SubHoodzThe Subhoodz, originally called Suburban Hoodz until 2004, are a hip-hop group based out of Philly's surrounding burbs. The group was spawned from the group's founders, Stress and Havok, who used their income checks to get some equipment to start a group in 1991. Not long after the inception, Stress met Stiff Lou at Community College, which solidified the original lineup. The three man group recorded two records, "Tales From The Liteside" (92) and "Guns, Knifes and Lies" (94). After playing out the group felt it was time to get a backing band to enhance their sound live. They added a guitarist, bassist, and drummer. They hit the studio in 96 and recorded "This Boy's Life" (96) and then "Genuine B-Boyz" (99) both of which were released on their own label 215 Records.
In 2002 the group took some time off due to their difficulty finding a new drummer. This led to the creation of Krush Unit Inc, Stress and Havok's hip-hop label, which has worked with fine artist such as Side Effect, Reef The Lost Cauze, M-Ski, Adam 12, Poynt Blanc, The Masters, The Have Nots and more.
Flash forward to late 2005, the group enlisted the services of Mike Mig on guitar (plays with metal band Nailed Right In and used to play for the Philly hardcore band Punishment), Fisher on bass, and Luke on the drums. The group got together and laid down some tracks in Stress's studio, the Chop Shop which they handed out and ultimately led to the group signing with Creep Records.
This is a 17-track album that compiles the groups two previous albums; "This Boy's Life" and Genuine B-Boyz", as well as a new version of the song "Back In The Day" feat. Danny Diablo (aka Lord Ezec who was the frontman for Crown of Thornz and Skarhead) which had originally appeared on "Genuine B-Boyz", the original version is also on this album. There is also a new version of "Concepts" (Genuine B-Boyz, original is also on this album) which has the band playing behind the emcee's whereas the original version has Stress doing the beats. The song "The Next" was recorded at Kingston Sound in Levittown, PA in 2000. There is a new version of the band's classic jam "Hand Grenade" that was recorded in 2006 at the Chop Shop. Definitely feeling the new version more. Most of the songs are backed by the band except for: The Next, Back To Basics, Back In The Day. The songs backed by the band have samples and scratches that were tastefully placed by Stress.
Of the three emcees, I enjoyed Havok the most, he's on point with his rhymes and lyrics. Stiff Lou has a nice flow and good word play. Stress is a good lyricist and an amazing beat master but boy does he remind me an awful lot of Fred Durst.
Simple layout. The front cover is a picture of a night stand with the essentials: the chain everyone used to rock when they were young boys, me included, some brass knuckles, keys, wallet, cellie, and the crucial chloraseptic. The font used for the album title and track listing on the back is the same that was used for the Status Flo mixtapes put out by Krush Unit Inc. The inside of the booklet is nice for hip hop standards, it's got the thank you's from the whole group with the SubHoodz logos and sponsors. The back of the booklet has * next to each track to mark which previous release they were taken from, along with a picture of the group beneath.
Rating: 4.5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Back In The Day feat. Danny Diablo (The hook with DD is hype as hell, the backing music is heavy as shit too), Hand Grenade, and B.B Gun (loved the hook from A Christmas Story and the bass intro was awesome, sounded like something lifted from a Japanese hardcore band)
Synopsis: As the Stress states, "Hip-Hop for the Hardcore at Heart!". This is a good crash course introduction to a longstanding group that deserve all the attention they get. If you like hip hop, you'd like this, if you like hardcore and hip hop, you'll love this. And don't label this as just some rap rock bullshit because it's not. This shit drops April 17th so pick it up and be on the lookout because the group is hard at work for a fresh new album.