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Boyz N Da Hood - Back Up N Da ChevyAlbum Review by:
John Burnett
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
 There is no Boyz n da Hood without Young Jeezy or at least, that’s how some fans felt. Like him or not, there’s a certain presence Young Jeezy brings to a track and one has to wonder how the group could replace that energy. It didn’t take long for the group to begin recruiting a substitute. Then came the rumors about the addition of T.I., Rick Ross and Lil Wayne but when the dust had finally settled, the group’s sole addition came in the form of newcomer, Gorilla Zoe. Plain and simple, Boyz n da Hood’s second LP Back Up N Da Chevy will either be proof that the group can make good records without Mr. 17-5 or evidence that there is no Boyz n da Hood without Young Jeezy. I’m leaning towards the latter.
Similar to their first LP, the Boyz n da Hood want you to know from the jump this is nothing but gangsta rap. On the aggressive “Everybody Know Me” Jody Breeze’s line “we ain’t leanin’ nor rocking over here/cuz if I get to snappin’ then I’m poppin’ over there” shows a concerted effort of the group to distance themselves from the pop-friendly snap and clap dance move music that the nation expects from Atlanta nowadays. On this track, each member of the group gives a role call for their respective hoods, listing their criminal background and why they’re known in the streets but fail to deliver any memorable quotes; not to mention the beat resembles “Dem Boyz” but without the memorable punchlines you know who provided the first time around. Gorilla’s Zoe’s presence is heavy on the album and demands a lot of attention when he hits the track; especially on “Nothing is Promised” featuring Yung Joc. His line “listen I’m a pitbull dog, I kill up at the knees/I know the streets cold, so I carry antifreeze/to blow your brains out/I try to make your head sneeze/now ya cold, brain freeze/Gorilla Zoe’s a G” steals the show away from the other three member’s sub-par verses. Not to be outshined is young gun, Jody Breeze who does most of the hooks on the album and provides for his own fair share of impressive verses like on “We Ridin,” where he leads off the track. At his better moments on this album, Breeze shows he may have what it takes to be have a successful solo career. Although Gorilla Zoe and Jody Breeze show glimpses of potential; Big Gee and Duke do not which holds the group back.
The highlight of this album is the production of Dee Jay Dana who is quickly becoming the go-to man for Block Entertainment. Beat-wise the album is strong. Dee Jay Dana lays bass-heavy bangers but the group fails to put compelling material over the tracks. Gorilla Zoe has a future in this game. His presence is so overwhelming on certain tracks that once his verse is over, you feel as if you should switch to the next track. As Gorilla Zoe’s flow is aggressive and his unique baritone cuts through tracks, Jody Breeze is the opposite. His flow is slowed down, laid back with less punchlines and more direct. I see the balance between them but Big Gee and Duke really don’t contribute much to this group. Neither is lyrically stunning. Neither has astonishing flow or anything that’s particularly striking about them. The problem is that they’re on every track. With that said, I’d have to say Back Up N Da Chevy is definitely an album that could be passed on unless you’re looking for a beer coaster.
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