The Statement is a somewhat ironic title for
Young Sicc's debut album, because the main thing that this young Latin rapper from San Diego wants to say is, well, that he's a young Latin rapper from San Diego, and that he's, y'know, representin' for young Latin rappers from San Diego 'n' stuff. Only he says it with a lot more swearing than that. Along with the clichéd lyrics, the beats are competent but not particularly interesting in the typical West Coast gangsta style. The only truly awful thing about
The Statement is the opening skit, which features some of the most wooden line readings ever heard on a hip-hop album, but while
Young Sicc is clearly a talented rapper with a rapid-fire but conversational flow with flashes of sharp, ironic humor, it would help a lot if he cast a wider lyrical net. ~ Stewart Mason