Based on the title alone, 8ky’s Fxck Yeah: Chaos To Consciousness alludes to a highly personal evolution of character and artistry. Backed by sonically diverse production, that’s exactly what the 30-track venture turns out to be. Essentially a two-part album, the first 15 offerings are intended to represent the mayhem life can often present and the last 15 are meant to explain his spiritual awakening, something he definitely masters.
As one-half of the electronic rap duo LMFAO (known then as SkyBlu), the Los Angeles native experienced a meteoric rise to fame in 2009 and rode the wave of superstardom for five years until he and fellow member RedFoo amicably parted ways (RedFoo is actually 8ky’s paternal uncle). During their tenure as a tandem, they sold nearly 10 million copies of their hit single “Party Rock Anthem,” were nominated for a GRAMMY, won eight Billboard awards, and traveled the world multiple times performing for their dedicated fanbase. All of the attention came with a cost and not everything was as it seemed, which he tackles on “Mixed Up,” one of the most stripped down, introspective tracks on the album. It describes a time LMFAO was opening for Kanye West and the unexpected disappointment that came along with meeting one of his musical heroes.
“I couldn’t wait to meet Kanye/I was waiting for him backstage/But everything ain’t all as it seems/We opened up that night/To me, that’s a dream/I saw him in the hallway, he saw me in the hallway/I said ‘What up Kanye, I’m 8ky’/He had a bodyguard with him/Some more guards with him/And that’s when he looked me in my eye/He was upset at a remix we made…it was a compliment because we did what you do/I used to look up to you/But now I feel like a fool,” he details with a sense of utter devastation in his voice.
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The mansions, fancy cars, celebrity status, fat checks, and adoration were presumably enticing for a while, but the business side of the music industry was weighing on him. As he mentioned in a recent DX Live interview, at one point he was “negative $70” in his bank account because of all the money held up by his label.
Despite his struggles, however, Fxck Yeah is a story of triumph and address a myriad of topics that gives the listener insight into what makes 8ky the man he is today as he continues carving out a reputable solo career of his own. From politics, corporate America and his first experience with cocaine to relationships, spirituality, and perseverance, he runs a gamut of emotions as he raps over a Country Buffet of beats, a testament to his immeasurable talent and versatility.
For example, “Diamonds (featuring Kitty K)” offers more of a trap vibe, while “Automatic” and “Certified (with K.G. Superstar)” revisits his LMFAO days with its high octane dance music and bass-heavy sound. True to its design, it pivots precisely at track 16 with the aforementioned “Mixed Up,” turning to a slower pace, which allows his narrative verses to truly stand out.
Aside from the occasionally vacuous lyrics (e.g. “Nasty” and “Fortune 500”), the sheer volume of musical output is the project’s only perceived weakness. In what could have been achieved in 15-tracks instead gets doubled and, at times, it can feel like an exhausting task to decipher the meaning behind every song. Although if taken at face value, it’s possible it can be enjoyed as a fun party album if nothing else.
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As it finally comes to a close, songs like “Follow the Light” (featuring Dave B.) and “Synchronicity” offer a summary of what Fxck Yeah: Chaos To Consciousness is seemingly all about—finding the positivity in life and morphing into the best version of yourself, a mission 8ky is clearly accomplishing one step at a time.
