In a time when hip hop dominates pop culture and the radio, new rap artists come and go like the changing of the wind. There are some staples of the industry, such as Kanye West and Eminem, but there are a much higher number of artists that suddenly emerge, and then almost as quickly, fall back into the shadow of the more prevalent rap icons.

Junior Alec Sells, or “A Sells,” has tried his hand at creating some of his own hip hop on his new album “Rise of the Underclassman.” Is it an indicator that a talented rap artist is on the rise in our community, or is it just another piece of music created by bored high schoolers that is as much at home in a trash can as it is in a car stereo?

The answer depends on the point of view of those listening. As compared to most music produced by high school artists, A Sells immediately rises high above the rest. The production quality is simply amazing, especially considering that the rhymes and vocals were likely recorded on a microphone in a closet soundproofed with towels and sheets. It is never a challenge for the listener to understand the lyrics, as the vocals are always crisp. It is quite clear that A Sells didn’t plan on releasing his album without making absolutely sure that the levels were balanced and the mixing was solid.

This brings me to the main positive aspect of A Sells’ album: the beats and the samples. They are clean, interesting, and add a level of depth to the music that is refreshing in a high school setting. Every sample used has relevance to the lyrics of the track it is featured on, giving the impression that the songs were almost written around certain selected samples. Whether this is true or not, the sampling is quite good throughout the entire album, particularly on “Popular” (featuring the track of the same name from the musical Wicked) and “Words I Made Up” (from the lyric of the Adele song “Melt My Heart to Stone” that is featured on the track).

The original beats are also pretty amazing, especially on “Bright Colored Sweaters,” which features a heavily distorted bass line that drives the track’s over-the-top ridiculous lyrics. Props are in order for the album’s producer Dayton Arellano, as he has compiled some creative beats and samples that are undoubtedly better than most of the recycled, overused beats you might hear behind any given generic hip hop song.

The main aspect that separates unique and creative hip hop from the generic is quite simple: the quality of the rapper. A Sells has some pretty impressive flow for the limited experience he has. Original high school hip hop often has an uncomfortable element, as every dropped beat and awkward rhyme often results in a chuckle of pity from the listener. A Sells manages to skirt this awkwardness with a flow that seems uncharacteristic for a white teenager from the Lucas area.

He also never seems to lose track of who he is; rather, his lyrics never stray to things he isn’t. He doesn’t claim to be “bumping in the club” or “making bread on the hard streets of Compton.” A Sells’ lyrical content, when it succeeds, covers issues that are relevant to him, such as popularity, girls, and schoolwork. A rapper, or any musician, tends to perform at their best when their lyrics are about things they care about. Tracks like “Popular” and “Maybe” build a persona for A Sells that is believable and relevant.

Occasionally, the lyrics seem to drift to the generic rap topic of “haters gonna hate” and “I’m so awesome,” in what seems to be verses written simply to fill empty space on a track. The assorted guest verses are also a bit lackluster (with a few exceptions), as they often embody the most generic of hip hop lyrics. The “filler” verses may make some listeners zone out, but the solid beats and high production quality is sure to retain the attention of even the most scrutinizing music fan.

Another awkward element of the album is the occasional auto-tuned chorus. There is a reason most rappers bring on actual vocalists to sing their choruses. It isn’t that the choruses on this CD are bad, it’s just that they’re a bit boring and forgettable. It’s a minor setback that only slightly detracts from the overall experience.

“The Rise of the Underclassman” remains interesting from beginning to end simply through the sheer variety of each track. It’s obvious that this isn’t a CD from an artist that has an established identity or niche, as is often the case with hip hop (i.e. Kanye’s sampling prowess and Eminem’s angry, over the top lyrics). This is one aspect that benefits from A Sells’ experience and age. The tracks vary greatly, from “Lonely Island-esque” lyrics on “Bright Colored Sweaters” to an old school sample on “Maybe” that is very much in the style of Kanye West. A Sells seems to have experimented with a variety of styles, which will ensure listeners never grow weary of an overused beat.

Overall, A Sells’ debut album “The Rise of the Underclassman” is a triumph of high school music. It has the occasional dry verse and awkward chorus, but taking the production quality and all of the awesome verses into account, it is a truly amazing accomplishment. Sure, taking all of hip hop into account (however popular), A Sells’ album is nothing groundbreaking. He probably won’t dominate any iPods with the tracks on this album, but the album is still certainly worth a listen or two. The fact that it’s a debut album is impressive, but additionally that it’s coming from a high schooler, with little to no experience in the industry, makes “The Rise of the Underclassman” quite remarkable. A Sells delivers a debut album that is an entertaining listen and is sure to bring enjoyment to any curious or skeptical hip hop fan, as long as they don’t expect anything revolutionary.