Heroes and Villains: The Dichotomy of Brilliance From Lyndon Laveaux and Young Tez

If you’ve been craving a hip-hop album that isn’t afraid to challenge its audience—or its creators—look no further than Heroes and Villains, the collaborative opus from Lyndon Laveaux and Young Tez.

This project doesn’t just straddle the line between vulnerability and bravado; it catapults over it with the precision of a seasoned acrobat. For Lyndon Laveaux, a man whose life has been shaped by the lyrical lessons of Queen Latifah and the raw industrial beats of Nine Inch Nails, this album is more than music.

It’s a testament to growth, healing, and the art of storytelling. Teaming up with his “big brother,” Young Tez, Laveaux dives headfirst into the duality of human nature, peeling back layers of brash confidence to reveal a tender core.

A Tale of Two Sides

From the opening track, Heroes and Villains wastes no time making a bold statement. Each song feels like a lyrical sparring match, with Tez setting the tone and Laveaux answering the call. This dynamic forces both artists to elevate their craft. “Steel sharpens steel,” as Lyndon puts it, and you can feel the heat of the forge in every bar.

The braggadocious lines hit hard, but it’s the moments of vulnerability that truly shine. Tracks like “Win” pull back the curtain to reveal raw, unfiltered humanity. Laveaux confronts deeply personal trauma with a candor that is as brave as it is cathartic. His revelation about past abuse, brought to light through therapy, transforms the track into an anthem of resilience. It’s a moment that not only underscores his lyrical prowess but also his courage as an artist.

Sonically, the album is a rollercoaster, moving seamlessly from head-nodding bangers to introspective slow burns. Credit must be given to the production team, which includes some of Lyndon’s longtime collaborators like The Track Burnaz. The beats are rich and textured, perfectly complementing the lyrical depth of the project.

“Shangri’La,” a standout collaboration with Swaggfia’s Princess Rocki So Crazi, is an absolute gem—equal parts hypnotic and electrifying. It’s the kind of track that stays in your head long after the last note fades.

Thematically, Heroes and Villains feels like a thesis on duality. Are we heroes in our own stories or villains in someone else’s? Can we be both? These questions weave through the album, challenging listeners to reflect on their own lives. The synergy between Lyndon and Tez is undeniable, with each artist pushing the other to dig deeper, hit harder, and soar higher.

At its heart, Heroes and Villains is a masterclass in collaboration. It’s a project that proves hip-hop is at its best when it’s raw, honest, and unafraid. Lyndon Laveaux and Young Tez don’t just belong in the great arena of hip-hop—they’ve carved out their own section, complete with a neon sign that says, “We’re here to stay.”

What do they hope you’ll take away? When two artists challenge each other, magic happens. And in this case, that magic is a deeply human exploration of pain, triumph, and everything in between.

Heroes and Villains isn’t just an album. It’s an experience and one that hip-hop fans can’t afford to miss.

Your music often balances raw vulnerability with bold confidence, especially on Heroes and Villains. How do you decide how much of yourself to reveal in your lyrics, and has that balance evolved over time?

Young Tez: Honestly I'm not sure. I'm transparent so vulnerability comes somewhat natural in my music and it's only getting better.

Lyndon: Years ago I asked a dancer friend of mine who’s an incredible freestyler, I asked how does he come up with such explosive dynamic movement within the moment he simply said “the music tells me what to do” as I continues sharpening my sword as an MC, and developing songwriting skills, I began to understand what he meant by that. Whenever I’m writing a song I listen to the beat and I listen for the tone the beat is conveying, what story of the soul is it asking me to reveal. Is it sexy? Is it bravado? Or is it my inner child’s turn to pick up the mic. I allow my soul/music to dictate what I’m gonna write about, when I’m a feature on a record I feel most of the heavy lifting is already done, the hook, a verse from a talented individual informs me where my writing needs to go so all I have to do is just add color to an establish painting.

Collaboration seems to be a cornerstone of your journey from The Track Burnaz to Young Tez. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from working with other artists, and how has it shaped your growth as an MC?

Young Tez: It helps you grow. Working with others, definitely my brothers, pushes me to really put my all into it. New sounds, new vibes, new energy always can help in one way or another, be it good or bad.

Lyndon: Celebrating someone else’s light doesn’t dim yours, someone else’s talent or success shouldn’t intimidate you but inspire you, whenever I work with Tez, Rocki So Crazi, or anybody under the Swaggfia Collective I’m inspired. People love my verse on Walk In, I wrote that cause I was fighting for my life (lol) Tez’s verses are monstrous, so you can’t follow him with some weak ish. I’m gonna come correct every time I perform with my family. I find myself constantly amazed by what they bring to the table. I'm motivated to bring my A game, that’s what I look for in other artists outside my crew as well. Steel Sharpens steel!You’ve spoken about how therapy helped you process your past and translate that into music. How has confronting your wounds influenced your creative process, and what advice would you give to artists hesitant to channel personal pain into their art?

In Heroes and Villains, you explore the dichotomy of being both a hero and a villain in different contexts. How has that theme played out in your own life, and how do you hope listeners connect with it in their own journeys?

Young Tez: Good and bad, something everyone has. We're even relating with people in the title. 

Lyndon: My father wasn’t in my life much and I searched for his love in all the wrong places, the amount of fights I got in just so I can have male validation. So many choices I made because I was running away from wounds when I think on too long make me cringe. So with that there are definitely people out there who may not think of me in the best light because of the hurt version of me they met. Changed behavior is the best apology so all I can hope for is that I do better as I learn from those experiences. I think most of us can relate to that, we’re all doing our best, we’re not gonna get it right every time but the good news is everytime you’re gifted waking up it’s an opportunity to do better. The most authentic version of you is the most beautiful you can be.

You’ve worked with a diverse range of talents, from producers to engineers and fellow artists. How do you choose who to collaborate with, and what qualities do you look for in creative partners?

Young Tez: I like working with anyone who likes to work. You have the passion and are serious about your craft, I'm down. You have to market yourself and promote yourself and we can make things happen.

Lyndon: I look in collaboration what I look for in all my relationships sincerity. I love it when it happens organically too, I don’t want anything I do to solely feel transactional, I have to enjoy your music, also I read your energy, I like working with people who treat others with respect, and who lead with gratitude. Granted sometimes you might not like everything about another artist but if they’re genuine that goes a long way for me. Oh yeah and be dope at what you do.

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