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Teezus — The Resurrection
8.5/10 · 8 tracks, 19 minutes of undeniable crank · Album Review
Review
MentalGame
× Where Conversation Meets Understanding
MentalGame
MentalGame
× Where Conversation Meets Understanding
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On June 8th, YSL's newest signee, Teezus, released his first solo project under the label, The Resurrection — and it left me stunned.
Going into the project, my expectations were high. Teezus did an exceptional job building anticipation around the release, making it nearly impossible to ignore the moment he was trying to create. Whether it was previewing the opening track, "Solange," four months before the album dropped, delivering some of the underground's most memorable performances, or generating buzz through his standout collaboration with Sk8star and Diamond on "N$D," Teezus made sure all eyes were on him.
That said, my perception of Teezus prior to this release wasn't entirely positive. While I appreciated his energy and presence, I felt his collaborative project with Diamond exposed areas where he still needed to grow — particularly in knowing when to unleash his signature screaming rap style and in developing more creative, introspective lyricism. I also wasn't a huge fan of his breakout single, "Bada Bing Bada Boom."
Even so, I've always believed Teezus possessed star-level potential. Tracks like "PISCES," "Warrior," and "Outro" showcased an artist whose talent feels almost limitless. Across those records, he displays a level of personality and charisma that's impossible to ignore. While his aggressive, barbaric rap style may not appeal to everyone, I've grown to appreciate it when it's used with intention. "PISCES," in particular, is a perfect example of how effective and captivating that approach can be when executed properly.
Now, bringing us to The Resurrection.
I must say, the moment I pressed play on the opening track, "Solange," I couldn't help but smile. After hearing snippets of the song throughout Teezus' rollout and spending months wanting to hear it in its entirety, finally getting access to the full record felt rewarding. It wasn't just another album intro — it felt like the payoff to months of anticipation. The first listen was made even more special because the song was finally mine to replay, download, and fully experience.
Continuing with "Solange" — what a f***ing introduction.
The track perfectly sets the tone for everything that follows, immediately embracing the energy and spirit of Lil Wayne and DJ Drama's Dedication mixtape series. More importantly, the way Teezus flips the Solange sample feels entirely unique. While countless artists have sampled soulful records before, I've never heard anything quite like this.
The barbaric rap style that I've mentioned throughout this review is executed flawlessly here. Teezus attacks the beat with relentless aggression, creating a striking contrast against the soft and emotional "Cranes in the Sky" sample. On paper, the combination shouldn't work. In reality, it's exactly what makes the record so captivating. The contrast between chaos and beauty creates one of the album's most memorable moments and immediately signals that The Resurrection is going to be something special.
"What I love most about this album is that it fully embodies a phrase I've always taken pride in — 'undeniable crank.' Simply put, this project is loaded with it."
Right from the jump, Teezus puts together an incredible opening run with "Solange," "Aubrey," "Teezus Mane La'Flair," and "Jeffrey Williams." Across those four tracks, he proves he can sustain momentum without missing a step. Each record hits with the kind of energy that has your head nodding before you even realize it.
Whether it's the nostalgic samples, the earth-shaking 808s, his aggressive delivery, or the variety in his flows, Teezus finds a way to fire on all cylinders. Every element works together to create a listening experience that's both chaotic and controlled.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Resurrection and can confidently say it was one of my favorite first listens of the year.
One of the project's greatest strengths is its length. At just eight songs and nineteen minutes, Teezus delivers exactly what the album needs — nothing more and nothing less. In an era where artists often flood projects with filler in pursuit of streams, The Resurrection feels refreshingly focused. Every track serves a purpose, allowing listeners to walk away with a memorable experience without feeling fatigued.
"While Teezus has always shown flashes of immense potential, The Resurrection is the first time I've felt that potential fully realized across an entire body of work."
More importantly, this project feels like a statement. The production is explosive, the performances are memorable, and the energy rarely dips from start to finish.
If this project is any indication of what's to come, Teezus isn't just another promising underground artist — he's positioning himself to be one of the most exciting voices in rap's next generation.
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