Black Hollywood

Camp Lo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Traffic (The Orchard)
• ASIN: B000SBH5V8
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,748 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Camp Lo is back! The Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede duo return with their highly anticipated album called "Black Hollywood", produced exclusively by the legendary Ski Beatz. Fans of Camp Lo's 1996 debut classic "Uptown Saturday Night" album will surely be satisfied by the group's return with an updated version of their infectious Bronx soul that the group is known for and their lyrics that consist partly of Blaxploitation-style Dadaist slang. Making their first appearance on "The Great White Hype" soundtrack, their smooth party song single "Coolie High" was a minor hit, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. The first major exposure came with the release of their second single, the upbeat and horn driven "Luchini aka This Is It." The song became a crossover hit in 1997, breaking into the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reaching the top 5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The duo released their debut album in January 1997. The effort was widely acclaimed, praised for their light accessible content and their smooth, funk and jazz inspired production. They went on to release a sophomore album called "Let's Do It Again" in 2002. Jump ahead to 2007 and be prepared for the arrival of a new Camp Lo, produced by the one and only Ski Beatz. Previously known just as Ski, Ski Beatz is best known for his work with Jay-Z on the album "Reasonable Doubt." He's also produced tracks for AZ, Lil' Kim, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown and of course he did almost the entire Camp Lo debut album "Uptown Saturday Night."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "P-P-P-P-Posse from the Bronx is HERE!" (3.5/5), July 24, 2007

By 

ctrx ('bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Black Hollywood (Audio CD)

Camp Lo's third album, 2007's "In Black Hollywood," dropped quickly and quietly this week to little fanfare. This is too bad, because Camp Lo is one of the most interesting and unique hip hop crews around, and they also made one of the finest albums of the last ten years in their 1997 debut Uptown Saturday Night. Unfortunately, they have sustained a career of putting out exactly one album every five years, so ten years later they have yet to top that classic effort. Uptown Saturday Night was a party album that succeeded due to the style brought by Camp Lo's MCs Sonny Cheeba and Geechie Suede, as well as the producer Ski, the producer responsible for Original Flavor and Jay-Z's debut Reasonable Doubt. They brought a majestic, rich, and dense sound that nostalgically celebrated the blaxploitation era, with original sounds taking from jazz, funk, soul, and even international music in places. As MCs, Cheeba and Suede are definitely a little more style than substance, but this sets them apart. They use a huge amount of old-fashioned slang, so much at some points that their verses can be indecipherable. But when they rap back and forth to each other about made-up characters with disco slang, it's sure to bring a smile to your face. "Black Hollywood" finds Camp Lo paired once again with Ski, who produces each track.

The album's brief at 12 tracks, each averaging about two-and-a-half minutes (none even approach 4 minutes), altogether clocking in at about 35 minutes. But that aside, the album is structured pretty similarly to their debut. The production takes from a bygone era, and Ski's beats are creative and clever throughout. It's so much fun to hear Camp Lo rapping over great beats once again, and for the majority of the time, it really works. However, it's pretty clear that this just doesn't have the same energy as their debut. Geechie and Cheeba don't rap as fast or joyfully as they once did, and the level of creativity is also lower. A few tracks are dragged down by some pretty average subject matter, even though with their immense style it becomes bearable. With one or two exceptions, the album doesn't really recapture the magic of "Luchini aka This Is It," "Sparkle," or "Coolie High," but it's truly enjoyable anyway. The one-of-a-kind Camp Lo product is something I always really liked, and it's in full supply on "Black Hollywood."

The album starts with the upbeat "Posse From the Bronx," a head-nodding, bass-heavy opener. The hook is great and it's a nice start. "82 Afros" is a stylish, standard Camp Lo cut with the nostalgic slang and flair that is their signature. I really like "Soul Fever," a happy and fast song with another nice hook that really evokes the spirit of Uptown Saturday Night. "Pushahoe" is okay but a little uninspired, but "Suga Willie's Revenge" is better, with a nice flute-laden beat and the classic Camp Lo flavor. "Jack N' Jill" feels a little distant, but I really like the production even if the verses aren't the best. I feel the same about "Material," the lyrics are pretty run-of-the-mill but the nice production and style make it okay. "Money Clap" is alright but fairly forgettable, and the reggae-fueled "Ganja Lounge" is fun. The best song without a doubt is "Black Hollywood," the title track. The beat on this one is incredible, surely bringing back memories of "Luchini" with the majestic, rich, and upbeat horn lines. I love the way Cheeba and Suede bring chemistry and energy to this song, this is the soulful, nostalgic Camp Lo at their finest. The short "Zoom" feels a little low-key, and the album closes on a great note with "Sweet Claudine," one of its best songs, a sweetly soulful, string-laced joint.

As a low-profile indie release, I don't expect this album to find much press, but it's one of the more enjoyable albums of 2007. Uptown Saturday Night is an album I keep on regular rotation even today, and "In Black Hollywood" did not disappoint. The majestic sound and fun style is here, even if there is some subpar material in between. There's a drought of great rap music right now, but this is so refreshing in 2007, just like their debut was ten years ago. Don't expect to be blown away by this album, it's not spectacular, but to longtime fans of Camp Lo, definitely consider adding "In Black Hollywood" to the collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A COOL , ORIGINAL BRONX STYLE REFRESHES THE SQUALOR OF THE TOPICAL HIP HOP SCENE !!!!!!, August 19, 2007

By 

OrganJazzMan (Italy) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Hollywood (Audio CD)

This cd is hot and cool, the beats are fresh and the lyrics are full of style !

For example, if you listen to Jay-Z albums ( God let us a close shave !), you cry buckets out of despair of the beats and of the lyrics, but if you play this one, the life smiles on you.

The topical Hip Hop is rapresented in wrong way by worthless rappers that don't know where the good taste resides !!!

Camp Lo is a duo from the Bronx (NYC)constituted by Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede and they use slang often to the point of incomprehensibility. The result is a amalgamated mixture of rhymes, that slips on the beats as oil !!!

Enjoy it !!!

P.S.:Check up my rap listmania, just clicking on my nickname and clicking above my listmania, also at the American version of this excellent website. Here there are 40 Hip-Hop albums choosed by me just for winning people and not for fans of the mortal masochism rap !!!

I assure that in my rap albums' list you will find the best American Hip-Hop albums. There are dance beats and strong ones and lyrics just for the winninf person in the life !!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roll out the red carpet..., March 16, 2008

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Hollywood (Audio CD)

Camp Lo will probably forever be remembered by hip-hop audiences for "Luchini". But the problem they have now is whether or not they can be said to still have a fanbase because they have taken half a decade off between each album. Thankfully, their latest album Black Hollywood is full of good stuff.

Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede still have the goods to paint vivid lyrical pictures, especially when it comes to stories. Case in point: while songs about gold-digging women are beginning to get played out, "Material" is rather interesting. And "Jack n' Jill" is a love story not to be taken lightly. Other highlights include "Sweet Claudine", "Posse from the Bronx" and the metaphorically dope "Pushahoe".

While only 35 minutes in length, Camp Lo proves with this album that they still know how to drop on-point rhymes. Though at times they might be showing signs of age (see "Soul Fever"), you still shouldn't mind taking a trip to Black Hollywood.

Anthony Rupert