Lex Nekst

The Atlanta-based rap artist KidSyc describes his latest release The K.I.D. as “not quite an album, but much more than a mixtape.” The honest lyrics, reckless freestyles, and occasional braggadocio keeps the production firmly grounded in southern hip hop mixtape culture, while a few tracks, including the standout “Die”, could be a hit anywhere. On “Different” KidSyc challenges the listener to “Find a rapper you can call me worse than/With better flow, rhyme schemes, and awesome wordplay”. The flow is impressive, the thoughtfulness and substance of the lyrics even more so. In ten tracks KidSyc exalts, entices, entertains and shows rap the way out of a mindless booty beat wilderness into the twenty-first century.

Opener “Die” floats a cool brass loop over a breezy beat while KidSyc ruminates on mortality between breathy, haunting choruses. The tempo heats up on “Fire” and quickens on “Golden Void” as deft rhymes are unleashed with Mortal Kombat-esque velocity. Producer Alex Goose keeps the mix fairly clean throughout The K.I.D. Kidsyc’s flow doesn’t require a lot of fancy dressing; his mic skills provide all the fireworks. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the two tracks “Hold The Line Freestyle” and “Spaz_Freestyle”. The rapper turns his talent loose spouting off-the-cuff freakouts about yellow submarines, Salvador Dali, and supreme pizzas.

“Syc’s Back” and “Victory” busts out the braggadocio. The ‘comeback’ and ‘triumph’ themes have been tried-and-true rap staples since before LL Cool J’s “Mamma Said Knock You Out”. You can’t quite swallow “Syc’s Back” because he hasn’t been here for years. But The K.I.D. has got something special that could lift him up above an already exceptional hip hop scene. If Lloyd “KidSyc” Harold continues his upward trajectory, combing thoughtful rhymes with slick beats, he might be a lot closer to “Victory” than people know. - Art Nouveau Magazine

ATLANTA – A Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE recipient has found a heap of harmony with four musicians in Savannah. Together the five-member group KidSyc@Brandywine, who formed last March, is on a momentous track to stardom. The group is competing as top 12 finalists in the Georgia Lottery’s All Access Music Search.
Lloyd Harold, aka KidSyc and the group’s lead rapper, teaches art at an elementary school in Savannah. He received the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship while attending Savannah College of Art and Design. The 25-year-old said the benefits as a recipient were wonderful.
“That’s what kept me motivated,” he said. “That and mom.”
Harold refers to his style of music as “living hip-hop” since each performance is different. He describes the music as organic and ever-changing.
The band plays live instruments, infusing it with Harold’s lyrics. Band members of KidSyc@Brandywine include Charles Hodge, Lane Gardner, Daniel Butler and Derrick Larry.
“So far we have used it to our advantage,” said Butler, 21.
KidSyc@Brandywine has won the Sweetwater 2010 GearFest competition. They toured the facility in Indiana and played 15 songs on the Sweetwater sound stage. - www.galottery.com