Gaining recognition through various features and live shows, Yugen has been on the SA scene for over a decade. After joining indie label Iapetus Records in 2009, home to artists such as the late great Robo, Hymphatic Thabs and Fifi the RaiBlaster, she teamed up with Sampletologist Kanif the Jhatmaster, releasing several videos and singles, leading up to her debut album.
‘Return of the Astro-Goth’ (2013) was well received by the Hip-Hop community worldwide, receiving several five star ratings, and caught the attention of renowned Hip-Hop veterans such as Chuck D and Sage Francis. It also saw her nominated three times at the 2014 SA Hip-Hop awards, in the best Lyricist, best Newcomer and best Female categories.
Having toured Europe several times, Yugen has opened for Hip-Hop legends such as MC Lyte (Germany/Switzerland), Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Denmark) and Edo G (Austria), and was the opening act at world renowned Hip-Hop Kemp in Czech Republic in 2016.
Back home in SA she has performed alongside names such as Public Enemy (2012), Sage Francis (2015) and Jeru the Damaja (2016).
She has also featured on several international collaborations, releasing music with artists such as Jak Progresso, Naomi Pilgrim, Copywrite, Von Poe VII and Bradata of Dusted Wax Kingdom.
Her sound is a mix of sci-fi soundscapes, hard drums and meditative melodies, over which Blakrok’s words command vivid attention. Live the room often moves as one, as in a trance, led through the acoustic void.
Currently perfecting her spells and putting final touches to her follow up album deep in the basements of Iapetus, she sometimes emerges to collect writing paper or moonbeams.
Mars Attacks
Yugen Blakrok Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last sight silver light, aboard a satellite
Supreme being with glowing orb makes altar out of meteorite
Scientific logic defied by cosmic origin
Separate the adept from the novices
The bipedal steps into the future, entranced by the bugler
Dancing on the killing fields, babies blast bazookas
Encoded to mind control the inanimate
Master and ronin
quantum roller coasting with Dr Oct supernovas imploding
In the depths of the red planet, slow composed
Conquer where I roam, the deep end for shallow souls
The show shoultopper, under a spacebeam spasm like Joe Cocker
The feeble-mind shocker
In ultraviolet hours, searching for blue flowerspsychedelic relics my power
Aesthetic embedded in planetary showers
In "Mars Attacks," Yugen Blakrok paints a vivid picture of a sci-fi world where the rules of logic and rationality are obsolete. The first verse describes a "Supreme being with glowing orb" who turns a meteorite into an altar. This suggests a deity-like figure with powers beyond human comprehension. Yugen contrasts this with the phrase "scientific logic defied by cosmic origin," indicating that the natural order of things is being challenged by cosmic forces.
In the second verse, Yugen takes us on a journey through this otherworldly landscape, where even babies are armed with bazookas. The phrase "twisted tales of entanglement" conveys a sense of confusion and uncertainty; we are not sure who or what is in control. The mention of mind control suggests that there may be forces at work beyond our comprehension.
The third verse introduces a character who is exploring the depths of the red planet. The lines "conquer where I roam, the deep end for shallow souls" suggest a sense of power and dominance. The phrase "quantum roller coasting with Dr Oct supernovas imploding" creates a sense of chaos and unpredictability. Yugen ends the song on a powerful note, with the line "aesthetic embedded in planetary showers," suggesting that even in this strange and unfamiliar world, beauty and art can still be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Last sight silver light, aboard a satellite
On a space mission, the singer sees a shining light before leaving Earth.
Supreme being with glowing orb makes altar out of meteorite
An advanced being performs a religious ritual using a space rock.
Scientific logic defied by cosmic origin
The laws of science are challenged by the mysteries of the universe.
Separate the adept from the novices
Those with deep knowledge are distinguished from the inexperienced.
The bipedal steps into the future, entranced by the bugler
Humanity moves forward, mesmerized by an unknown force.
Dancing on the killing fields, babies blast bazookas
Children play in a warzone, oblivious to the danger around them.
Twisted tales of entanglement, each chapter written on a tablet
Complicated stories of connection and conflict are recorded for posterity.
Encoded to mind control the inanimate
The stories have a hidden power to manipulate lifeless objects.
Master and ronin
A relationship between teacher and student, where the student has become a skilled warrior without a master.
quantum roller coasting with Dr Oct supernovas imploding
A metaphor for the wild ride of exploring the mysteries of the universe.
In the depths of the red planet, slow composed
The singer is calm and collected while exploring the dangerous environment of Mars.
Conquer where I roam, the deep end for shallow souls
The artist is adventurous, willing to explore the unknown while others are afraid to take risks.
The show shoultopper, under a spacebeam spasm like Joe Cocker
The singer is a standout performer, likened to the energy of musician Joe Cocker.
The feeble-mind shocker
The singer's intellect and wit can surprise and amaze others.
In ultraviolet hours, searching for blue flowers
During strange moments of time, the singer seeks out something unique and special.
psychedelic relics my power
The artist's connection to psychedelic experiences gives them strength and insight.
Aesthetic embedded in planetary showers
Beauty and art can be found in the natural phenomena of the universe.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Keith Thornton, Nokuthula Qaqamba Ndodana
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T M
This would have so many views if it was on a larger label with some marketing behind it.
T M
This is so good
starcrusher
so fucking sick. i just found yugen she's becoming one of my favorite emcees rapidly
G GP
When I first heard her, her style kinda reminded me of Kool Keith. Then I saw this song... feat. Kool Keith... whaaaaat
Funk Your Head Up
Sinister beat + Keith = Love it
Blorglbl
awesome kool keith collab
organikness
Law of One.... Infinite Intelligence
Matthew Adams
🤯 Octagon+Coldcut+SouthAfrikaans
Atomic Chronic
siiick