Regal (label)
11 February 2010 (released)
11 February 2010
Heralding from the rap-happy US city of Philadelphia, Chiddy Bang burst onto the scene, loaded and sights set on a quick ascent up the gold plated hip hop ladder. The duo, comprised of Chiddy (emcee) and Xaphoon Jones (DJ/Producer) have released a 3 song EP, promising smart rhymes, punchy tunes and enough variety to spawn a diverse album.
New single Opposite of Adults, takes the ever popular MGMT track ‘Kids’, firing a hip hop angle into proceedings, practically tying a massive gold chain around it’s young neck. As the indie beat pumps, Chiddy waxes lyrical about teenage years and his rise to ‘fame’. In sound he reminds of Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, but in content and attitude he aspires to Jay Z. The rapper holds a similar slick bravado as the Rock-a-Fella Records legend; one that is both interesting and difficult to dislike.
The 3 course meal of an EP deals its ace in the hole early with the first dish, as the main and dessert sprinkle variety into Chiddy Bang’s repertoire. Second song, Chiddy Freestyle, is a self promoting rap fest, packed tightly with ‘fighting talk’. Even having the cahones to compare himself to an ‘inferior’ President Obama, “Now Barack I love ya, but you in a lower weight class, I’m above ya”.
Whereas Sooner Or Later shoots molecules of fellow east coast rapper Eve towards 90s Tupac/Dr Dre beats in a Hip Hop Hadron Collider. The backing track is catchy, bouncing with familiarity - it’s just a shame Chiddy doesn’t really make the track his own with fairly predictable lyrics.
Make no mistake though, Chiddy Bang are no stereotypical act. At the best of times they combine elements of indie and electronica to breathe fresh air into the genre, as Opposite of Adults brilliantly shows.
