Coca Shayne

Coca Shayne :: Yesterday'z :: Licorich Records
as reviewed by Aaron Weaver
First impressions can be like neon lighted signs that immediately display who you are. Unfortunately, my first impression of Coca Shayne was that his sign was taped to his back, flashing "kick me" in fluorescent green.

Inside the CD booklet features a WWE-like rant about the "all the fucking sell-out bitches" in the industry as he inventively refers to himself in 3rd person as "the Champ." If that comes off as self-centered, don't' worry, he doesn't forget to thank all his little "snowflakes." I let it go. New rappers have to make themselves stand-out and I'd never seen a thank you list like that before.

However, it only got worse as I went further. The very first song I heard sounded like an ICP spin-off as a high-pitched gremlin voiced rapper sang the inexcusable:

"Attack of the killer tomatoes
I'll pour my ketchup on you"

Stop. Eject.
Let CD sit around for a week.
Feel conscience nab at you.
Dust it off and give it another chance.
Maybe it was just one song?


After listening to a few more songs, a funny thing happened. Through the odd voices came melodies that meshed with instruments and beats and began to form something. The album began to seem like an experiment. This particular experiment involved some particularly devastating formulas which caused certain things to accidentally blow up in the people's faces (killer tomatoes). However, every once in a while the right combination of elements would mold and create the spark seen in an evil doctor's pupils when lightning strikes and brings life to an inanimate entity.

"Don't Tell Me" involves a softer Shayne with an infectious hook that almost sounds descendent of a ‘80s dance room. He actually uses his weird clown voice to harmonize the hook and even though it's odd, it works and it's catchy. The adolescent sound proves to be quite tolerable when not accompanied by adolescent content. "Much Betta" and the title track, both featuring Turban A$h sound original and Coca holds his own. It also should be known that the killer tomatoes song is called "This Acid" so I'll let you draw your own conclusion.

The beats are mostly on-point; almost all demand a head-nod. The lyrics do at times lack depth and the zany delivery can make them really inaudible. However, Coca Shayne and his producer are truly trying something new which should almost always get props in hip-hop. The style could use some fine-tuning and lyrics could use a boost. Other than that, all is well. The sign for Coca Shayne on my 2nd impression read "Experiment in progress."

Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 6 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10

Originally posted: March 1, 2005
source: www.RapReviews.com
- www.RapReviews.com

Coca Shayne
Graham Bailey 10/7/2005
Music Review

"Yesterday’z"

2005 Licorich Records
Score: 1 (of 10)

Lets do a little exercise; think of your favorite band. Got it? Now make a record that completely rips off everything they have done, from music, to content and lyrical delivery.

Not only is Yesterday’z by Coca Shayne one of the worst rap albums ever made, it is also one of the most blatant musical rip-offs to ever be perpetrated. It is one thing to be a crappy musician, like Coca Shayne and his producer/beat-maker Jay Plot 1-3’ra, but it is another thing to be a total hack. If you suck at least be original in your sucking.

From the simple, zany and at times outright weird music, to Shayne’s falsetto rapping (if you can call it that), to the lyrical content, from start to finish Yesterday’z is a complete rip-off of Insane Clown Posse. As crappy as I.C.P. is who would want to rip them off? Apparently Coca Shayne and Jay Plot 1-3’ra want to, as this album really plays like a desperate attempt at a demo made to get the attention of I.C.P. in hopes to get on Psychopathic Records (considering I.C.P. seem to like giving record contracts to shittier versions of their band, like Twiztid.)

Overall: There’s really no need to go much further with a review of Yesterday’z. Suffice it to say that there is a song called "Much Betta" that has lines like: "I like big booty/ Big titties much better/ I hate dry pussy/ Wet pussy much better." That tells you enough in and of itself doesn’t it?
- www.pucknation.com

Coca Shayne
Yesterday'z
Licorich Record$


Suburban white boy rapper Coca Shayne obviously doesn't take himself too seriously. He doesn't claim to come from a bad neighborhood or abusive parents. Instead, songs like "Apple Pie," "Much Betta" and "Sorry Girl" come across as the sophomoric and somewhat vulgar product of a kid who spent a lot of time listening to Licensed To Ill and singing to himself in the mirror. The most obvious comparison would be to Eminem for ability to tell a tale through rhymes, even though Coca's sense of humor is slightly less caustic. However, Coca Shayne (along with partner Turban A$h and producer Jay Plot 1-3'ra) proves himself here as a talented MC in his own right with the ability to evoke a chuckle or two by poking fun at himself and the played-out themes of smoking weed, having sex and street violence that dominate the rap world.

