Music Reviews
Artist:
Kidz in the HallTitle:
School Was My HussleLabel:
RawkusWebsite:
http://www.kidzinthehall.com
In an age when 50 Cent style thuggery rules supreme over the hip hop world boasting a uni degree is unlikely do much for your street cred or your record sales. Kidz in the Hall have refused to shy away from the fact that they are both university educated and their first UK release School Was My Hustle is due out later this month.
MC Naledge and DJ/producer Double-0 met at the University of Pennsylvania and after a series of mix tapes worked their way into the now resurrected Rawkus Records. As for the name School was My Hustle Naledge explains its all about getting from point A to B; some kids do it by selling crack, other pushing dope – his hustle was school.
Kidz have worked with the likes of Rhymefest, and Just Blaze - their influence is clear and they acknowledge that if it wasn't for Blaze they probably wouldn't be where they are today. The production on the album is smooth and sample heavy; Go Ill goes with a funky blaxploitation beat while Wheelz Fall Off makes great use of the 93 Til Infinity loop, Don’t Stop opts for the same sample Blaze used on Jay Z’s Show Me What You Got.
Critics in the US have been quick to point out the duo aren’t offering anything new - a fair point but does it matter? Naledge’s style is easily accessible but at times he does seem torn between the backpack/conscious/battle rapper and the commercial rapper. They aren't too comfortable with the term conscious rap but are clever enough to know that accepting the label makes them easier to market. In their own words they are a bit like Kanye with Common and twist of Jay, though they're more J-5 than Jay Z. Their jazz and soul driven beats have also led to comparisons with Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli.
Most are agreed that Don’t Stop and Wheelz are the standout tracks but my vote goes to Wassup Jo’. The rhymes may not be the most imaginative “The revolution is here, the revolution is here . . . I’m a man’s man,” but with its infectious sample and breezy beat its hard to switch off.
Its an impressive debut but if they are to return Rawkus to its former glory they’ll need to become a bit more adventurous.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: March 26th
Words By: Joe Kent
