Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman VIII” review

And here’s the 7th extended play from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor albeit the 8th in his ongoing The Artist Yahn Freeman series. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to drop VI, VII & VII simultaneously for Halloween.

Tito Lopez appears during the trap intro “There for You” talking about how they feel like superheroes whereas “Never Keep Me Down” explains that confidence is crucial for one to survive & things boiling down to whether you got it or not. “Seen It Before” calls for everyone to line up all the closest people in our lives in a row & after the sinister “Let ‘Em Know” reminds people who’s the realest from head to toe, “We Not the Same” talks about the differences between him & those saying they’re on his level.

“Faith of a Child” continues the 2nd half of VIII instrumentally leaning towards a boom bap to discuss grinding until he gets every last thing he prays for in life while “7 Days” talks about the importance of allowing our surroundings influence us regardless of where one lives. “On Go” discusses him hustling like he’s getting ready to lose his mind & trying to feed his kids while the soulful trap crossover “Legacy” wraps it all up talking about his optimism never being compromised by living in the ghetto.

Similarly to VI dedicating myself to the memory of Jon Connor’s friend Mekeva Blackmon who always gave him a space to be himself & believed in him from the get go to her untimely death a couple months earlier as well as The Artist Yahn Freeman VII honoring his older sister in professional life coach Chanel Patton, The Artist Yahn Freeman VIII brings these new chapters full circle mother Mahaley Lark to coincide her birthday only 24 hours earlier.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman VI” review

Finally got the 6th installment of Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor‘s ongoing The Artist Yahn Freemanseries. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to drop VI, VII & VIII simultaneously for Halloween.

“Miracle” begins with this cinematic trap intro talking about being a supernatural phenomenon in the living flesh whereas “The Confessional (Long Road)” breaks down all the things he used to do in his life. “Unapologetically Me” instrumentally leans towards a more soulful trap vibe talking about having no remorse for doing his thing just before “Consequences of Content” observes people not comprehending the things they watch every single day.

Continuing from there, “Evidence” talks about the amount of potential wasted when people succumb to temptation leading into “The Best” flexing that he was born to be the greatest to ever do this shit. “Forgiveness of Self” interestingly blends jazz rap & trap including a cool interpolation of “Hail Mary” by the Outlawz to reach the midway point of the tape while “On Everything” passionately talks about using the flow to bare his soul when he’s ready to snap.

“Chosen / The Moral” comes through with a 2-parter explaining that he’s worked too hard to waste his energy while “It Will All Make Sense” spends a couple minutes getting in his conscious bag lyrically. The boom bap instrumental “On Everything 2” brings to the table could be my personal favorite on VII revisiting it’s predecessor’s energy & “Never Die (Testify)” encourages to go hard when you’re fed up, “Conversations with Keva” remembers his late friend Mekeva Blackmon.

So much has happened in Jon Connor’s life over the course of these past 4 months including the untimely death of Keva, so it makes all the sense in the world for the All Varsity Music Group founder to dedicate VII in memory of the very person who always gave him a space to be himself around since she believed in him since the very beginning alongside making it The Artist Yahn Freeman saga’s lengthiest clocking at over a half hour.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman VII” review

This is the 6th extended play from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor & the 7th chapter of his ongoing The Artist Yahn Freeman series. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to drop VI, VII & VIII simultaneously for Halloween.

“Look at Me Now” opens up with a trap intro talking about people laughing at this person instead of with them whereas “They Ain’t Free” calls for people to stop idolizing those who hate their lives. “Actin’ Like” talks about prioritizing his peace over what people in the streets be saying but after “Same Story (Don’t You Know)” observes everyone trying to get their money & minds right, “Leap of Faith” reminds us all that karma’s very much real.

As for “Dark or Light”, we have Jon talking about how making something outta nothing is simply what he does while “Halfway Home” explains there being more to life than what we’re shown regularly. “The Reminder” experiments with disco rap for not even a minute expressing hope of what he’s saying being made to clear to people listening while “Start Today” soulful ends VII offering some clear advise to those who aren’t living up to their full potential.

