YBN Cordae’s debut album titled “The Lost Boy” is a story of hopeful and humble self-confidence. It enters the never-ending debate between old school and new school hip hop as a testament that authenticity and lyricism are not relics of the past for the younger generation.

“The Lost Boy” takes the listener through the rugged and turbulent path that YBN Cordae has had to overcome thus far. The early chapters of his story, much like those of many others who have made the genre what it is today, delve into the obstacles that always accompany success. Here, “The Lost Boy” could have easily gone down an already beaten path, repeating and failing to separate itself from a traditional rags to riches story arc; instead, YBN Cordae’s positivity and self-awareness of the distortion that fills his life guides the work to a place of its own.

“The Lost Boy” is a see saw of perspectives: on the one side are those that are engrained in us from our childhoods and the people most important in our lives; meanwhile, the other side is home to new found ones which accompany independence, growing up and getting hit by life. The title and theme of the album as a whole, the feeling of being lost, is often what happens when the two sides clash. This feeling is not unique to YBN Cordae himself. Uncertainty and total blindness about life much like a foggy, smeared window follows us all especially those who are young and inexperienced.

However, what YBN Cordae wishes to get across with the album is the importance of perspective. One of the most powerful moments in the album comes at the end of the first track “Wintertime.” It includes the voice recording of a man telling YBN Cordae that when you “Know where you come from its easy to tell where you are going. Just keep dreaming til you find out.” The entire album then takes this powerful message and runs with it.

Through his powerful ability to illustrate stories, YBN Cordae wants the listener to know that in moments of darkness and hopelessness, although it may feel like the blindness of not seeing where you’re going is overwhelming, relying on yourself and your faith as a guide provides a feeling of security and direction. You can’t possibly hope to see the bigger picture while you’re still in it. His own perspective, one that is molded by the 25 year prison sentence of his younger brother and the passing of his grandmother help the young musician move away from toxic masculinity and standoffishness and embrace vulnerability, uncertainty and communication as central metrics of his own success. Moments in which one can easily get carried away by the Moncler jackets and Lamborghinis that come with fame are framed through the memories of 99 cent ramen noodles and handed down faded skinny jeans.

The confidence that fuels the 21-year old’s verses uniquely veers to the side of humbleness rather than arrogance. He elegantly pays homage to his past and his struggle while not rooting his identity in it. Rather, his outlook on the future, a career which is just beginning, but is nevertheless uncertain is the source of dazzling positivity and optimism: a rarity for young artists.

YBN Cordae’s beautiful relationship with his late grandmother penetrates through the pores of the album from beginning till end and provides us with a feeling of warmth. “Grandma’s House,” a compelling gospel duet between him and his grandmother offers comfort. One can always find shelter from the feeling of being lost by finding their way back home. “Thanksgiving” gives us more of that same sense of familiarity to our roots.

YBN Cordae does not shy away from heavy melancholy when presenting us with his true self. Neither does he bask in a standoffish sense of masculinity that is prevalent across many of his counterparts. His lyrics paint a picture of teetering clarity and distortion, a feeling that is common amongst many, but is seldom talked about.

“Been Around,” one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album, carries with it the graceful flutter of a butterfly. The peacefulness of looking back gives us a sense of appreciation and nostalgia for all the decisions and people who have crossed our path, ones who we’d welcome with open arms today.

With a debut album, a sense of eagerness can often result in an oversaturation of featured artists. On “The Lost Boy” however YBN Cordae sophisticatedly blends each artist’s strength with the independent themes of his own piece of art. Each feature is calculated and serves a purpose. He enlists the help of Pusha T on “Nightmares are Real” to illustrate the dark clouds of anxiety, fear and stagnation that often hide the sun. Two tracks later he has Meek Mill help us resurrect hope and bliss on “We Gone Make It.” The back and forth between YBN Cordae and Anderson .Paak on “RNP” is another success.

Throughout his journey on “The Lost Boy,” YBN Cordae comes across as a young optimistic artist who is cognizant of his past, but embraces and is aware of his own ability to soar past it. YBN Cordae ends the album with a song titled “Lost and Found,” an indication that he has found a path and is sticking to it. The power behind the message however lies in the fact that the path remains uncertain and dimly lit. Perhaps then, being found does not come from going down the right path, but it comes from going down a path. The rest will follow.