I've been following Hoodie Allen for a few years now, and he never ceases to impress me. Putting his noteworthy past aside (UPenn grad & former Google employee), Hoodie continues to polish his sound with every release. His most recent release, Crew Cuts, exemplifies just how far Hoodie has come since the days of Pep Rally. Though delivering his usual, witty punchlines full of pop culture references, what really stands out in this album is the overall production. Hoodie has truly discovered a smooth style that definitely appeals to rap and pop fans alike; his flow and lyrics impress diehard hip hop fans, yet his sound is digestible enough for the casual listener. It's that crossover appeal, reminiscent of what Macklemore achieved with "Thrift Shop", that elevates Hoodie above many of the rising hip hop stars out there today. Hoodie is becoming one of those artists that you can confidently play no matter the audience that is listening. That's no small feat.
In Crew Cuts particularly, Hoodie enlists the help of an impressive array of talented, budding hip-hop artists. From Chiddy and OCD: Moosh & Twist, two of Philadelphia's best up and coming rap artists, to underground yet extremely talented artists such as Jared Evans and Chance The Rapper, Hoodie's selection of features puts many of the album's tracks on a whole new level. Let me say, it's awesome to see these relatively lesser known artists come together to create such a quality final product.
In an age where I can barely find 3 songs on any given major rap release, the fact that I can press play at the beginning of Crew Cuts and enjoy the entire album without an itch to change the song is a testament to the quality of the product. As a whole, Crew Cuts offers a unified feel that brings a degree of cohesion lacking in many rap albums. With that said, head over to Hoodie's website and download this album. If you need any further reason, it's even FREE!
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