Hailing from Miami, Florida, Wesly Giordany is the founder of WesTheTech Productions, a music-based business that gives independent artists the tools to succeed. He's also an artist himself, making hip-hop under the name K'nek. Though he dropped his full-length debut album, The Journey, back in 2022, it's an album that still fits in with the constantly-changing, fast-paced world of hip hop. The Journey is primarily a trap album, with lots of high hat, thick snares, and autotuned vocals. K'nek matches the music with his flow, but he also manages to break out of that box, as well, dropping bars in tracks like "The Journey" and "Bread Winner." K'nek is a passionate, lifelong music fan, and it's easy to hear the inspiration from multiple different eras of hip hop, all blended together into one cohesive listening experience. The subject matter is just as versatile. "The Journey" starts with an introduction to who K'nek is and what he stands for - very appropriate for an opening track on a debut album. From there, he waxes poetic on his desires to achieve success at what he does, giving God the glory for it in the process ("S.T.I.G.," "The Peak"). He also spends time warning against the consequences of living a worldly life ("Decisions," "The Hard Way") and encourages the listener to spend time with the Lord instead of indulging in fleshly desires ("The Road"). The Journey is a solid introduction to K'nek's artistry, as it gives us a full view of what he brings to the table. If you enjoy modern hip hop with a dash of older school (mid-to-late '00s-ish), this album might be for you.

- Review date: 3/6/25, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com