The video for the latest Hennessy Artistry cypher is out, it’s titled “King’s Quest” and it features 4 MC’s: Vector, Prometh, PJ and Jessay. While the line-up may be interesting on paper, Prometh was the only rapper that delivered.

The winner of the 2013 Nokia Don’t Break day Beat Rap battle winner, Prometh, came to the cypher with his guns blazing. His crisp lines were accompanied by an enjoyable rapid-fire flow that left the listener bobbing, and at the same time, raising the bar too high for the other participants in the cypher. He raps:

Prometh’s in the booth and game’s on

Flow’s hot makes the girl take her clothes off

Flight mode, watch the way it goes off

You can’t reach me, like the phone’s off

Pause believe we gon’ do

Like dreams, watch a brother come through

Control z you’re playing with the wrong dude               

The rapper completely took control of the mic and left others feeding on crumbs.

That’s a message to you and your crew

Better save your chit-chat cause I’m bouto go

Prometh’s outstanding delivery was such that by the time the next rapper, PJ, took over the mic, his lines – couched in a trappy flow – sounded like the type of lines secondary school students brag about to their mate.

With lines like (below) one immediately feels the urge to just stop the stream and move on to the next one.

 I feel the joy/I feel the pain

I buy the hypo/ cause I see the stain

However, as the beat progresses he began to feel more in control dropping not-too-impressive lines like:

No money for pocket

I dey feel the shame

I want the credit card

No Dammy Krane

The enthusiasm in PJ’s voice belied the laid-back flow he adopted for his delivery and this makes one easily conclude that he was lazy as he kept on gasping after each line he dropped.

Hakuna matata is Simba the samba/

Feeling the boy when I give the mamba

These type of lines make you wonder if this was the best PJ could offer.

Jessay had his time too. For every point he reached, he showed flashes of brilliance only to disappoint in the end. His take was very watery that one immediately forgets he rapped after the whole thing was done.

Vector is known for his ability to freestyle, however this cypher was not one of those days for him. If one was to excuse his lacklustre show, it would be to the spontaneity. But Vector had his time, he was the last to rap. Yet, he failed badly at it.

The good thing about Vector’s verse was that even while he tried to fail, his chilled approach stuck to one’s brain and his noncompliant simile and word play at the start of his verse sent one reeling with uncontrollable laughter.

My girl get asset

When I dey have sex with your girl Laca set

Lacazzette, like say she dey play for Wenger

As this line hits your eardrums, you are left trying to put two and two together to see how these things connect. Vector and the other two should sit in the back, Prometh has taken off!

Watch the cypher below: