Cipher House Rules

posted in: Artist Features

In the game of rap, the cipher is where true talent emerges: two MCs going toe-to-toe in a battle of wits and words. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Dylan Sly Synclaire was a master of the cipher, woodshedding in the schoolyard before moving to LA to launch his career to the next level. His first output demonstrates the years spent perfecting his swerve. Like B.o.B., Synclaire is an affable rapper, injecting his lyrics with easy humor. In Mercedes Benz he admits that while he may be driving a hooptie, his swagger’s on 10 like I’m in a Mercedes Benz, as the beat sizzles and pops like a firecracker. Many of Synclaire’s tracks are laid back, like the breezy, R&B-soul of Crush, or the swelling pseudo strings of I Know. But don’t mistake this West Coast MC for a softie. AIA samples Chicago’s 25 or 6 to 4 for a rapid-fire assault. This is a full contact sport, if you ain’t built for it, get off the court, Synclaire spits. Any MC who wants to battle, beware. This dude’s packing some serious lyrical heat.