Search - Kidz in the Hall :: The In Crowd

Double O's Production and Guest Appearances Makes This Album

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 10/10/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I remember late in '06, I was at work and one of my friends let me hear this group called Kidz In The Hall's debut album School Was My Hustle. I really enjoyed that album, even though I only listened to it once (I think I reviewed that one as well). Moving from Rawkus Records to Duck Down (the home of The Boot Camp Clik) the come out with a new album with a huge buzz from their lead single "Drivin' Down The Block".



What I quickly noticed about Naledge's rhymes is that they are very cliched. To be very honest, he really isn't saying anything new, or anything different than what I normally hear from other mainstream artists (while listening, I wondered where they always like this). He is easily outshined by Phonte on "Paper Trail". The same thing happens when he is paired up with Camp Lo on "Snob Hop". The hook on the latter is weak, as it's the same as an old Black Sheep Song. And I won't get into the obvious on the remix of "Drivin' Down The Block".



There are some good rhymes that he spits though. Naledge does hold his own on a few songs, such as the original version of "Drivin' Down The Block". "Mr. Alladat****" is pretty fresh as well. There are a few more scattered throughout the album, but it's very limited.



The good thing about this album are the guest appearances. As mentioned before Phonte does his thing on "Paper Trail". Camp Lo sounds like they never missed a step on "Snob Hop". Estelle's voice vibes real well on "Love Hangover". Skyzoo drops a dope verse on "Let Your Hair Down". And veterans Sean Price and Buckshot drops in for "The Pledge". Now that I look at the track listing on the back, every song except one ("Inner Me") has a guest appearance (some may or may say "Drivin' Down The Block" but I think that really isn't Masta Ace, but a sample of him). There really isn't a problem with that. Although when most of them outshine you, there is a problem.



The production here by Double O is mostly on point. He uses a lot of vocal samples in his production. "Let Your Hair Down" has nice production. And the aforementioned "Mr. Alladat****" is produced well too.



Expect this album to be dope overall. There is not a whole lot of substance lyrically from Naledge. The guests and the production are what makes this album. This one should be enjoyed by fans of the group, or people who look for something to jam to other than whats on the radio. The positives on this album warrant a purchase, but hopefully for the next album the lyrics will be much better. Peace.



Lyrics: C+

Production: B+

Guest Appearances: A-

Musical Vibes: B+



Top 5 Tracks:

1. Drivin' Down The Block (Remix) (featuring Pusha T., The Cool Kids, and Bun B)

2. Love Hangover (featuring Estelle)

3. Let Your Hair Down (featuring Skyzoo & Lil Eddie)

4. Middle Of The Map Pt. 2 (featuring Black Milk & Guilty Simpson)

5. The Pledge (featuring Sean Price & Buckshot)



Honorable Mention:

1. Drivin' Down The Block

2. Snob Hop (featuring Camp Lo)

3. Mr. Alladat**** (featuring Donnis & Chip Tha Ripper)"

Buy It

D. Burke | 05/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not going to lie, I downloaded this first to check it out. I thought they were trying to rip off Handsome Boy Modeling School, but that's not at all what they're about.



So after a couple of listens I'm extremely impressed with what I've heard. The production is top notch,really makes the cd shine, not one weak beat on the cd. The lyrics are way better than average, these kids can spit.The guest appearances are all solid as well.



If your looking for some good hip-hop, buy this cd. Second best cd I've heard this year, next to The Rising Down.



SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC!"

Great ALBUM! Fantastic flow! Highly recommended!

B. Iruke | Detroit, MI by way of Houston , TX | 08/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Im extremely impressed by this release from the rap dup Kidz in the Hall. Truly a fantastic masterpiece. This group reminds me of some of the legendary underground groups of him hops past, like Zion I, Pharcyde, Tribe called Quest, Beatnuts, and others.





Truly a breath of fresh air in a stale hiphop environment. And its great that the rep Detroit, because Lord knows we need to hear about something positive from the great city of Detroit!"