OVERALL RATING:
After their freshman album “School Was My Hustle", The Kidz In The Hall are back and better then last time with their new album “The In Crowd.” After giving this album a few listens, I was able to discover a group that talks about all sorts of topics. An interesting fact about this group is that their Ivy-League graduates, and it makes people wonder why they went into music instead of a typical office job. Obviously Naledge and Double O have a love for the Hip Hop culture and they both proved it big time on this album.
Top 5 Tracks:
Inner Me
The Pledge
Lucifer's Joyride
Middle Of The Map Part 2
Drivin' Down The Block
Production of this album was all done by Double O and he did a phenomenal job. “Inner Me” and “Lucifers Joyride” both have sick beats that really drew my attention into the song. Black Milk also did some production on “Middle of The Map Part 1 & 2" and he did a decent job and put out two solid beats with Double O.
Kidz In The Hall - Drivin' Down The Block
The lead single off the album is “Drivin’ Down the Block”. It features samples of Masta Ace’s “Born To Roll” and OutKast’s “Elevators”. It contains a good beat by Double O, as well as some amazing lines from Naledge. One of my favorites on the song is “I’m stuntin’ like David Blaine”. If the Kidz had more exposure this song would be a major hit.
The album starts out with an amazing track, “Black Out”. It really showcases how talented Naledge is as he uses very complex rhymes and a great flow throughout the song. This also has one of my favorite beats in the album. Half way through the first verse the beat switches for a little while and it is just an ill beat when you hear it. “Paper Trail” also has some fantastic lyricism from Naledge as he talks about how they’re leaving there trail all around the world. “Lucifers Joyride” contains one of the sickest beats on the album. This song has more of a feel good approach then most songs on the album.
My favorite track on the album is “Inner Me”. The lyrics and beat combination are just outstanding. Naledge explains how his inner person is the most important thing you should look at. Up and coming Detroit rapper Black Milk is featured on Middle of the Map Part. 2. He also produced the track along with part 1. Black Milk proves once again that he is a great lyricist as he just rips this track to shreds.
The Kidz In The Hall brought it big time on “The In Crowd”. The lyricism of Naledge and the production by Double O were a perfect combination to make this album good. Watch out for these guys in the future because I see this group going places.
