Coming out of Flushing, Queens, Y@k Ballz hit the scene at the tail end of the '90s. He was just 16, working at the legendary NYC hip-hop hotspot Footwork and making waves in the underground battle circuit. His debut 12-inch, "Homepiss," came out on Bobbitto's Fondle 'Em label, introducing listeners to his oddball flow and over-the-top lyricism. Deals with other indie powerhouses like Def Jux and Eastern Conference followed, and he was also drafted into The Weatherman collective (with Cage, Aesop Rock, Camu Tao, and El-P, among others). Originally released in 2004, My Claim is his first full-length. It's produced almost entirely by Mondee, who provides a wealth of funked-out, loop-centric beats. Y@k's bizarro wordplay touches on everything from pimps and partying to The Box and Star Wars, all delivered in a freaky nasal style that's completely his own. Highlights include "Queens Life," "Pimped Out," and the title track.