The superstar who told Kanye West to sign CyHi the Prynce
CyHi the Prynce first came to prominence on Kanye West’s track ‘So Appalled,’ rapping alongside Ye, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, and RZA. This was a big moment in his career, but, without the influence of a pop superstar, it may never have happened.
CyHi initially signed to Akon’s Konvict Muzik label in 2009, but it was through his association with Kanye that things really took off for him. After he had become tied to Konvict Muzik, Ye got involved and co-signed him to his GOOD Music imprint in 2010. He appeared on ‘So Appalled,’ a track from Ye’s acclaimed album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, later that same year.
According to CyHi himself, all of this wouldn’t have happened had it not been for Beyoncé. As he recounted to Ambrosia for Heads in 2017, he released a song called ‘Studder’ as he was coming up as a rapper, and, one way or another, Bey heard it. She then apparently advocated for CyHi to Ye.
Recalling what he’d personally been informed of, CyHi claimed, “They told me Beyoncé heard my verse and said, ‘I don’t know who that is, but you need to sign him.’ And that was the beginning.”
With Beyoncé’s backing, Kanye eventually tracked down CyHi and brought him into his circle. In addition to signing him up to GOOD Music, Ye also recruited him to appear on ‘So Appalled.’ CyHi’s role on that song is significant, especially when considering that he raps on it alongside some bona fide hip-hop legends, but, apparently, that happened because of CyHi’s own initiative.
Ye was apparently very happy to welcome CyHi onto the project, which was recorded in Hawaii. CyHi claimed, “Once I went in there, he told me how much he loved me, how much I inspired him, how much I pushed him to, you know, write the best raps for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” But, even so, CyHi’s part on the track was initially meant to be small.
CyHi was recruited to record a little hook for the track, with the other rappers taking charge of the verses. But Ye apparently left him in the studio so he could get some sleep, and, by the time he came back, CyHi had recorded a full verse. Ye liked it, so he kept it in.
CyHi also claimed that his part on the song, and the wider album, was more important than might be immediately obvious. It wasn’t just about the verses he recorded—it was about the energy he injected into those around him.
“I was the dude who could always, like, rap on the spot,” he said. “I could always give energy to a song, give dope ideas, and so they was just really feeding off my energy.”