While one has to applaud Yasiin Bey and Ferrari Sheppard’s bold artistic approach that dares to push the boundaries of current contemporary music conventions and explore new ideas (especially for a Hip-Hop album), December 99th is without a doubt, a hard-lined acquired taste for many. However, novelty aside in regards to December 99th the project simply, unfortunately, lacks the energy and tenacity to match its bold and decidedly alternative sound. Also, not unlike Awaken, My Love!, whether or not fans will embrace or reject the project really depends on one’s musical taste and expectations production-wise from the respective artists. December 99th, much like Childish Gambino’s Awaken, My Love! is another highly anticipated project from a critically acclaimed artist that attempts to deliver an intriguing and unique product that most fans and listeners were not expecting, nor exactly asking for daring to push them into unexpected new directions and territories. This bold artistic position is certainly a far cry from Bey’s past aggressive, intricate lyrical stylings and a departure from the heavy sample-based production the Brooklyn emcee has come to be known for and utilize throughout a majority of his career. On December 99th, Yasiin Bey by in large abandons his signature rhyme style in favor of subdued, ambient vocals laced over Ferrari Sheppard’s spacey, minimalist production. Initial reactions from fans and listeners, however, have been mixed, to say the least, and have polarized listeners and long-time fans. The duo has also been making the rounds on media leading up the album’s release, performing select tracks from the album on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon as well as a highly applauded farewell show at the Apollo Theater. Sheppard, who was working as a photographer and journalist at the time quietly began making music and the two soon began collaborating and recording material in South Africa that would eventually end up on December 99th. Bey and Sheppard’s friendship dates back to 2013 when the two artists met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and began collaborating on various visual art and web projects. December 99th, likewise, also serves as Sheppard’s professional debut as a producer. Debuting as a ‘TIDAL exclusive’ available solely through the streaming service, December 99th is not only Yasiin Bey’s first release since 2009’s Ecstatic but his first full-length collaborative effort with another artist since his debut collaborative Black Star album with Talib Kweli nearly 18 years ago in 1998. Supposedly Bey’s final album, December 99th also serves as the group’s moniker. Originally scheduled for a December 9th release and pushed back for unknown reasons, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) and Chicago-based producer Ferrari Sheppard have finally released their highly anticipated collaborative effort December 99th.
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