My first encounter with Yaves' music was earlier this year when an EP of his was featured in an independent review on the site. Though it didn't manage to achieve spotlight status, I thought it to be a decent effort, especially in its approach to the samples used. However, as I listened to Prince Among Thieves 3, I could tell something different was at play. It was apparent within the first track that the young artist had grown to not only mature in his skills regarding production but content as well.

I feel that Yaves' overall presentation within the mixtape embodies 1 Timothy 4:12. The beloved verse was part of the apostle Paul's personal letter to a young disciple in ancient Ephesus encouraging him to present himself to the public in a worthy manner. Highlighting the importance of a Christian's speech, conduct, love and faith as being the key attributes that distinguished a genuine believer from the world, Paul understood that the greatest evidence of a believer's faith would be manifested in these traits. I find it inspiring that here we have a rapper from Columbus, Ohio who has embraced not only these fruits but his age as well to glorify God with his craft of hip-hop. In a genre so often corrupted by the idolization of sin, Yaves presents to us a heart that has seen sin for its destructive nature from firsthand experience.

Recalling memories of seeing drugs made in his kitchen and the effects it had on his mother, Yaves uses the negativity of his past to contrast with how great the redeeming power of salvation is. The artist himself says in the track "Run Flat," "No disrespect, I just want my all of my people out of the projects," after confronting the truth that sin makes slaves of those who follow it. Yaves' attitude reflects a young apologist for the faith, consumed by the desire to see everyone in his life come to the realization that there is indeed a way out. Perhaps the most touching aspect of this comes fully to life in the three interludes that feature him and his mother during an interview. Over the course of the album, Yaves' mother tells us her story of redemption and how it would never have been possible without her son's faith to encourage her to leave a life of prostitution and drugs.

Though Thieves 3 is all deserving of praise due to Yaves' unique approach to storytelling, the production shouldn't be ignored either. The variety contained is of remarkable quality, with the many colors of the artist's life complemented by the rich melodies and beats. "Pastel Shades" glows with a romantic ember as Yaves serenades his sweetheart, while tracks like "On Go" and "The Purge" are sure highlights for their frenzied personalities. What's more is that every guest featured wastes no time to bring a thrilling touch with their life stories. "Lord Have Mercy" has artist Hodgie Street detail the struggles of fatherhood and poverty while the track "Smooth Sailing" features J Flue giving us an all too familiar tale of peer pressure. Though I found some tracks, like "Gold D's" and the ending's freestyle, to be more filler than stellar, every track is at the least decent when it's not busy being amazing.

As 2015 rolls to an end, I'm thankful to say that Prince Among Thieves 3 was without a doubt my favorite release of the year. It's works like these that remind me Christian art is far from taking the mediocre route. I think that Yaves himself understands the longing to see more quality albums surface from the Christian market. On the track "The Salute", he admits to his fans, "I apologize, I gave you sub-par efforts, I gave you sub-par records". Well Yaves, this year I can confidently say that you've set the bar far above the average.

- Review date: 12/30/15, written by Bersain Beristain of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

 Record Label: Slingshot Media Group
 Album length: 15 tracks: 37 minutes
 Street Date: November 3, 2015
 Download It: Amazon Music

1. Never Perish (2:54)
2. Salute (2:17)
3. The Purge (1:52)
4. Mom's Interlude 1 (1:11)
5. Lord Have Mercy (feat. Hodgie Street) (3:39)
6. Gold D's (2:29)
7. Tokyo Drifting (feat. NSG Jeanluke, J Word & Keisha Solei) (3:24)
8. Pastel Shades (feat. Ron Riley) (2:51)
9. Mom's Interlude 2 (1:29)
10. On Go (2:44)
11. Run Flat (2:44)
12. King or Pawn (feat. Ceezar) (3:33)
13. Smooth Sailing (feat. J Flue) (3:04)
14. Mom's Interlude 3 (1:28)
15. Hmmm (Freestyle) (1:57)