Spreading their “Doppel Gospel,” the cloaked duo called The Doppelgangaz (comprised of EP and Matter ov Fact) are two lone sharks on a strict mission: to frequent brothels, indulge in the less-than-desirable women they lovingly call “peaches” who pursue them, and to dive in dumpsters for new hats. Somehow in the midst of all of this, The Doppelgangaz managed to create quite an album, which of course they titled Lone Sharks, giving followers (“sharks” and “sharkettes”) a glimpse into their uniquely nomadic New York lifestyles.
Sounds crazy? Well, it is. Perhaps even crazier than the honestly off-kilter admissions of their vices is the structure of Lone Sharks. Entirely devoid of lyrical features and produced entirely by themselves, Lone Sharks showcases two young emcees who also double as producers and appear to have a bright future ahead of their dark cloaks. Production is laid-back yet sinister, conjuring up memories of the early-to-mid nineties. Flows are abstract and rhyme schemes complex, with both lyricists showing an impressive grasp of vocabulary. A subtle static surrounds most of the tracks, an undoubtedly intentional executive decision, leaving the overall sound unpolished and raw. Trends are shunned by The Doppelgangaz as they seem to follow no rules, carefully walking the thin line between individuality and gimmick, emerging victorious on the side of remaining distinct without setting their own expiration date.
Showing off their production skills as well as their bars (their production credits include a Lil B track), the album flows track-to-track with many instrumental interludes serving as palate cleansers. Coming out on top is the interlude “Lush,” an alcoholic’s anthem based around a vocal sample of a woman claiming she’s always drunk, which leads into the standout track “NY Bushmen.” The two have a habit of rapping about themselves in the third person, and emcee EP exemplifies this as he rhymes, “It’s been a while since he spent a thou on a peach, style’s low brow within reach, to each his own, prone to drop idioms, roam the unknown near stone of obsidian, hold the phone, tell ‘em don’t stop to pity him.” Matter ov Fact also uses the same point of view to talk about himself on “Dumpster Diving” as he spits, “Matter ov Fact a nomad, during the struggle he lost a gonad, catch him with a flask at the venue, with intent to dine and dash asking for the menu.”
Sure, they wear cloaks and pour out a little bit of rubbing alcohol in their videos. Yeah, Matter ov Fact admits to digging “unsightly” women simply because they’re into him. But the two can kick some serious bars over some equally serious beats. Lone Sharks is the type of album capable of propelling their name and lifestyle to a respected level in underground Hip Hop. At first glance the whole concept seems nonsensical, but after a few spins listeners may actually start believing that cloaks are back in style.
Dope article!
Spread that Doppel Gospel. I fux wit these dudes.
Dope ass shit.
Doppel Gospel!!!
GOSPEL
Doppelgang!!!
I used to shark a lot. Now I shark way more.
About time y’all reviewed this. This held it down this summer as the illest release in MY book.
gay as fuck
cool
serious dopeness……classic stuff…90’s throwback
Reminds me of Blu. Dope beat.
Never heard of these cats, just copped the album on Amazon, and I must say I am very impressed. Defintely has that 94-95 New Jersey Drive sound. Beats also remind me of the Sound Providers……picking up the swisher on the way home and zoning out son….I wish I had this during the summer
HARK
Album of the year…..
Excellent Album, calm beats + unique concept = dope
Love these guys!
they can spit
Never expected to hear shit as raw as this. Instacop!
Sick
Raw material forsure
Only 3.5?! Catch a Doppelgang invasion.
I fucks wit them
ITS GOOD TO SEE SO MANY NEW DOPE LYRICISTS COMING OUT THESE DAYS I GUESS WERE ALL GETTING TIRED OF THIS HIP POP BULL SHIT THESE 2 ARE ILL CANT WAIT 2 HERE MORE
Now, this is great, fo’ real! This beat remember’s me the Ol’ Skool’ and their vocals are great dawg, I really appreciate it!
can’t believe Game is rated better than this… how about Game 2.5 and Doppelgangaz 5.0
Straight up…I was put onto these dudes by Apathy. That song and video up above “Suppository” is BY FAR the best track on the album, especially production-wise! That beat is BANANAS and reminds me of the glory days of the 90’s. BUT, when I heard the whole album, it was a little dissapointing; The rest of the beats weren’t that great. After hearing and watching this video initially, I was expecting it to be better.
The whole Lone Shark project had awesome production. Rap $ Unemployment, At Night, DOPPEL GOSPEL! Those tracks were fucking incredible.
There’s no way someone can listen to this album and be dissapointed. You might wanna sit down and it give it a few more listens before you make a comment like that again
Wow…Just Wow.Amazing group with an amazing rap skills
dont get gassed
3.5?!?!?! Are you fucking DEAF? SHIT IS A FOUR…… AT WORST! This album is borderline classic. Best thing that’s happened to hip hop in yeeeeeears.
Hi, Brent!
Thanks for reviewing this album and putting me on to these dudes, hhdx. Really talented group.
I think it’s more like a 4.5 (at least) but fair enough if the reviewer thought otherwise, still a decent review. My fav US hip hop album of the year
been playing this shit for so long ! dope ass group!
Like WC said, pay your dues
this is truly a modern day classic
y’all bugging
lol this video is trippy and wierd .
Really like the production and lyrics. Great sound. Keep working and wish you guys much success going forth. Peace.
tsunami rap! Hark. Get this. Their other shit is a free download. Im hooked!
generation now + crack era rap sound = good shit
OMFG this is dope
ok cd
decent cd
ok cd i like the concept
Nice album reminds me of some 90’s ish… Great word play and dope beats makes this a really good cd… I was impressed by he review on this, they hit the nail on the head.. One of the better releases this yr and also cop 2012 by them, it came out in 09 but it bangs…
This shit came outta nowhere. Like foreal son I just stumbled across dis shit and honestly this is some of da illest shit i done heard in a while son. I need this on wax wordup.
beware for the doppelgang….
not my style
Just got put on. These muhfuckaz bout ta blow up.
Gave it a few spins, not crazy about it like some of the ppl on here claiming ‘album of the year’, but not mad at it either.
3.5/5
shark here, doppelgangaz FTWWWW
Love this album, you guys should check out their previous one too
THE album of 2011
Perfect 5
5/5 all day. Dopple
swag
5/5
SHARK NATION
HARK
SHARKING
BLACK CLOAK EVERYDAY
Very impressive album.
Dopp Gang are the best creating the best Hip Hop I’ve heard in years! Its all most like anti-rap. You wont see any lyrics about being in a club wearing sunglasses. SHARK NATION!
Perfect.
The album is, without a doubt, dope. Matter ov Fact and EP do it their way, and the more people that here these cats, the more that like them. Agree w review description but score should have been nothing less than 4 stars. Check out 2012 and Beats for Brothels and you will not doubt these cats are legit.
The Loan Shark Album is what I listen to when I’m putting a foot to my Skeezer a$$ for not buying me that new Super Dry Vest.
dopest debut album of 2011
4.5/5
Awesome album, Just got put onto these guys, best new group I’ve heard in years
NEW? They’re anything but new! These guys have been kicking for a while.
best album ive heard in a min, the level of originality, rhymes and beats these dude bring to the table is crazy. id recommend this to anybody who likes raw hip hop
shits dope
keep doing you stay original i hope you guys blow up because all these other mc’s are poop poo hip hop needs saving
Raw and ’96 Style! Timeless Bomb!!
Such a badass album! Like that atmosphere and vibes in their music.
5/5