Def Jux Affiliate Yak Ballz Talks First Album In Four Years

At the pinnacle of the underground Hip Hop movement, Yak Ballz was a New York rapper part of The Weathermen that found success on twelve-inch singles released on Def Jux, Eastern Conference and other labels. After a four year hiatus, Ballz has returned with Scifentology II, his new effort on Flospot Records.

The emcee, who recently graduated college in addition to his work the acclaimed I'll Sleep When You're Dead album by El-P told HipHopDX, "Scifentology II is my most well rounded body of work to date. I dug deep, put it all on the table, and wasn't afraid to be myself by saying what I feel on this record. It's progressive and a step forward in a direction that most Hip Hop artists would never risk taking from the content to production. I've grown as an artist and I'm more focused on the big picture now. I wasn't caught up in making an album that I hoped was going to crossover into mainstream rap like I was in the past. I want my music to bridge new gaps and make new connections for Independent Hip Hop. I really believe there is a definite possibility for that to happen because the wheels are in motion and it has already begun to take place."

The effort, which releases January 29, features Cage and Tame One, as well as production from Aesop Rock.