album is Stevie’s knack for storytelling. Whether he’s highlighting his harsh beginnings, “Went to sleep broke woke up broker”, or expressing the emotions he went through while dealing with his father’s bout with cancer. Touching moments sprinkled throughout the project on songs like “Prideful”, “His Heart Pt 2” and “Vices” that at times make you want to applaud him for even being able to express it here. Expressions that hit even harder knowing he crafted every lyric over beats he produced himself outside of “Vices”. Hearing the album is hearing more than just the mind of Crooks. You’re listening to his blood sweat and tears in audio form.
Of course, I’d be a bad friend if I told you about a rap album and never highlighted the absolute best rap performance on the album. “Full-Time Job” is Stevie deep in his bag of rhyme schemes and rhythm pockets. While the rest of the album sees Stevie venting and getting his pain and inner thoughts out this song feels more like he felt the need to show us he can punch with the higher-ups. Displaying upper echelon wordplay and breath control Stevie drops bar after bar while maybe not even trying his hardest. I’m saying he’s doing this effortlessly for those who are keeping up.
YHTBT4 is a great way to wrap up Stevie’s year in hip-hop. Showing multiple sides of a very talented artist. With that being said it’s well worth a few of your precious Apple Music Spotify or Tidal gigabytes. It’s a strong showing for Crooks who shows no signs of slowing down my friends. In Fact, he might be on his way to becoming just as iconic as Michael Jordan’s Ferrari.