A Delicate Dissection of The Best Album of 2024: The Thief Next To Jesus

[@AROOOOF]

I was honored to meet him at the last pop up in Manhattan… I got him to sign the opening bar used in this video on the vinyl . I’m honored that me and my boy got to express our gratitude for his art. Thank you for your work!

[@tdsnuggs]

what an experience that must have been.

[@AyoubAbdul-Ghaniy]

Ka confirmed my view that Hip Hop at it's best is one of humanity's greatest art form.

[@tdsnuggs]

that was very well said AyoubAbdul

[@happygucci5094]

Like Jazz, like Rock and Roll- look at its origins… these are uniquely African Diasporic music genres- this is spiritual alchemy…. Thank you so much for highlighting this man, this poet philosopher… this is ART.

[@pawn4562]

This video soothes my soul. Every time I try talking about Ka online fuckers be so disrespectful. It's so refreshing to see someone giving his work the care and analytical lense it so deserves. Rest in peace to the greatest writer in all of human history. Kaseem Ryan was both a community and artistic leader. Thank you so much for this video, man. 💜

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you for those words Pawn4562 , Ka's impact on my life is immeasurable.

[@surr3al1s]

Amen 🙏🏾 Truly a Literary Master of ANY written form

[@elikartel]

TDS is fr a student of hip hop🙏

[@cosmonaut8968]

The writting is immaculate......but the production is soooo good .....Ka was a complete artist. True goat

[@surr3al1s]

Ka is MY GOAT, The best. And Marci is my favorite. Metal Clergy Forever👑🖊️🪽

[@cosmonaut8968]

@surr3al1s marci went crazy last year. Two full length albums which are dope as fuck. And mach dropped too. Last year was crazy

[@surr3al1s]

@@cosmonaut8968 Sick Sick Year! Only missing a billy woods’ joint…

[@cosmonaut8968]

@@surr3al1s true 😔

[@tdsnuggs]

and the music videos are dope- especially the animated ones.

[@coinzilla9398]

Beautiful presentation. This the type of editorial hip hop deserves imo. Elevates the whole landscape. Hats off.

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you CoinZilla, I'm going to keep the ball rolling.

[@coinzilla9398]

@tdsnuggs 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@dougmilligan9703]

Bro thank you so much for always making stuff about ka , he really deserves all the attention and respect in the world man , his words change lives . Ka is a change perspective . Depth and weight doesn’t even feel strong enough to describe it .

[@tdsnuggs]

Always nice to see you in the comments Doug; you hit it on the nail, each album is an experience.

[@dysonspheretxi]

The greatest writer in hip hop. Ka will be missed.

[@tdsnuggs]

🫡

[@surr3al1s]

One of the Greatest American Writers of any literary genre. Long Live the Metal Samurai 👑 🖊️ 🪽

[@ten606ixx]

Fantastic work! R.I.P KA 🙏🏾🕊

[@GasMoneytv]

Brilliant work. Rest in Heaven.

[@tdsnuggs]

LL KA

[@MrJayBeatstv]

Damn I never even checked out Ka. I'm def gonna have to peep his stuff after seeing this.

[@SoundTasteLifestyle]

Finally. Thanks for this one. Classic work as usual. KA one of the greatest!

[@tdsnuggs]

Np STL thank you for staying locked in 🫡

[@Bkesal14]

I can't say enough good things about this channel! I'm excited to see what 2025 brings, cos I'll be locked in

[@tdsnuggs]

Appreciate that Bkesal, stay dope 💪🏿

[@leroygreen6310]

That Dope Shit! Masterpiece work my guy 🔥

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you LeroyGreen 🫡

[@leroygreen6310]

@@tdsnuggs Yes Sirrr

[@mikevilla8230]

Your videos were my recommendation to Ka, may he rest in peace

[@christopherjohnson577]

Definitely my album of the year and glad i managed to snag it on vinyl. Rip the god pen he'll be sorely missed

[@tdsnuggs]

You got yourself a classic 🫡

[@matthewatdefiantlegends7629]

R.I.P Ka. It gives me goosebumps listening to his music. We will never have another like him. 🕊

[@OmarTheOneAndOnly]

RIP KA

[@ZakkeeWaheed]

By far the dopest album of the year. Album of the year Rapper of the year

[@tdsnuggs]

True indeed ZakkeeeWaheed

[@kincamell2]

Gratitude.

