Logic’s latest album features many different artists

‘Young Sinatra IV’ is abundant with disses, reflections and collabs

Kaitlynn Breeden, Staff Writer

After announcing his upcoming album on his “YSIV” freestyle in August, Logic released his fourth “Young Sinatra” album on Sept. 28. “Young Sinatra IV” has 14 tracks total, featuring artists like Hailee Steinfeld, Ryan Tedder, Wale, the entire Wu-Tang Clan, John Lindahl and Jaden Smith.

Meanwhile, production is handled by 6ix, CuBeatz, Kevin Randolph, and Logic himself, among others.

The album starts out with a skit on “Thank you,” a sweet track featuring Lucy Rose and various voicemails from Logic fans around the world. Logic references his fans “The Rattpack” a lot in his work, thanking them for supporting him throughout his career.

In “Iconic,” one of the more aggressive tracks on the record, the Jaden Smith feature brings even more hype to it. Logic’s verses flame his haters, the big beat adding that extra power. Logic establishes his dominance several times throughout the record, including in “Everybody Dies” and “The Return.”

“Wu Tang Forever” is most noticeably old-school, featuring verses from all of Wu-Tang Clan’s members: Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA.

Chiller beats like the ones in “One Day” with Ryan Tedder and “Ordinary Day” with Hailee Steinfeld allow for Logic to get a bit more intimate with his audience to keep that connection going.

The self-titled track on the album pays homage to late rapper Mac Miller. Logic talks about the impact Miller had on him and his career. On the outro of the song, Logic talks about how Miller inspired him to take the chance at music.

“Mac showed me that I could just do it all on my own,” Logic raps. “Me and my boys, all my homies and if it wasn’t for him killing that beat I would have never got on that beat for my first mixtape ‘Young Broke and Infamous.’”

He slows it down on emotional tracks “Legacy,” “Glorious Five,” “Last Call,” creating music with a purpose and a message to uplift and deconstruct the barriers between listeners and their struggles.

Another side to what makes “YSIV” a great Logic album is he’s not afraid to get personal. Tracks like “Legacy” and “Sweet Dreams II” dig into really dark places for him, including his recent divorce.

“Legacy” is an interesting song on the album. It’s written from the perspective of Logic having a family that he is neglecting. He raps about missing important days in his kids’ lives that he should’ve been there for. He works so much that he is afraid that when he finally has a family he will not have time to make it their special days in life. This part of him thinks it’s worth it, even though in the back of his head he wishes to spend time with them.

The song ends on Logic waking up from his daydream and realizing that he’s on the back of the tour bus.

“I wish I could get back and then I realize that all this shit is just a daydream,” Logic raps. “And there’s only like four of us on the tour bus. And I’m in the back, how about that? Thinkin’ ’bout my legacy, and how we as human beings sacrifice health for money. Ain’t it funny?”

The closing track “Last Call” is a ten minute very intimate closer. Logic sampled “Last Call” by Kanye West and used the same speaking for most of the intro before the reflective beat lets Logic recall some of his struggles and appreciate where he is now. He tells his story and thanks every person who has helped shape him in some way.

At the end of the song, Logic confirms his next album “Ultra 85” but there is no set date yet.

Logic gets old-school in “YSIV,” digging into his past and hip-hop’s roots to deliver a personal and dynamic record. There are songs to chill to and songs to reflect with, which adds a good balance. “Young Sinatra IV” is an end to an era, but fans can still look forward to different projects from Logic.