Considering that VI was dedicated to the memory of Jon Connor’s friend Mekeva Blackmon who always gave him a space to be himself & believed in him from the get go to her untimely death a couple months earlier, I love the idea of him expressing the gratitude he has towards professional life coach Chanel Patton throughout The Artist Yahn Freeman VII, who considers his older sister the 1st best friend he ever made in his life. I also have to commend Maestro Williams for the outstanding mixing.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman V” review

Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor switching things up for this month’s entry in The Artist Yahn Freeman series. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to have iRockSays produce this guest-heavy installment.

“High Key” begins with a trap intro talking about hoes needing a streamer to tell them exactly what their mother & grandfather have been saying since their youth whereas “I Get’s Down” discusses being born in a system where they’re trying to fuck everyone over. Courtney Bell appears so he & Jon can take things back to “The Essence” over a soulful beat leading into Freeway joining to talk about both of them only having their balls & “My Word”.

Kicking off the 2nd half, “Stay Up” has a more motivational tone to the lyrics explaining that you’re always gonna lose pretending to be someone you’re not while “Glory” talks about everything being ok as long as he never quits. “Held High” featuring X-Raided unites both artist over another boom bap instrumental refusing to lose focus & fearing nobody while “At the Top” ends V encouraging everyone listening to enjoy the journey.

This whole saga has been divisively received by fans in general although I personally would tell you that last month’s chapter still has the strongest engineering compared to the rest, but I didn’t get the same enjoyment out of The Artist Yahn Freeman V compared to it’s predecessors produced by Smitti Boi. I commend him for bringing a new producer & more features on board, even if the amount of features are too many.

Score: 3/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman IV” review

New surprise EP from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to drop the 4th installment of The Artist Yahn Freeman series produced by Smitti Boi.

“Lord You Know I’m Trying” hops over a trap beat sampling gospel music to begin this month’s installment talking about making music for the people who appreciate his style these days whereas “1st Day Back” goes for a boom bap vibe instrumentally admitting he wakes up every day thinking of making something out of his life before his time’s up. “Solid Ground” keeps it rugged to spit streams of consciousness while “Evolve” featuring MRK_SX finds the 2 talking about now being the time to do better.

Starting the 2nd half, “The Party 2” comes through with a spiritual successor to a highlight off The Artist Yahn Freeman II promising to never give up his self-respect for money over a nocturnal trap beat while “Endless Road” vents the need to talk to someone except no one’s tapping in. “Praying for the Sunshine” returns to the boom bap calling for us to realize our children’s future is in our hands & “They Can’t Stop My Dreams” spends the last couple minutes promising everything will be ok.

Only a week after his birthday, this latest entry of Jon Connor’s ongoing saga has been only getting more interesting by the month & The Artist Yahn Freeman IV taking over The Artist Yahn Freeman III’s position as the All Varsity Music Group founder’s finest-sounding extended play this whole year. Maestro Williams of Silent Riot’s gives us the greatest mixing/mastering I’ve heard throughout this entire tetrarch through his engineering, carrying over the thoughtfully conscious lyricism backed by Smitti Boi’s production healthily balancing boom bap & trap.

Score: 4/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman III” review

Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor returning for the 3rd installment of his ongoing 12-part series of extended plays almost a week since Divine Dominion, the current CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Místico alongside JetSpeed & Jack Perry all became the new AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, AEW World Trios Champions & AEW National Champion at Revolution VII and days after Wren Sinclair & Aaron Rourke became the new WWE Women’s Speed Champion & WWE EVOLVE Champion respectively. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to go on a 3-peat with Smitti Boi.

“Black Messiah” aggressively comes out the gate talkin’ about fightin’ & throwin’ fists until his arms gets tired whereas “No Smoke” takes the trap route instrumentally explaining that BabyChiefDoIt using AI to write his raps has to be the dumbest shit he’s ever heard. “So Far Gone” goes for a bit of a boom bap vibe talking about public opinion changing only when you’re dead while “War” apocalyptically confesses to feeling like we’re at conflict.

Reaching the halfway point, “Good Money” addresses a woman who claims to be stripping to make it out the hood except she’s still doing it even after becoming wealthy leading & after “To the Young Lady at the Barber Shop” melodically speaks directly to a female who isn’t receiving the love she wants promising it’ll all be ok, “Come Over” goes for a conscious rap rock direction wanting to elevate the female he’s talking about & leaving the old version of her behind.