[@tdsnuggs]

🫡

[@StayBlessed47]

Lfggg!! Long Live Ka!

[@IronClinch92]

Was unaware of Ka and his work until now. My ex wife is currently keeping my daughter from me, spent Christmas and new years alone. I’m grateful for this music finding me. I needed it. Peace be with you all.

[@tdsnuggs]

First off, I'm sorry you are separated from your daughter, that can't be easy, stay strong brother 💪🏿. Ka's music has this way about it that makes rough times a bit more smoother- and sometimes that can be a difference maker. Peace to you IronClinch 💪🏿

[@pa22504]

Great content as usual,, Rest in Power KA🎉

[@tdsnuggs]

Long Live Ka

[@JL3001]

I miss Ka so much. He was consistently operating at a level very, very few artists reach. One of the best to ever do it, and left his mark, and that's been clear since I heard "Cold Facts" back in 2012. I know there's folks out there coming up now who are inspired by him, for sure.

[@joaopaulogomesoleare8974]

That's that dope shit. Love from Brazil, man!

[@tdsnuggs]

shout out to Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@hinerron]

Dude. Wonderful analysis

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you Hinerron 🫡

[@G-96X]

Great send off for the God Body n the year. TDS!!!

[@tdsnuggs]

Selam brother, happy new year G96X!

[@G-96X]

@ happy new year!

[@jaroncole1088]

Thank you for this and keeping his legacy known for people to find. 💯I was really tuned into KA the past month upon his passing. Thief Next to Jesus, Cain, Dr. Yen Lo, Orpheus, and Grief Pedigree been on heavy rotation and getting me through rough times.

[@tdsnuggs]

I really need to revisit Orpheus

[@tarharqataseti9261]

I can't lie, I had Kas' album as album of the year

[@tdsnuggs]

I find new dope lines every listen. "came to reign, because we been down poor"

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

Same here

[@Doctor_Beats]

Best and most important album of this year, to my ear as well.

[@tdsnuggs]

you know the dope sht.

[@Doctor_Beats]

@@tdsnuggsI was raised without religion, so I also had to do some theology reading for this album. Something I found was that there were two thieves crucified with Jesus: a penitent thief and an impenitent thief. I think both motifs are represented on the album: the still-religious black folks that could be interpreted as the penitent thief and folks turning to crime and other means to get what’s theirs as the impenitent thief. I also love that the first track is titled with the order of subjects he addresses in the track.

[@tdsnuggs]

@@Doctor_Beats Great observation Doctor Beats, what I really like is how Ka will give reasoning behind each branch of moral compass- "came to reign, because we been down poor", so much rich depth to what so many perceive as 'minimalist' (even with the bars)

[@MystikMattSRSP]

Definitely remember where I was 1st time I listened to Days With Yen Lo and never stopped bumping Brownsville Ka. Words can't describe, but from the legend himself.

[@tdsnuggs]

🎯 left us with some of the best works of the last decade + more.

[@Shaun.is.typing]

you put me onto Ka!! thanks for making these great videos 🙏

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you for stay locked in Shaun! 💪🏿💯

[@FBAKTdaGoat]

Ima keep Ka’s legacy alive.. He still lives through me as one of the biggest influences for me in rapping to the point I named my next project “The Devil next to GOD”.. I never done it before but on this album I’ve produced every song and I’m shooting videos by myself.. Salute to the elder loved one, he provided much guidance 🙏🏾

[@tdsnuggs]

keep striving, keep at it 💪🏿

[@Dre_Badass]

Dope!

