Customer Reviews

The In Crowd

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)

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!

4.5 stars! The star of this album is double-o(the producer of the group). His beats remind of a mixture between Bink & Justblaze. Naledge is much improved but still gets overshadowed by every guest even almost by buckshot(which is saying something). It's not that he sucks or anything I just tend to expect more from a chi-town nicca with an Ivy league education. Other that this is a must have for 2008 or any year for that matter. Skyzoo, Sean Price, Black Milk(co-producer on 2 songs), Buckshot, Phonte & Pusha T all kill they're guest spots.

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!

I bought this album just to take a chance on a group that I had never heard before. Thinking that maybe I might hear one song that may sound ok, but this whole album is off the charts or should be on the charts. This album's beats and production are Great. Even the guest artists are on point with their rap. I love the whole CD, but my favorite songs are Paper Trail, Lucifers Joyride (Great beat), Snob Hop ft Camp Lo, Let Your Hair Down, In The Crowd (I thought sure PHARRELL was on the production and singing the hook for this one until I looked at the credits for the song.), The Pledge (Best Rap, Beat, and background singing on the CD), and of course the Remix to Drivin' Down The Block with Bun B on the track. I hope more people listen to this Album. Don't sleep on this group, I think "KIDZ IN THE HALL" are going to be around for a while.

10 STARS, I LOVE THIS CD. LYRICS ARE SO SMOOTH, PEOPLE ARENT DYING ON EVERY SONG, RIMS ARENT SPINNING AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED, THERES A LITTLE BLINGISH TALK, BUT ITS MOSTLY JUST ILL LYRICISM. PRODUCTION IS REALLY WHAT MAKES THIS CD BETTER THAN MOST. THE COMBO OF DOUBLE O PRODUCTION IS PERFECT FOR NALEDGE.

If you are looking for more than just the typical guns, drugs, girls, clubs ritual of most hip hop today then you should look no further than this album by Kidz in the Hall. With fresh beats and even more appealing lyrics, they offer up a new challenge to hip hop wannabes, and raise the stakes on a genre that seems plagued by one hit wonders and disappointing production.

There creativity and the flow is phenominal!. Loved the CD you hve to go out and get it and see for yourself!.

There's a movement a'brewing in rap these days. With sales being down and faux gangstaism seeing it's decline, it's time to usher in something new. I present to you: Kidz In the Hall. Dope beats, fly lyrics, entertainment and style all rolled up into one. It harkens back to the days when rappers valued being different over being exactly the same. It's not about being hard, it's about spitting bars and Kidz In The Hall have more bars than the stars.