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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[Mixtape] Highlife: "Highlife"
Illustration by: Hebru Brantley
Highlife has been bubbling in Chicago's local scene these past few weeks with cool single and video releases. Now, the Treated Crew member is back with his self-entitled debut mixtape . The project includes 17 new cuts cuts with features and production by the likes of Treated Crew, THEMpeople, SaveMoney, Vic Spencer, Naledge, BJ The Chicago Kid, Melo X and more! Peep below.
Mixed by: L Boogie for THEMpeople
Naledge: "Death By Day Job"
We all face those days that have us wondering if we're on the right path or doing what's best for us. For his latest single, Naledge decided to transcribe those same emotions and relates them to his recent struggles in "Death By Day Job". The J Doe-produced track is a raw reminder that life has it up-and-downs, but Naledge keeps his head up in the outro and lets us know there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Not sure where this track might end up on, but you can download his newest 'tape Brain Power, here.
[Mixtape] Naledge: Brain Power
Naledge's Brain Power 'tape has been on the radar of many and yesterday fans finally got to hear it in its entirety after various promising singles. 19 tracks filled with smooth instrumentals witty rhymes and features by the likes of Add-2, Mikkey Halsted, Vic Spencer, Willie the Kid and Saba.
[EP] Naledge & IKAZ: "Au Pain Dore"
This IKAZ collaborations with Chicago artists don't stop pouring in, we ain't complaining though. This time around it's Naledge who recorded over six new instrumentals by the French producer and, let me tell you, this is a pretty special project. Enjoy the 'tape below and lets hope these two work together more often in the near future!
Naledge: "Love Not Personal" (feat. Saba and Vic Spencer)
The latest song from Naledge, "Love Not Personal," just dropped. Featuring Saba and Vic Spencer, a smooth saxophone carries the beat across each rappers' verses as they rap about not trusting the ladies. The hook preaches some knowledge: "Don't trust these pros, they just gonna go and take off their clothes/Their loving ain't personal. They blow you kisses, then they go out to clubs with your bros/Their loving ain't personal."
Check out the song below.
[via IMFMag]
CS x LRG: "Turn It Up" feat. Outasight & Naledge (prod. DJ Babu)
Closed Sessions has teamed up with international clothing brand LRG for a new edition of the Closed Sessions series. The new sessions feature artists that match the aesthetics and style of both brands, while adding something original and authentic to music and culture. The first such sessions went down in Chicago with Warner Bros. recording artist, Outasight.
In between video shoots and finishing his debut album, Outasight came to the windy city for the Closed Sessions experience. Documented by RubyHornet.com, Outasight's trip included a photoshoot with Virgil Solis, a visit to WHPK's CTA Radio, a performance @SuperfunParty, and a Closed Session with Naledge of Kidz In The Hall at SoundScape Studio. Hit the jump to see the documentary, and visit the new Closed Sessions x LRG site for the behind the scenes pics and to download the song.