[@tdsnuggs]

Thanks Dre_Badass stay locked in 💪🏿

[@lottaisito5355]

One of the best videos of the channel, greetings straight from Brasil 🫡

[@tdsnuggs]

Appreciate it and shout out to beautiful Brazil 🇧🇷

[@Dillon-ql5xc]

You be turning me on to amazing music thank you so much 🔥

[@tdsnuggs]

always to see you in the comments Dillon 💪🏿

[@ApartUhdabody]

Subbed. Good shit man RIP KA

[@Prodbykayyyso]

Thanks for keeping shit hip hop bro , ur one of a kind in this hip hop space u putting homies on

[@tdsnuggs]

appreciate that Kayyyso 🫡

[@OptimisticSpaceLens-yy9ft]

this channel is so dope bro

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you OptimisticSpaceLens appreciate you 💪🏿

[@skipskip14]

First time watching your shit. Great work man!

[@tdsnuggs]

Thanks Skip! 🫡

[@skufl]

thank you for this, thank you for keeping KA's name and work alive! ✊

[@tdsnuggs]

💪🏿🫡

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

Great writing hip hop he last album awesome album my list

[@happygucci5094]

It is my favorite album- I learned about this genius that most people will never know - from this channel. Happy New Year my G 🫡🔥🙌🏽🙏🏽

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you Gucci and happy new years to you as well! 💪🏿

[@happygucci5094]

@ 🫡🙌🏽🔥🙏🏽

[@SolCareMimi]

This was very good. Larry June piece was also. I assumed the algorithm recommended bc I follow the Grits & Eggs podcast. Again well done, informative and inspires listening. I have two new artists to connect with now. Saw your community post bout 2025, good luck on the journey ❤

[@tdsnuggs]

Thank you SolCareMimi 💪🏿

[@shlinkYmeister]

Thank God For Brownsville Ka

[@manatee_flips6811]

Thank you..

[@tdsnuggs]

🫡💪🏿

[@emmanuelchiagam9454]

I miss you so much Ka, That dope shit ❤

[@tdsnuggs]

Selam Emmanuel 🫡

[@topflightcards94]

It’s a shame that Christ was presented to slaves through a very distorted lens.

[@samuelkomay8058]

incredible work

[@tdsnuggs]

Thanks Samuel!! 💪🏿

[@Jbugwashere]

Ka is one of the greatest rappers of all time man for real his lyricism is top notch and he has interesting production choices. Orpheus vs the sirens is one of my favorite albums of all time. So talented and under appreciated it was sad to hear his passing. The man was also a firefighter so not only was he a poet in his spare time but a hero to so many. I hope he’s in heaven if it exists. I will show my kids his music.

[@tdsnuggs]

🙏🏿🤲🏿

[@lsvlogs_]

AI IS CRAZY BRO WHAT HAPPEN AT THE START OF THE VIDEOV?? AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS GREAT WAY TO "START THE YEAR"

[@tdsnuggs]

lol my day one 💪🏿

[@lsvlogs_]

@tdsnuggs no doubt

[@travismathis3279]

❤ 🙏🔥🔥

[@tdsnuggs]

💪🏿🤙🏾🫡

[@sgvmvp]

This album is INCREDIBLE!!

[@tdsnuggs]

True indeed SGVMVP

[@juanrivera2841]

IN THE WORDS of C. WALLACE BROOKLYN KEEP ON TAKING IT, REST IN POWER BRETHREN'S K. RYAN.🙏🏿 VIRGIN ISLANDS PEACE ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@tdsnuggs]

The most thorough borough shout out to Virgin Islands 💪🏿

[@happygucci5094]

Beautiful idol is the song that lives rent free in my head- it is CHURCH

[@eugenea7886]

Many don't know but we've lost arguably the greatest literary voice in modern music. He belongs in the libraries and museums

[@tdsnuggs]

I agree.

