Epiphanies & Punchlines by ill Sykes & SheikhyGround

“Epiphanies and Punchlines” the new independently released album from London based rapper/producer duo ill Sykes and SheikhyGround is a bold offering that explores themes of isolation, existential suffering, grief, resilience and aspiration.

This album picks up where their previous outing, 2022’s “The Road Less Travelled” left off described by Ill Sykes as “The war we face once we find our path”

ill Sykes sets the tone for the album in the opening lyric of the first track.

“Now that I have found my path, this is where my war begins.
I arm my tongue with swords so sharp I sever ties with mortal beings.
Heads will roll and skies must fall
as pages tear from books unread
as mountains form that touch the stars
as if to ask the question.. are you ready yet?”

We all have mountains to climb in our hearts and minds risen not from the earth but from within us, colossal giants formed from fear, doubt, grief and hope. This album acts as a conduit for emotions and experiences relating to the struggles that come with being human. As a double edged sword the album also chronicles the trials of the archetypal suffering artist trying to find his way in a world that they feel wasn’t built for them, compelled to express yet burdened by the sensitivity that fuels their art.

ill Sykes’ lyrics dance between poetic Introspection with a raw emotional depth to visceral razor sharp lyricism where vulnerability and bravado wrestle for control. Whether opening up about coming to terms with inevitable bouts of depression on “It Never Rains (It Only Pours)” or spewing an emotionally charged lyrical salvo such as on “deliverance” ill Sykes tempers his lyrical prowess with emotional depth and juxtaposes cerebrally abrasive verses with soaring clean sung chorus’s that will worm their way into your head where they make a home for themselves.

All the while SheikhyGround provides an eclectic and accomplished soundtrack fusing classic uk hiphop stylings with disparate elements, from the 80’s inspired pop production of “running away”, the dusty lo-fi cinematic melancholy of “Metropolis Armada” to the thumping classic rock drums of epic 6 minute closer “The Mountain” SheikhyGround isn’t afraid to push boundaries and carve his own path into unknown territory taking inspiration from film scores, World music and generally lesser sampled genres making him an ideal dancing partner for ill Sykes who has always been unapologetic and bold in his approach to breaking new sonic ground.

This album is a celebration of individualism and a beacon of hope for those going through it or wishing to better themselves. We climb not just to escape what lies below but to remember what lies within.

In the last line of the album ill Sykes drives home the importance of maintaining artistic integrity in the face of adversity in a statement that highlights one of the many things this album means to him

“I paint a picture just to draw the meaning
Delivered with a feeling born from tortured reaches.. Create with freedom unbound by constraints of reason tracing stars from afar through the changing seasons”

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