“Look the Other Way” begins The Artist Yahn Freeman III’s encore soulfully discussing an experience he had the the other day where he ran into someone he personally knew & they eventually turned their heads after saying something while “Silent Conversations” returns to the boom bap telling everyone who’s tuned in to keep going no matter what. “Things You Can’t Control (For TTT)” soulfully ends the EP talking to a young king who should play this when lost in their thoughts.

So we’re almost a quarter way through 2026 already & of the 3 entries to come out of this whole saga so far, The Artist Yahn Freeman III makes improvements above The Artist Yahn Freeman II & dethroning the 1 that began it all. It’s starting to look increasingly likely that Smitti Boi will be producing the whole series & I can’t complain because the production’s more varied than the other 2 installments, backing the messages Jon’s portraying through his rhymes tend to be more urgent than it’s predecessors.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman II” review

Celebrating the Valentine’s Day weekend with the 2nd installment of a 12-part EP saga from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to drop The Artist Yahn Freeman II almost a month after the previous entry.

Smitti Boi cooks up a victorious trap instrumental in the intro “Don’t Cry” talking about the shit God had prepared him for whereas “Random Thoughts” references current 8-time WWE world champion CM Punk claiming the Best in the World’s nickname for himself. “The Acknowledgment” jazzily confesses there’s no easier way to reach a higher version of ourselves unless admitting the bullshit won’t stop us just before “For Life For Real” featuring Mickey Factz finds the 2 talking about never letting anyone discredit you.

“Get It” starts the 2nd half of II suggesting for everyone he’s been watching on the grind to go out & take what’s theirs while “Completion” optimistically talks about it being proud of yourself for coming this far so we can remember who we are during any hard times. “The Party” takes a couple minutes to vent regarding all the kinds of people he’s been fed up with for a minute already while “Be Free” wraps things up talking about making peace from within & shit not changing 5 decades later.

Now I couldn’t tell you whether or not Smitti Boi intends to produce the other 10 extended plays Jon Connor has lined up for the rest of the year, but I did enjoy The Artist Yahn Freeman II almost as much as the predecessor even if the general reception was divided. The production isn’t any different than last month’s EP regarding stylistic variety & Jon’s still using his God given talents to counter the negative energy our world experiences daily with positivity.

Score: 3.5/5

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Jon Connor – “The Artist Yahn Freeman” review

Brand new EP & the 1st of an ongoing 12-part series from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World saga paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, coming off Food for the Soul & 24 produced by KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to have Smitti Boi produce I a few days after Jetset Rodeo became the new AEW World Trios Champions.

“Pray” opens up with a gospel sample talking about everyone around him wanting smoke because they don’t have any money & advising them to speak with God whereas “Holy Holy” goes for a trap vibe instrumentally asking the Lord to bless the child who can hold his own. “The System” takes the boom bap route admitting he didn’t think he needed to find support to keep the real alive while “Drowning in Chaos” featuring Jarren Benton finds the 2 talking about mental stress.

Emilio Rojas & MRK SX join Jon on “Hello from Miami” starting the 2nd half soulfully asking the bartender to not treat them like beginners when both of them have been catching Ws of their own for over a decade just before “Live Your Truth” passionately thanks the Man above for all the lessons He gave him during his younger days. “The People’s Anthem” winds down I’s final minutes talking about doing this music shit for the youth & the closer wishes everyone a “Happy New Year”, wishing prosperity & growth to his loved ones.

At the release party for Foul Mouth’s solo debut Everybody Goes Crazy Once a couple months ago, Jon Connor had told me roughly a half hour prior to his set he would be releasing a new project every month over over the course of 2026 & I marks an exciting beginning to the rest of this series we’re gonna watch play out until next winter. Smitti Boi’s production needless to say distances itself from the dirty south sounds of 24’s & the subject matter’s more spiritual than that previous LP’s was the previous summer.

Score: 4/5

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Jon Connor – “24” review

Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor enlisting KLC of the No Limit Records in-house production team Beats by the Pound to produce his 7th studio LP. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved, returning nearly 6 months since providing Food for the Soul to drop 24.

“1 Time” was an aggressive opener talking about it rappers who’ve got caught up in the clout & forgot to live life putting it up for the real ones whereas “Where You From?” featuring Lil Wyte finds the 2 linking up to tell us what it’s like in Flint & Memphis respectively. “Nothin’ Gon’ Change That” featuring Fiend & Mac throws it back to the No Limit days with it’s horn instrumental separating the real from the fake leading into the funky “Get Right” asking how you were poppin’ bottles if your money ain’t right.