[@SolCareMimi]

Omg you’re Eritrean ❤️ funny before you mentioned Tigrinya you mentioned Kush earlier which made me I think of Eri friends... And now I can hear the influence in your voice though you don’t have a true accent. Any how, Habesha 💗

[@tdsnuggs]

🇪🇷🫡

[@dorianvick8932]

I hate that I learned about KA in 2024! May he forever be with God!

[@tdsnuggs]

♾

[@Namewastakendamn]

Fuck I'm only now finding out he passed. Wtf. Rest in peace to the best writer hiphop will ever know

[@tdsnuggs]

🙏🏿🤲🏿

[@TYBO-xl1xz]

I don’t see why Black people follow any of the 3 mainstream religions 🧐

[@thatpak]

✊🏾

[@tdsnuggs]

This is a fair and valid point. I'm Eritrean Orthodox, we've kept many of the missing books in the Catholic and western bibles i.e The Book of Enoch. I don't follow western religious institutions, most of which are run by greed.

[@beach_boy1141]

I don’t see why not.

[@TYBO-xl1xz]

@ Because it’s bs, evidently you drank the kool-aid

[@beach_boy1141]

@@TYBO-xl1xz I can say you drank the other kool aid

[@trenza2566]

13:28 me when bro asks me wich call of duty was released in 2010

[@dynamic9016]

Interesting

[@bhongonkumanda7630]

The best Ka album has to be Descendants of Cains. Hands down the best

[@tdsnuggs]

I'm not mad at that

[@sal-khafaji3114]

The Mahdi Has Appeared channel reveals many secrets surrounding the crucifixion

[@losLAUREN718]

I like the review. About to check it out. Need you to do a review on my album. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGLSqIOCqa2Iodk

[@tdsnuggs]

email me

[@losLAUREN718]

@ 10 4 best email for you?

[@thatguythatsavedearth1093]

Rip? Wtf are yall talking about

[@josechamu240]

How delicate can this dissection be if i would argue you failed early on? The video is good dont get me wrong. You bring new thoughts and ideas and even helped me understand this album more. But the grand transgression i speak of is u ignorantly claiming “the thief next to jesus” was a man who saw jesus clowned and them repented. But he is not THEE thief because there was 2 of them nailed to the left and right of jesus. One ended up repenting and the other aint believed in jesus. You outright stating that THEE thief in question is dismas/the good thief/ repenter is a damn shame and a HUGE GIANT oversight in regards to the album. To state what u said aint light because it changes the ENTIRE album if we KNOW 100% that the thief referenced is dismas but we do not know that and the ambiguity is purposeful; something u straight up butchered.

[@tdsnuggs]

First off, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a detailed comment and engage with the video at this level-it means a lot. I'm glad you were able to get some new insights about the album JoseChamu. I think one of the most amazing things about art is everyone's interpretation of it can be different. Whether you think he is referencing thief number 1 or number 2 can be up to how one perceives it. My intention was never to claim definitive knowledge about who the 'thief' is in the context of the album, but I can see how my wording might’ve come across that way. He didn't title it 'thieves', which imo leaves it up for the listener to interpret. Nonetheless, you bring up a great discussion. It’s comments like these that push me to improve and bring even more depth to future videos. 💪🏿

[@josechamu240]

@@tdsnuggs ur vids are good and u are to be commended for putting a spotlight on Ka. As he says “respect few select few tuning in”. I just took problem wit that lil part was all. I enjoyed that u showed some of his sources and influences because i firmly believe Ka wanted that. He said “if u scout then; each album imparts a new mission” and he really really lays it out explicitly in the music videos through showing records, books, and much more. For example the easiest would be samurai since in that one ur supposed to study bushido (by nitobe) and that will open u up to eastern philosophy. Not unlike yen lo which makes a point to focus on the mental; doystoyveztys (i butchered the shit outta that) “crime and punishment” and really all his works deal with that. Similarly to orpheus and learning of acient europe and the like. If u go thru his personal book library and finish, then he (ka) becomes an easier listen and more rewarding. Its like it unlocks DLC for ur ears.

[@tdsnuggs]

@@josechamu240 where can I find Ka's personal book library?