OutDaFace Productions, a new group out of Ridgewood, Queens, put forth a strong first effort on their self-titled debut compilation album. The group, who also host a live-radio show at U.Va., consists of four rappers (Excel, MC Ria, Trix and Jay Nix) and singer Jolene, as well as the group's producer, Fuzz. Incidentally, all the members of the group except the singer are white. With the success of underground rappers like El-P and Company Flow, however, along with more commercial artists like Eminem and Bubba Sparxxx, the notion that white men can't rap seems to have become an idea of the past.
The album starts off with the appropriately named "Jump Off," and like the identically named hits by Wu-Tang and Lil' Kim, the song is a great club banger. The sinister-sounding beat contrasts with humorous boasting and pop-culture references, with the rappers promising to beat whack MC's "with their [own] asthma pumps."
The song is followed by the dark, aggressive "Wone Stop," which is built upon a thumping, engrossing beat that showcases Excel's darker rhymes. Fuzz's production is on point throughout the album, and his penchant for piano and guitar riffs helps give the album a cohesive feel.
The album's lone misfire is "Scream," the requisite booty track. Featuring tired rhymes about sex and lackluster lyrics by singer Jolene ("If you want it come and get it/ I'll let you hit it"), the song seems out of place among the album's other cuts, which include the reflective "Reality" and the melancholy "Bottom Line." This is not to say that the album is completely dark and serious, as the group certainly isn't afraid to punctuate their songs with witty one-liners.
Humorous wisecracks are the hallmark of the album's standout track, "Roll Call," which finds Excel and Jaynix trading rhymes on a ridiculously catchy beat. Anyone doubting whether these white boys can flow simply needs to listen to these MC's impressively ride the unique start-and-stop track.
Featuring only nine tracks (excluding the obligatory intro and outro), and with most songs coming in under three minutes, the OutDaFace album might seem a bit short, but given the relatively bloated lengths of other indie rap releases, a filler-free album like this is certainly welcome. OutDaFace Productions has proven that all it takes to make a good album is solid rhymes and hot beats.
Read More
Four lessons from my grammas to help you lead the good life
By Grace Scott | YesterdayFollow these four lessons from my grammas to make your life — at college and beyond — as deeply gratifying as theirs have been.
Top 10 ways to do Halloween right
By Sam Saks | YesterdayHere are some of the best ways you can honor ghosts, ghouls and goblins alike and enjoy this Halloween.
Third Year Ceremony honors halfway point for Class of 2026
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoBeyond presenting students with their class rings, the Third Year Ceremony brought together students and families in joyous celebration.
