Kidz In The Hall Return with "Dear Eastside" Video
"penny for my thoughts, it might get expensive."
Anyone who followed rubyhornet back in day knows the crucial role that Naledge and Kidz In The Hall played in contributing to the site. He took part in so many of our early parties at Lava Lounge, starred in several video series, and held down many a Closed Sessions recordings.
I grew up playing baseball with Naledge (shout out WHPK Little League), and when he formed Kidz In The Hall and then signed to Rawkus Records, he instantly became a neighborhood legend. The duo behind classics like "Drivin' Down The Block" and "Chi State of Mind" also played a very important role in the growth of the Chicago Hip Hop scene. While Kanye, Common, Twista, and Lupe were grabbing headlines and making a killing, it was a grassroots affair for KITH and peers like The Cool Kids, and Treated Crew, who not only regularly supplied blogs like this one and Fakeshoredrive with exclusives that we could then share with the larger blog community, but they also regularly attended our functions and helped spot other emerging talents.
No joke, it was through Naledge that I first met Vic Mensa, Big Homie DOE (who now manages King L), Chip Tha Ripper, Vic Spencer, and Nez & Rio, who also all claimed membership in Naledge's Brainiac Society at one time or another. It was also through Naledge and working on the ZShare era classic Welcome To Brainiac Society Part 1 that I met Michael Kolar, started getting those free hours at SoundScape, and well, the rest is history.
Kidz In The Hall kind of came out in a weird era. The old label model and physical distribution strategy was still on its last legs, while the blog/digital era was still finding its own two feet to stand on. Spotify, TIDAL, and Apple Music were a long way off. So while they got a shit ton of streams via sendspace, zshare, megaupload and all that, there really was no way to properly gauge the impact or count everything up. I mean, this is a group that was around early enough to actually have a TRL video alongside the likes of Britney Spears and see the first posts on Nahright and 2Dopeboyz.
The duo had solid success, releasing several studio albums and LP's before taking a break in or around 2012, just when the Chicago scene was bearing serious fruit. But, much like their peers in The Cool Kids, Kidz In The Hall are back with a new LP, Free Nights and Weekends, which will hit the streets on December 8th.
Judging by the album's first video, "Dear Eastside", it just might be some of their best material yet. The song is vintage KITH, with kind of a back to basics vibe and style. It's what the diehard-est of the diehard fans want from Naledge and Double O without coming off as stale or chasing a style they once had. The video harkens back to Golden Era clips, and maybe it's because we watched a De La Soul documentary today in my Business of Music class, but damn this reminds me of some "Stakes Is High" type shit.
Peep the video above, and you can pre-order the full album here. The song is available for free when you sign-up for the KITH mailing list.
Naledge: "Hole in My Soul" (Ft. Sulaiman)
Naledge is currently in the lab cooking up his latest release, Brain Power 2. As a sort of teaser to the upcoming project, he released this loosie track with fellow Chicago MC Sulaiman for this DJ Sean Mac-produced hors d'oeuvre. Naledge has been around the Chicago scene for a minute, since entering with Kidz In The Hall, as has Sulaiman and the duo make sure to remind everyone that the kids aren't the only ones making noise in the Windy City.
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Photos: Kidz In The Hall 4.20 In NYC
Naledge spent 4.20 at NYC's Irving Plaza opening up for Snoop Dogg. That's pretty much all I know, as he sent me these pics with no explanation beyond the subject line. The pics are dope as well and include Donnis and Peter Rosenberg. See them below.
Kidz In The Hall: "Love Hangover" Dark Pop Remix
Here's a new remix of "Love Hangover" given the Estelle assited jam a "Dark Pop" shine. Double O on the new beat, Naledge still on the mic. Download it below...Also check out Naledge live tonight at The Lyricist Fix at Soiree, and join us for The Chicago Picasso Celebration party next week Weds @ The Leg Room.
First Look: Fooch
Brainiac Society member Fooch AKA Nick Stylz was recently introduced to the world at large via Kidz In The Hall's sophomore LP, The In Crowd. Fooch has since seen his spotlight grow, gaining placements and shouts on various blogs, and music sites. My fellow Hyde Park resident, and Ray Elementary Alum (Go Warriors!) recently hit RH with his latest joint, "Questions" (listen below), as well as a bit more insight into the man "with shine on track 9."
The Basics: Without getting into the whole life story thing, I'm just a kid that grew up on the south side streets of the CHI. I was raised by my hood, a church going grandma and the True elements of Hip-Hop. The product is the man that your speaking with today...
Hailing From: Hyde Park, South Side of Chicago
Rapping since: I been rapping since like 1994. I was about eleven or twelve when I started. Me and my guy DJ Chase use to have these notebook rap battles in advanced math sophomore year in high school. S**t was hilarious!
Influences: Man where do I start? ATCQ, De La soul, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, AZ, Nas, BIG, Pac, J- Dilla, Slum Village, Little Brother just to name a few. I listen to some of everything though so the list goes on and on.
Three Things To Know About Fooch: I'm one of the coolest most laid back dudes you'll ever meet. I love myself, my people, and my city. I love Hip- Hop and making good music.
Fooch Vs. Nick Stylz: Fooch and Nick Stylz are one in the same, but Fooch is the epitome of what it means to be a b-boy. Where as Nick Stylz is the more street savvy, fresh to death, slick talker. Foochie is what I initially went by, but Naledge cut the 'ie' off when we formed our crew FFC ( Fresh from Chicago). NIck Stylz is a name I jacked off of a Denzel Washington movie Ricochet. I loved the movie and I thought the name was dope. Plus it gave a little added swagger to my mic persona, but please believe I Don't Lie On Records.
Braniac Society: Basically, Brainiac Society is an exclusive upscale lifestyle brand & members-only leisure club, created solely for the international 'in crowd' of tastemakers, jet setters and industry elite.
Seeing Music in-stores and Online: Truthfully it's like a sigh of relief, like damn I finally get a chance to be heard. Also to be on a track with my boy Naledge, Black Milk and Guilty Simpson as my intro to the world on a national release was pretty crazy!
The Future of Fooch: Be checking for that Braniac Society mixtape. Also, I might be trying to put out an EP entitled Double Edge Sword. I also will be appearing with Naladge at the Chicago date for the Rock the Bells concert on July 19th, so keep your eyes and ears open!