I first got introduced to the idea behind the Demiurge through the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series. Perhaps that’s not the “best” place to find out about and discover more on deep philosophical beliefs, but it is what it is. Knowledge knows no bounds.

This week, I came across UK artist James Chelliah, who, with his team, uses the concept of Yaldabaoth to discuss how we’ve become a society obsessed with likes and followers. That said, “Yaldabaoth” revolves around the concept that James would rather just be an idea than participate in social media foolishness more than needed. He’s at a point where he’s choosing his sanity over his existence, giving us some dark existentialist rhymes.

That’s partly because social media brings out the worst of us all and partly because we’re in a society that pressures you into engaging with people online. As good as I am with talking to people and as active as I am on socials, I’m actually pretty damn antisocial. Because of that, I get the vibes James’s going for here. It helps that his flow is a bit matter-of-fact-like which helps the lyrics hit that much harder. I love the acoustic version of the song (below) as well, as there’s even more emotional depth to it.

Check out the song if you’re in the mood for some existentialistic hip-hop with a soul and support dope music in all its forms.