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.
Secrets of the Path
Yugen Blakrok Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feels like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded...
In my hand I possess the knowledge of a
sweet new way into the Secret Element, fires fade
Upon the altar where godheads are displayed
I am The Cloudy Daughter – center of
the storm, rising outta swirling water
My stature will surpass the stars
Venus of the mist whose light can be seen from afar
Burns eternal like the battle of Seth and Ra
But these blue wings will carry I into the Essence of All
We were heroes, long ago, before the legends of the fall
Building temples in the sky, rising high above nine
To fight alike, spears sharper than stalagmites
Gaining access to cosmic divine methods
Cause none dare to question the might of Akasha's records
Spirit guides join forces as we come undone, become one
The mystic Number of the Sun
Shed the skin, shrink the iris, human don't corrupt I
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feel like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded, tryina outrun the ticking of these heart paces
Shed the skin, shrink the iris, human don't corrupt I
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feel like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded, focus faded
What kinda ism is this?
We're like light thru a prism before the schism is killed
In the prison of sleep... I keep rhyming through bars, lucid dreaming
Heard that love's brighter from the outside, believe it
This morning when life woke up, I dove back down into slumber
Cuz in-between realities, there's glitches when I stutter
Sleep-talking formula with in-breath
Exhale solutions, scientist in me is inbred
My language traps the tongue - caught in
diction mazes lost for days - in hazy blazes
While fiery words transcend these mortal planes
My verbal play's like smoke signals, home of the braves
And wild style thoughts can spray when the clouds spell riverclay
Psycho-analyst type in-between-the-lines reader
Deciphering codes beneath the eyelids as a dreamer
Diving deeper into abstract, non-conformity
My realest self's created thru celestial artistry
Shed the skin, shrink the iris, human don't corrupt I
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feel like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded, tryina outrun the ticking of these heart paces
Shed the skin, shrink the iris, human don't corrupt I
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feel like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded, focus faded
In "Secrets of the Path," Yugen Blakrok opens with "corrupt I," acknowledging the danger of succumbing to the corrupting influence of power and fame. She then goes on to describe her journey towards enlightenment, holding "the knowledge of a sweet new way into the Secret Element." Yugen identifies herself as "The Cloudy Daughter" who rises above the storms and possesses an eternal light. She references mythology, likening herself to Venus and comparing her wings to those of the gods. Yugen describes a time when all humanity was united in the quest for the divine, building temples in the sky to access cosmic knowledge. She foresees a future where humanity can once again access this knowledge and transcend the limitations of mortal life.
Throughout the song, Yugen Blakrok also delves into themes of language, dreaming, and self-discovery. She talks about trapped language and the power of words to transcend physical limitations. Yugen also touches upon the idea of lucid dreaming and the ways in which the dream state can be a place of exploration and revelation. She ultimately sees herself as a "celestial artist" who seeks to identify her "realest self" through the process of creating and exploring.
Line by Line Meaning
Corrupt I
I cannot be corrupted
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
My words are straightforward and powerful, I am a master of language
Feels like I'm chasing tracers
I am struggling to keep up with something that is constantly moving
Focus faded...
I am losing my concentration
In my hand I possess the knowledge of a
sweet new way into the Secret Element, fires fade
Upon the altar where godheads are displayed
Eternal rapture of the soul incarnates with no stains
I have discovered a new path to enlightenment that brings me inner peace and purity
I am The Cloudy Daughter – center of
the storm, rising outta swirling water
My stature will surpass the stars
Venus of the mist whose light can be seen from afar
Burns eternal like the battle of Seth and Ra
But these blue wings will carry I into the Essence of All
I am a powerful force of nature, destined for greatness, my spirit will endure forever
We were heroes, long ago, before the legends of the fall
Building temples in the sky, rising high above nine
To fight alike, spears sharper than stalagmites
Gaining access to cosmic divine methods
Cause none dare to question the might of Akasha's records
Spirit guides join forces as we come undone, become one
The mystic Number of the Sun
In ancient times we were heroic warriors, who fought with divine weapons and powers, connected to the universe and its eternal wisdom
Shed the skin, shrink the iris, human don't corrupt I
Frank when I speak, chief wordsmith alumni
Feel like I'm chasing tracers
Focus faded, tryina outrun the ticking of these heart paces
I must shed my human limitations in order to stay pure and focused, my words are honest and powerful but I struggle to keep up with the fast pace of life
What kinda ism is this?
We're like light thru a prism before the schism is killed
In the prison of sleep... I keep rhyming through bars, lucid dreaming
Heard that love's brighter from the outside, believe it
This morning when life woke up, I dove back down into slumber
Cuz in-between realities, there's glitches when I stutter
I am questioning the nature of our existence and the divisions that separate us, I am exploring the barriers that we face in our dreams, and I am seeking to understand the true nature of love
Sleep-talking formula with in-breath
Exhale solutions, scientist in me is inbred
My language traps the tongue - caught in
diction mazes lost for days - in hazy blazes
While fiery words transcend these mortal planes
My verbal play's like smoke signals, home of the braves
And wild style thoughts can spray when the clouds spell riverclay
Psycho-analyst type in-between-the-lines reader
Deciphering codes beneath the eyelids as a dreamer
Diving deeper into abstract, non-conformity
My realest self's created thru celestial artistry
I am a master of language, exploring the hidden meanings and symbolism in our world, seeking to understand the nature of reality through the power of my own words and creativity
Contributed by Audrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Enthusiastic Nihilst
Shivers down my back, that's when you know you found a dope artist.
Crate Baptist
She’s incredibly slept on. Such a dope artist
khanya s
dope, i feel like this is'nt as big as it should be.
Brian BigBoss
Here's hoping her feat on Opps broadcasts her talent.
Big Viel
That's just the way it is I guess. Good music get's slept on, but finds it's niche in the "underground" so to speak. I think the majority of people are to empty to enjoy music with any substance.
paramorphosi
great artist, great album
bongani champane
this chick is slept on she aint getting the recognition she deserves she got kendricks lamars ryhming scheme and flow mixed with a kinda of mob deep and wu tang mixed in one,,im vibing to this...
Resifreak
lovely beat <3
Bliss Bindope
That concrete. complex. composition. Bless.
CYAN KHOURY
ethereal anti gravity you rock blakrok xxx