Kidz in the Hall - Album review
Rawkus Records returns with the duo, Kidz In The Hall. School Was My Hustle is a Hip-Hop album that is both current and nostalgic without being trendy or retro. Ivy League grads, Naledge and Double O have created an album that bridges the streets and the suburbs in a way that's not corny. If Kanye was the College dropout then Kidz In The Hall are the College Graduates.
Kidz in the Hall are the part of the all new Rawkus Records. The label is attempting to return to their former glory after moving off the radar several years ago. The Hip-Hop label was started in the late 90’s by Brian Brater and Jarret Meyer and funded partially by James Murdoch, son of Fox mogul Rupert Murdoch. Rawkus helped launch the careers of Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli), Hi-Tek and Pharoahe Monch.
Since these days people seem to pay attention to the beats before the rhymes I’ll address the production first. The beats are funky, ass shaking, head noddin, “that’s my joint”, songs like “Move On Up” or “Cruise Control”. DJ and producer Double O has spent time refining his production skills but spending time in the studio with producer, Just Blaze didn’t hurt either. Double O uses a multitude of sounds in his productions that give the album a dynamic sound that is missing in the days of simplistic D4L beats. Check out the banger “Don’t stop” which was the cause of many conversations about who used the sample from Jay-Z’s “Show Em What You Got” first.
Now back to the MC, Naledge. The Chicago native describes himself as a “college bred rap star, walking contradiction” on “Cruise Control”. Naledge’s rhymes have a distinct clarity which allows him to connect with listeners. Like many of the MC’s of Hip-Hop’s Golden Era, Naledge is not afraid to talk about real topics like infidelity, materialism, racism and College life. Songs like “Dumb Ass Tales” (not to be confused with Too $hort’s Freaky Tales) talk about the contradictions of “middle class kids yelling drugs for sale”. Look for the solo album from Naledge in 2007, Naledge Is Power.
Stand out tracks on School Was My Hustle include “Ritalin”, “Move on Up”, “Don’t Stop” and the Souls of Mischief flavored, “Wheelz Fall Off (06' Til)”. I say go cop this album, yesterday.
Check out CraveOnline’s interview with Naledge and Double O here.
For more info on Kidz In The Hall check their site here.
