Despite what any anti-Hip Hop pundit says, very few emcees dedicate whole projects to complete debauchery. That’s not so much attributable to Hip Hop being inherently positive (it’s not) as is due to the high degree of difficulty involved in devoting a whole album to such subject matter. Tha Alkaholiks and The Beatnuts—two groups that ultimately wound up collaborating—immediately come to mind. But generally, even the likes of 2 Chainz and Waka Flocka Flame are able throw in the obligatory track about God, their fans or even some early hardships. Orange, New York duo Dopplegaggaz aren’t interested in rhyming about any of the above. And that stance makes for a surprisingly good album with Hark.
Group members, Matter Ov Fact and EP have built a loyal overseas following by mixing innovative, off kilter production with irreverent, sometimes hilarious rhymes. They’ve tweaked the formula since 2008’s The Ghastly Duo and even last year’s 2012: The New Beginning. On Hark, they’ve constructed a universe filled with what we can only hope are grimy, fictional characters battling an assortment of random maladies. The slight departure away from boastful, first person rhymes is a bit subtle for fans of Dopp Gang’s previous releases, and new listeners probably won’t notice it at all. But the consistent references to bursitis, crabs and genital warts can sometimes get repetitive and give the feeling of reading a pamphlet inside the grossest free clinic known to man.
Admittedly, all of this borders on nitpicking. The Doppelgangaz still display both great chemistry and the type of rhyme schemes to compliment their shared production duties. They’re very much in the moment with nods to Femdom pornography, chatroulette and Yung Humma and Flynt Flossy; the latter of which are referenced on “Smang Life.” And their willingness to go against the grain gives them a unique feel of bygone Rap duos like the UMCs or even Compton’s Righteous—if you really want to go into obscure ‘90s territory. Why say you want your audio monitoring levels on the high end or “in the red” when it’s more fun to make a menstrual reference and say, “Keep the levels on the rag?”
With bars like, “He got cirrhosis of the liver from the 80 proof / Folliculitis make his neck look like a Baby Ruth / The truth / He needs a filling for his baby tooth / This IBS be disagreeing with Kuwaiti soup,” on “Us 2 Da Man,” Hark isn’t for going to be for everyone. Longtime fans probably won’t mind the stylistic detour this project takes, and either way, artists shouldn’t be overly penalized for experimentation. The subject matter limits the replay value, but in a market that’s currently oversaturated with struggle rappers, bitter vets past their prime and upstarts that seem to be missing chromosomes, The Doppelgangaz offer both creativity and a guilty pleasure within a 38-minute project.
5/5 watch the elbow
/5/5
Doppelgangaz have been putting out some of the most consistently dope hip hop since their first e.p. and Hark definitely does not disappoint. All of the songs really go together and it feels like a very cohesive piece of work.
You find the subject matters unoriginal? Go listen to any weed-rappers and you’ll know what it means to be a carbon-copy MC. I cannot deny that Doppelgangaz are the most original MCs that came out in a recent years within a culture of homogeneity.
The Dopp are fucking dope. 5/5 for this album. It was surprised at how great it was.
5/5
Needs a lil’ work.
listened to the stream of this last week. dope!
Been rockin’ with their music for a minute now, gets better every time!!
LP is mad dope, love the beats and especially the Tone Loc cough on “Skin Yarmukl”…pretty sure they are just joking around with the lyrics and just being sick in an ill way.
This will be my album of the year UNLESS the dopp duo somehow pump out another album, no question
It’s not better than the “Lone Shark”, but it’s still pretty dope. When most of those fake rapper been droppin’ weak shit for years, Dopppelgangaz shows hip-hop is not dead at all.. their beats are still being made with the passion.
Dope shit
keep up the good work dopp
Pure Dope! 5/5
Doppelgang all day! no doubt this ish be phat as hell!
How did they doppel dare make such a perfect album 4 me?
How did they doppel dare make such a perfect album 4 me 5 ? Can’t wait 4 the next 1 gangaz !
SN.
Really? 3/5? I swear, thats why DX stay losing. This album deserves at least a 4/5. Go back to writing about Capadonna’s album. This type of music needs some more experienced ears. I just heard this album from front to back and it’s nothing short of great. Beats, flow, subject matter. All deserves a thumbs up. I’m tired of weed rap. Time for something different.
Well, “Hark” is a perfect title for this kind of hip hop, because it means to listen very attentively. Which means you’re closely listening to every word that is said. Makes sense for this type of hip hop.
Hark sounds real nice kehd.
The Ghastly Duo!
Living that smang life.
Im tired of every reviewer just passing them off as a NY hip hop group thats stuck in the 90’s. This group is the real deal, better than any of the beast coast guys that all these blogs praise.
Dope album.
dope shit!!!
That “Hark Back” shit, the drums on that beat makes the song unlistenable. I thought those constant drums were gonna be just in the chorus section or something but then they kept going. That was kinda wack they shoulda cut em out for the verses.
Well why don’t you make an album and show the people how it’s done. Since your the big music producer of the room with ALL the hit records. I’m just saying son. There are tons of records where the drums remain constant. Before you give technical advice show examples.
CaptainSpauldingNephew, your reply was fucking retarded. I don’t agree with dude but it’s just his opinion. Jesus.
WHERE IS THE DEMIGODZ REVIEW?!
trash
Your mother is trash. This album is gold.
fire
Never heard of em before but pretty good, copped a few tracks off itunes.
Germany stand up
The Doppelgangaz are the best duo since The Beatnuts. i love these motherfuckers. their music is pure uncut dope. the album HARK! is the shit.
Str8 fire
artwork is amazing…can’t wait to listen to it…
Straight gold.
fire and a half
first I have heard of them and loving this album. really dope maybe my favorite album of 2013 so far. Only thing is it is kind of short with the skits etc..
HARK BACK AT YOUR SHARK, BLACK
THESE GUYS ARE AMATURES
these guys are super dope and super underrated. good beats good rhymes good music. very simple formula. wish they got more attention. they put out work and always keep it solid. keep it up guys. appreciate the tunes. appreciate the hustle. really like the beats they spit on. floaty boom bap with a soul.
BORING AS FUCK
backpackers get a clue…. you’re irrelevant to anyone but conceited lyrical dudes who have no money or vagina
this was pretty dope and specially after what they’ve done in the past its good to know they aint fallin off