We get a sequel to “Story to Tell” off S.O.S. II: The Road to Legendary produced by MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. 7 recalling a time where he was 13 & KLC giving it a jazzier feel as opposed to the trap sound of the original while “Work” featuring DJ Paul finds the 2 linking up to talk about getting that money over some dirty south shit. “Kings & Queens” featuring Jay Allure reminds me of those collabs Mia X used to do for No Limit just before “Motivated” incorporates these pianos & strings to talk about always staying inspired even when he’s been knocked down.

“Wake Up, Go Hard” featuring Mr. Serv-On gets the final leg of 24 with a dirty south anthem in ode to the everlasting hustle while “The Biggest Flex” featuring Dee-1 gets together for a lead single tryin’ to figure out who you’re frontin’ for. “Black Magic” featuring Enjoy Melody hits us with more No Limit nostalgia reminiscent of Mercedes in this particular instance & “Story Time” closin’ down shop by telling a tale of tragedy ending in gunfire after the opps caught him by surprise.

It’s been no kept secret that Jon has always been heavily influenced by the late 90s run No Limit Records was so to have KLC fully produce an entire body of work from him could more than likely appeal to those who look back fondly during that time period where No Limit was popular enough to have their own faction in WCW when WWE was in the Attitude Era. All that aside: KLC’s production feels like a mix of old & new ideas with Jon’s dream since he was 14 finally coming to fruition as a full circle moment in his career.

Score: 4.5/5

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Jon Connor – “Food for the Soul” review

This is the 6th full-length studio LP from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved & has come off III: The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. by giving Food for the Soul.

“We’re Gonna Be Okay” starts with a soulful trap opener providing optimism for everyone feeling uncertain ahead of Donald Trump’s 2nd inauguration a few weeks from now whereas “413” takes it to the basement thanks to DJ Silk talking about refusing to stop until he gets exactly what he came for. “I’m Tryin’” victoriously expands on the themes of the previous joint making it an effort & after the “Nikell for the Soul” interlude, “Everyday” featuring Daylyt finds them both over kicks & snares shouting out their people.

Jag links up with Jon on “Evolution of Amazing” bringing a trap flare back to the table as they talk about their greatness gradually evolving the way it is just before “Red Velvet” featuring Stalley links the pair together on top of this calming beat talking about leading the fakes where they at without even speaking. “Take Flight” celebrates the jealousy & hate that motivated him to step his game up leading into the jazzy “New Day” talks seeing how far we can go taking it day by day.

After the titular interlude, “The Vibes” featuring Dizzy Wright heads for a groovier boom bap direction tackling the familiar theme of love going further staying with their respective partners while “They Wonder” featuring Locksmith talks about going through everything. “Over & Over” maintains the raw beats reminding that there ain’t nothing new under the sun, but then “Double Murda” featuring Termanology shows a hardcore side to them getting ready for war referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time WWE world champion & WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage.

“So Much Pressure” calls for everyone to help each other since we’re all heading rough in addition to being stuck in our ways the older that we get & after the “Nights” interlude, “The Great Design (Key Elements of Love)” talks about people taking in the time to recognize the other side of God’s greatest design of them all. “Something Dope About You” soulfully tells his romantic interest that he wants to make her smile & “Heaven on Earth” featuring MRK SX calmly talks making their own paradise.

The track “Blind Eye View” pushes further towards the final leg of Food for the Soul dabbling with trap again refusing to go backwards revealing that he doesn’t know the exact reason why that he sees the world the way that he does & the outro ties it all up in the form of this jazz rap closer advising listeners to stay in control along with acting now in regards of wanting to chase one’s dreams believing half of what you’ve seen & question half of what you’ve been told in life.

Rather than refusing to try to being anything more than what it is still rewarding listeners with something that wasn’t too hard to digest like he did on III last year, he takes everyone back musically & helps you to push forward by laying out the thought-provoking lyrics Jon Connor is known backed by a batch of infectious instrumentals & a powerful message that nourishes the soul. If he still plans on putting out 24 produced by Beats by the Pound member KLC as announced 3 years ago, I’m certain it’ll be the most essential material of his career.

Score: 3.5/5

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