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Kidz In The Hall - The In CrowdAlbum Review by:
Mike Ivey Jr.
Monday, May 19, 2008
 Preview/Download MP3 Naledge jumps off ‘The In Crowd’ strong in “Black Out,” switching up the flow pace skillfully. Still, with recycled lines like “nice round mics like I was Scott Pippen,” it’s hard to give him props. Naledge’s best work comes on “The Pledge” alongside what emerge as the album’s best two verses by Duck Down stars Buckshot and Sean Price; it’s difficult for the young rapper Naledge to rise to the “top of the pops” when “Jesus Price” riddles off random illness like “I smoke a nick of weed, sold a nick of crack/ now I watch the Knicks listening to Nickelback/ I don’t like football, what’s a nickel back?/ take this bottle to the store, get a nickel back.”
The only tracks on which Naledge doesn’t get out-rapped fall flat due to sub-par guest spots i.e. the boring “Snob Hop” w/Camp Lo and uninspired “Middle Of The Map” parts 1 and 2 w/Fooch, Black Milk and Guilty Simpson. Naledge, though satisfactory in the verses of these songs, just doesn’t bring enough vigor in the choruses. Outside of Double O’s prominent horns, keys and nicely chopped drums, the influence of fellow Chi-Town emcees Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West shine on ‘The In Crowd’ more than Naledge’s skills. Even the reflective tones of “Inner Me,” boosted by Double O’s budding production skills, barrows it’s title from an old Lupe line. Other more blatant thefts include a Tupac/jeans lyric Lupe spits on “Pressure” (‘…Food & Liquor,’ 2006). And mentions of flying from Paris to Tokyo (“Paper Trail”) are just too close to the original cool nerd’s hit single for comfort.
“Driven Down The Block (Remix),” featuring Cool Kids, Bun B and Pusher T, is no extravagant improvement on the original single. However, the title track, “The In Crowd,” has the KIH stamp; this high energy joint has an 80’s glam feel with it’s fast pace percussion and subtle keyboard pattern. Kidz In The Hall selects a choice group of emcees for its’ sophomore LP and Duck Down debut ‘The In Crowd.’ Phonte of Little Brother delivers a tight verse in the smooth sounding “Paper Trail;” Skyzoo articulates passion for the atypical ladies over producer Double O’s soulful standout “Let Your Hair Down.” But it’s evident that KIH’s emcee Naledge has work to do before the duo can stand among the new school’s best.
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