- Jonathan Williams (Music Editor) - www.Prickmag.net

I got this CD a week ago; it was passed onto me by someone else in the zine. When I got it, I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that it was a hip hop album, so I was naturally excited. When I first popped it into my CD player, the introduction, which can only be described as “hypnotic” gave me really high hopes for the rest of this album, but soon after I was disappointed, the rest of the CD didn’t appeal to me as much as the introduction did.



I left the CD for a few days, before deciding that I was a bit too harsh with it, and gave it another chance. To my surprise, the CD started to grow on me. What really got my attention (besides the very trippy beats that would put Dre, Lil Jon, and Pharrell to shame) were the lyrics. Coca’s lyrics are very different then what's being heard right now, and I really can't see any of his songs being "radio friendly", which I happen to like.



Overall I think this is a good CD. Maybe you might disregard Coca’s unorthodox style with one listen, or maybe you’ll be like me and enjoy it after a few listens. Personally, I’m looking forward to what Coca has in store for us next.
- www.viruszine.com

It takes a couple of listens to appreciate this record. The first time I heard it, it was like what? Next! This is the debut record from California's Coca Shayne. And a weird affair it is. Having said that, however, it is also an entertaining affair.

The rapper has a high nasal delivery that is borderline annoying at first. He has been described as "a perverted mother goose and Grimm storyteller," and that's not far from the truth.

Yesterday'z is a nine cut set (counting intro and weird interludes) that runs 26:46. The intro is spoken by Jay Plot (I think) who mixed, arranged and produced the record. The record was also put out on his label Licorich Records, which has sold over 30,000 units so far - all underground.

The production on this release is very good. There are a number of great beats and the songs have an Eminem feel to them with vivid story lines. "Apple Pie," the first cut, has a looped keyboard riff that gives it a mysterious vibe. There are additional good beats on "This Acid," along with some weird vocals.

The best production belongs to "Frog Song" in spite of some strange lyrics. "Much Betta" has some coarse lyrical matter but a good flow nonetheless. A standout cut is "Sorry Girl" with a simple but bangin' beat, and here Coca's rhymes shine. Label-mate Turban Ash and Jay Plot are also featured.

By the time you near the end of the record, you get used to Coca's vocals and it makes songs like "Don't Tell Me" a joy. The jewel of the set is the title track. An excellent piano-featured beat sets the stage for some great verses from Coca and Turban Ash. It's almost worth buying the record for this cut.

This is a great debut from an artist we should be hearing a lot from in the future as both his lyrics and delivery develop. In the meantime, if you're looking for something different than the average release, this is for you.
- www.nowontour.com

This is Coca Shayne’s debut album for Licorich Records but he’s already owned some fame as being named All Access Magazine’s Best Urban/Hip-Hop/RnB Band/Artist in ’04. His unorthodox lyrical style reminds of Eminem as does the color of his skin—yep he’s a cracker trying to burst through in a scene most dominated by black men. The production even for a small label is pretty tremendous. And while this probably won’t appeal to everyone with its weird nursery rhyme feel it’s sure to capture plenty. Isn’t that what hip-hop is all about anyways? - www.smother.net

Licorich Records (www.licorichrecords.com) have released their album, ‘The Compilation Volume 1’ – as an introduction to the artists on their roster. With MCs Turban A$h, Mack Lish, Bai-Boy, Coca Shayne and Gerald James alongside producer and label head Jay Plot and singer Roxie Sakura Licorich Records already have quite a good sized line up and it is good to see them supporting one-another on this album. Diversity is the name of the game with Licorich Records with the twisted bragging hardcore of, ‘So Now You Know’ rubbing shoulders with the pop-tinged Brandy-ish, ‘Till I Get There.’ Some tracks are bound to hit home harder than others and with the diversity of their artists Licorich are perhaps best checked out in person. Fortunately their site carries audio snippets of most of the tracks… - www.globalcypher.com