IN. SECURE-FAVORITE BAR:” SO I PUSH YOU AWAY, CANT HAVE YOU TOO CLOSE/ BUT THEN I WANT YOU BACK YO I BE DOING THE MOST” I love how Taelor has this confrontational conversation with his insecurities. Swoope does a great job with the production and actually makes the track sound as though this track is actually happening within Gray’s head. I love the struggle of the break up with Taelor and his insecurities. The uniqueness of this track makes it a REPEAT OFFENDER!
SCAPEGOATS-FAVORITE BAR:” MY CHURCH IS MOSTLY WHITE, BUT TRUST ME I GOT SOME BROTHERS” As Taelor starts off reminding us that he isn’t the “king of the elephant graveyard“, he addresses the surviving elephants that remain in the room on this album favorite track! He addresses the hypocrisies within the music industry (rap’s blacklist) and it’s marketing mishaps, fickle fans, resurrecting relationships, racism, religion and apathy. Ending with asking for God’s help before we tear the world apart, I see this as my favorite track on the album and a REPEAT OFFENDER!
Overall, I was in awe by the time the album ended. This was one of the few albums that lived up to the expectations that I had for it. Read More Here
Taelor Gray "The Mocker and the Monarch" Album Stream
Music of the Mocker
With any artist related to Christon Gray, you already know you are getting some of the highest quality production in the genre. Production credits range from the likes of Humble Beast’s Daniel Steele, Peace 586, Wit, Wes Pendleton, 42North, and Swoope. There’s nothing but head nodders and smooth records throughout this album.
When listening to #MOCXMON, you won’t get anything “turn up” or “trap,” as those don’t compliment Taelor’s heavy lyrical content. The record is crafted more to accompany what Taelor is saying. He wants you to groove, but he also wants you to pay attention to his lyrics.
It’s very difficult to pick which of these songs are my favorite because each song has a vibe that creates its own world. My personal top three picks would have to be “Gorgeous” featuring B. Reith & Tragic Hero, “In.Secure”, and “Scapegoats.” There is clever sampling going on on these tracks, with a melodic chord progression that moves the spirit, and some break beats that are from such a golden era of music.
Conclusion
Taelor Gray has put together a project that shows the world that he deserves to be in the conversation with the ilk of Christ centered rappers who have lyrical ability baked into their being. The authenticity of his wordplay is evident in every song. It doesn’t feel like “hipster rap” – rap that’s intellectual/wordy for the sake of, but it’s partially simplistic and intricate at the same time. That type of diversity gives this project a high shelf life.
As the shift of content in the genre seems to be moving back to transparency of one’s walk with Christ and the daily battle we face, an album like this is a great example for future artists who want to do the same. Overall, this record speaks clearly about Christian living, while also being real about what things you can face when you declare to live a Christian life. It’s unashamedly speaking against the things that this world tells us to do everyday, but it is very much filled with high lyrical skill.
Taelor Gray’s The Mocker and The Monarch is set to be released Friday, September 4.
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