Yung Joc News

Atlanta rap newcomer Yung Joc had some of the unlikeliest fans long before the release of his anticipated debut album. Tom Cruise and US soccer star Clint Dempsey have been seen doing the MC's signature "Joc'n" dance, which mimics the revving of a motorcycle. (Cruise got down while promoting "Mission Impossible 3" on BET, and Dempsey's display was a post-goal celebration during a World Cup warm-up match.)

Joc demonstrated the dance in the video for his chart-topping song "It's Goin' Down," and it's little surprise the tune has made such mainstream inroads. Acts from Atlanta have dominated the rap scene this year, with major party anthems from Dem Franchize Boyz, Young Jeezy and D4L. Joc's woozy flow and the synth-driven track are along similar undeniably catchy lines. But on "Hear Me Coming," Joc's quick to assert: "A one-hit wonder? How the hell you figure that?/ My rhymes like crack, fiends screaming, 'Gimme that.'"

Um, not exactly. Joc's monotonous delivery is largely limited to tales of crack dealing, gun bucking and woman chasing, and it grows tiresome by mid-disc. The subtle acoustic guitar riffs that flit between the crass come-ons of "1st Time" (featuring R&B whiner Marques Houston) are welcome relief. But on "Patron," he forces: "Gotta get the riches/ From the looks of thangs/ Y'all getting JC Penney's." Such lyrical duds threaten to keep Joc from realizing his next-big thing potential.