<br /> Kidz In The Hall The In Crowd Album Cover

Chicago-based, Hip-Hop duo Kidz In The Hall garnered considerable recognition with their well-rounded debut, 2006′s School Was My Hustle. Hailed by critics as a “throwback” to the days when rap music thrived more so off it’s content than character, producer Double-O and emcee Naledge earned more props than platinum but these scholars graduated in more ways than one. Back with a new deal with the rejuvenated independent powerhouse Duck Down Records, the Kidz make a marginal improvement on their initial outing mainly due to Double-O’s upgraded production game, but Naledge opts to settle for style over substance making The In Crowd satisfactory when it could have been substantial.

Ironically “Cruise Control” was on the first LP, but on The In Crowd, Naledge puts his pen on auto-pilot and let’s the ink get a little sloppy on his notepad. Opening himself up to flub on the title track (“Skirts shorter than the midgets that be on Hell Date”), poisoned by swagger on the glossy “Mr. AllDatShit,” or even jacking Biggie’s hook from Lil’ Kim’s “Crush On You” on the soulful, Skyzoo assisted “Let Your Hair Down” suggest the introspective MC may have been grasping for the mainstream a little too hard. Despite it’s “whip appeal,” the lead single “Drivin’ The Block (Low End Theory)” can easily be dismissed as a Cool Kids/Clipse ripoff (note their respective appearances on the remix).

Naledge best exhibits his capabilities on joints like “The Black Out,” with the rapid-fire lyricism and aggressive bass loops reminiscent of Eric B & Rakim’s “Know The Ledge.”

The album’s biggest draw comes thanks to Double O’s colorful soundbeds and the stocky guest list. On “Paper Trail,” the wailing horns and sticky high hats give Little Brother’s Phonte and Naledge the perfect foundation to woo with figurative language. Labelmates Sean Price and Buckshot make effective testimonies on “The Pledge,” and Double O cleverly switches his style to electronica that suite Estelle’s infectious chorus and Naledge’s playful cadence on “Love Hangover.” But it’s Pistons meets Bulls for the bare-bones “Midwest Thang Parts 1 & 2.” With Black Milk doubling as rapper and producer, Guilty Simpson and Naledge go toe to toe for bragging rights for their respective cities.

With Double O excelling and Naledge coasting, The In Crowd gets a passing grade with loads of leftover potential. Allowing guests to fill the potholes in the road handicaps the LP, especially when Naledge is a more than capable master of ceremony. History shows that sophomore years are notoriously shaky ground and this offering reiterates the lesson. Hopefully by the time senior year rolls around, KITH will be head of their class.

3cigs

For all things KITH-related including release info, vids & performance dates, visit www.kidzinthehall.com.