YSIV

Over three mixtapes, Logic\'s alter ego, Young Sinatra, allowed the Maryland MC to indulge in his deepest boom-bap fantasies, embracing the lyrical grace and raw beats of rap\'s vaunted late-\'80s/early-\'90s golden era. *YSIV*, his fourth under the Young Sinatra moniker, continues the theme, flowing over Incredible Bongo Band breaks on “100 Miles and Running” and giving Nas and AZ\'s “Life\'s a Bitch” chorus new life on “YSIV.” “ICONIC” and “The Return” find Logic hungrily attacking the tracks, showing off his rapid-fire dexterity. Old-school heads will salute him for assembling the entire Wu-Tang Clan (Jackpot Scotty Wotty fills in for the late ODB) on “Wu Tang Forever.” And, this being a Logic joint, there’s lots of philosophizing, too, especially about self-identity, dreams, and gratefulness (“One Day,” “The Glorious Five,” “Thank You,” “Legacy”). At various times during *YSIV*, Logic swears this is his last Young Sinatra album. It’d be easier to believe if he wasn’t having so much fun.

Over some dusty boom-bap, the undoubtedly talented Logic spends just way too much time trying to forcibly cement his place in hip-hop history.

Chart-topping rapper Logic positions himself as a scrappy underdog with go-getter ambition and complex bars on new album, 'YSIV'

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