The Message Blog: Kidz in the Hall

Review - Wu-Tang Clan: Pollen - The Swarm Part III

Posted by elmattic On June 24, 2010

In 1898, the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists led the Boxer Rebellion in China. They attacked thinking that their martial arts training would make them fly, be immune to bullets and call on spirit soldiers. Guess what, that didn't work out too good. Pollen is kinda like the Boxer Rebellion. The Wu's been rolling for 17 years now, and the ancient arts of shadowboxing on their own aren't enough in the modern world. I mean, what exactly is the point of another album of the A and B team Clan over middling beats?

Review - Everliven Sound - Freedom 2

Posted by Wally $ean On June 23, 2010

With the underground hip-hop scene producing so many new artists, it’s surprising to see how many are looking at the industry with the assailing eye of veteran rhymers. Take the duo Everliven Sound, also known as emcees the UK's Skit Skam and NJ's Cymarshall Law: although both are relatively fresh-faces in the game, their attitude, style and sound are something of a throwback. On their latest project together Freedom 2, Skit and Cy once again exhibit wisdom and abilities beyond their years, despite a number of problems.

Review - Godilla - Jaguar Paw

Posted by Wally $ean On May 19, 2010

The Jaguar Warrior was a terrifying Aztec soldier who brutalized his victims and captured survivors for ritual sacrifice...With an M.O. like that, it's no wonder why rapper Godilla seemingly pays homage to them on the cover of his LP Jaguar Paw, and he does so with good reason. The Easton, PA emcee and Snowgoons collaborator is out for weak emcees' blood on this album. Although it's not a perfect, with some lackluster beats and bars, it's an inspired, cohesive album that harkens back to he golden era of hip-hop while adding a dash of Latin flavor to spice up the recipe.

Review - The Closers - Bullpen Sessionz

Posted by Wally $ean On March 21, 2009

Hardcore gutter rap is something of a rarity these days. Apart from artists like Blaq Poet and Roc Marciano, very few emcees these days spit that raw shit that sounds like the soundtrack to getting yapped for all of your personal belongings. Yet hope is not lost for fans of that hard-body, get-mushed-or-moshed-out-type steez: The Closers - a four man collective of Shabaam Sahdeeq, Red Eye and the production combo Thorotracks - are up to bat with their latest project Bullpen Sessionz, and they're swinging away like the Baseball Furies.

Review - Statik Selektah - 100 Proof (The Hangover)

Posted by Wally $ean On February 10, 2010

For the past three years, Massachusetts producer and DJ Statik Selektah has had the underground hip-hop scene firmly under his thumb. With a barrage of mixtapes, guest productions and a nearly annual onslaught of album releases, Statik has managed to transform his little Showoff Records imprint into a burgeoning success, helping to propel emcees like Reks and Termanology into the spotlight. Now, Mr. Spell My Name Right is back with his third studio album 100 Proof (The Hangover).

Kidz in the Hall - "Flickin'"

Posted by Wally $ean On Monday, August 03, 2009

New joint from the Kidz in the Hall called "Flickin'" off their upcoming album Land of Make-Believe. Hurr's some info:

Today Kidz In The Hall will be world premiering the first single, " FLICKIN "off their upcoming album, LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE in stores October 13th on Duck Down Records.

Kidz In The Hall have matured in their music to discover who they truly are as artists. Having the opportunity to reflect on their body of work and analyze both their strengths and weaknesses has enabled the group to redefine both their goals, aspirations and at the same time expose what the music industry can do to those closely involved with it.

Kidz In The Hall are embarking on their next journey into the LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE. For Naledge, MC of Kidz In The Hall, he sees the project as "the moment we have worked for has come to a crossroad. We strive for success in this music industry, but we have never taken time to look ourselves in the mirror and analyze what this industry has made us. As a lyricist, I used this album to serve as a soundtrack to my aspirations and to my downfalls, but also as a chance to evaluate who I am as a man compared to whom I envisioned myself to be.”

Examining the current climate of our world today, LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE, is a timely reminder for us all to take a step back and analyze how we can strive to be better and achieve more. Double-O highlights this further by saying that "The Land of Make Believe is different things for different people. For us it is the space between where we are now as artists and where we feel we should be. It's the idea that until you actually get to your destination or goal you have to act like you are already there.”

The first single from the album, "FLICKIN", currently available at iTunes worldwide, is a prime example of dichotomy of imagination and reality. The title is a colloquial Chicago term. Naledge explains "Flickin'" is the idea that at any point in time something is photo-ready or picturesque. When I was younger it was used to describe a person's car, shoes, haircut, or outfit. Any material possession with physical beauty.” "Confidence is key" Double-0 adds, "The song should make you feel good when you look in the mirror regardless of what you have on."

Just last year Kidz In The Hall released their critically acclaimed album, The In Crowd, (May 2008) which propelled them into the limelight with key tracks like "DRIVING DOWN THE BLOCK," and "LOVE HANGOVER" featuring Estelle. With tremendous support from national video networks the videos for these songs were placed in heavy rotation and even highlighted on shows such as MTV's TRL and BET's 106 & Park.

Kidz In The Hall went on to land exciting licensing deals with their music featured in EA Sports Madden 09, Rockstar Game's Midnight Club LA, Activision's Pimp My Ride 2 and EA Sports upcoming game NBA LIVE 2010.

The group remained active touring both North America and Europe, performing with the likes of Method Man & Redman, Gym Class Heroes, Atmosphere, The Clipse, MURS, and as a part of Rock The Bells and Paid Dues Tours.

It was this heavy activity that caught the attention of REEBOK, who enlisted Kidz In The Hall to be the first group representing their GLOBAL REEBOK CLASSICS CAMPAIGN. Kidz In The Hall remixed Special Ed’s “I GOT IT MADE,” filmed a video for the track, and were featured in over 500 Foot Locker Locations.