ALBUM REVIEW: Caesura II by DJ LostNFound

Randy Bazile
Sep 6, 2022
4 min read

*Album Cover Art. Released September 2, 2022*

50 Artists, 1 Album

DJ LostNFound returns with “Caesura II!” More artists, more sounds, more heat, and more artists! The DJ Khaled of Christian Hip Hop went all out with the sequel featuring 50 artists on 1 album. DJ LNF, once again, shows out with excellent curation, crafting not just an album but art.

The album features Reconcile, 350, Jxhn Paul, Aaron Cole, S.O., BigBreeze & more.

PRODUCTION

We got boom-bap, trap, melodic rap, drill & R&B, with a pinch of Spanish music! If you heard the first “Caesura,” you noticed each track’s diversity and a blend of different styles.

“Uncommon Few” is a bar-heavy track. Every artist gave their hardest verse and delivered them excellently! It is pretty much part two of “Roc Tha Mic.” "Foolish" is a laid-back testimonial song. Battz & Bumps INF rap about trying it on their own while playing the fool. Stevie Rizo DELIVERED the hook!

“Bodega Bae” is a love story for NYC. All the artists in the song are from New York. If you’re from New York, particularly in urban neighborhoods, the Latin-influenced sound will bring it back to the summer days and nights the folks in the hood blast their music on the block and the songs that play when you enter a bodega. If you listened to Common’s hit song “I Used To Love H.E.R.,” you will hear the influence. As a Bronxite, I approve of this song!

“Opps” is a heavy drill song, whereas “Give My All” is more of a melodic-drill song. Both songs are dope, with different emotions and messages — more on that in the lyrics section.

“Autopilot” has more of a Post Malone-inspired alternative sound. JP KILLED IT is the only artist on the song. It’s a different sound from DJ LNF. As a master curator, he did well creating this track.

“See You” & “Ride For You” are the R&B songs on the album. Both songs were supposed to be a part of an unreleased R&B EP. Both pieces are dedicated to DJ LNF’s wife and the listener’s significant other. I have to say, Eris Ford is one of my favs; she killed it on “Ride For You.” Her vocals are so beautiful a mix isn’t ALMOST needed!

“What’s The Move” is the single that — in my opinion — sets off the anticipation of “Caesura II.” S.O. delivered a catchy hook; Promise came in with the bars & Aaron Cole…..bro…..he brought home! It’s the best single LNF dropped leading to the album; an absolute summer banger! This song should’ve been featured on the Reach Records Summer Playlist. Just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZdmaFKmTx8

What's The Move featuring S.O., Promise & Aaron Cole

LYRICS

The stories and lyricism on the songs are as dope as the production. Each artist tells their story, ties it in with DJ LNF, or it’s theirs. I LOVE good storytelling, bars, punchlines & metaphors regarding music. “Uncommon Few” had too many bars to count! A sequel to “Roc Tha Mic;” all the artists gave their best!

“Opps” & “Give My All” are my favorites, not just because they’re fire but because of the stories. “Opps” tells the story of urban city kids escaping street life and following the call of God. Tallysama shares her testimony, and it’s powerful, especially in this current climate. “Give My All” spoke to me. It was timely because of the obstacles in my life. This is a reminder always to give your all regardless of the battles. God got you.

“Bogeda Bae!” DJ LNF lived in the Bronx for some years before moving to Texas. He originally wanted to leave on a celebratory note, but COVID said no. He had Ziearre, Eric Cabrera & Terrence Lamar tell his love story to NYC. All of the artists delivered well! Bars & punchlines with NYC references that only a true New Yorker will get.

A cleaver track placement I noticed was “Autopilot” & “Foolish.” On “Autopilot,” JP KILLED IT rap-sings about doing things without realizing it, while “Foolish” is about doing things outside God. The message is clear: Walk in God’s will. Through it all, He will light a path for Thy Way (Psalm 119:105–112). I believe it was intentional to end the album with these songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ClHTJo7WJo

Foolish featuring Battz, Bumps INF & Stevie Rizo

CONCEPT

Like the last album, this is DJ LNF’s return from a long pause to music. Each song is a story of his testimony, commentary on the world, and letters of the heart. The “Caesura” series is also a platform for independent artists to get the shine they deserve. Through both albums, I discovered a lot of dope artists, such as 2 Samuel 151, Daron Stewart, Justcallmedt & Tallysama.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This one is for the culture, by the culture. DJ LNF once again bridges the gaps within the Christian Hip Hop space by bringing indie and mainstream together in one album. What DJ LNF created has never been done before. He made history in Christian Hip Hop with the “Caesura” series. I will say it is the album of the year! @ me.