CD Review: Crime Mob "Hated on Mostly”

CD Review: Crime Mob "Hated on Mostly”

oklahoman.com

Hip-hop

Crime Mob "Hated on Mostly” (Reprise)

It's been two years since Crime Mob, five teens from Ellenwood, Ga., entered the rap scene with a self-titled debut and an attention-drawing single, "Knuck If You Buck.” Cyco Black, Diamond, Lil Jay, Princess and MIG introduced fans to inner-city teens' reality and the effectiveness of the Southern hip-hop scene on that disc. They return older and wiser with their second compact disc, "Hated on Mostly.”

Produced by Lil Jay, MIG, Dirty Doc Jam and the Oomp Camp, the 13-track collection projects the grittier overtones of rap as well as a softer side. "Rock Yo Hips,” featuring label mate Lil' Scrappy, is a club-friendly tune featuring a snap-style beat with a booming bass drum and catchy flute riff. The song "Don't Need Ya,” which contains a sample of Bobby Womack's hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now,” pits women against men in a mock lovers' spat.

Crime Mob differs from other crunk-style groups because it managed to keep Lil' Jon off its project and maintain an individualized style. "Hated on Mostly” sounds a bit more polished than its first disc, and time will tell whether Crime Mob will continue its ascent as a progressive rap group.

— Natasha Washington