KMD: Mr. Hood

For The Fan Presents:

K.M.D “Mr. Hood” (1991) Review

Artist: K.M.D.

Album: “Mr. Hood”

Released: 1991

Genre: Hip Hop/ Rap

In the early 1990s, my parents wouldn’t let me listen to rap music. They assumed that all rap was about sex, violence, and gangland shootings. Now that I’m an adult, I realize that they weren’t very bright as to what was being released in the world of hip hop at all. K.M.D. released “Mr. Hood” in 1991 and it features some of the best, simple rhymes with samples from classic literature, video and sound bites from language audio tapes. It is not a religious record or anything like that, but it’s far from the gangster rap music that was getting a lot of attention at the time. The group showcases what true hip hop can sound like, without having to rely on violence or even sex.

The cool thing about this record is the sampling and responses that you get from the rappers and the language tapes. The biggest single is the track “Who me?”, and the sample starts with a “Little Sambo” sampling that Zev Love X talks in response to as the tape gets repeated at times. It’s funny to hear the responses as if there were a real person there, and you’ll have to listen to the track to understand what I mean here.

Another stand out track is “Mr. Hood Meets Onyx” in which Onyx The Birthstone Kid responds to samples from a language tape amidst looping samples from break beats, jazz, and piano. It’s a classic example of creativity and something that you have to hear and laugh at. It’s basic, but it’s so creative that I can’t really compare it to anything else.

When this record came out it didn’t exactly sell huge numbers and the group would eventually get paid to leave Elektra records. They put out a record two years later called “Black Bastards” where they turned militant in their Black Power ideologies, and Elektra was none too happy about the tone of the recording. They got dropped, and that record went on to get rave reviews.

Rave reviews don’t matter much though, as most people don’t remember that record, as much as they remember “Mr. Hood” which is a fine tuned production of hip hop glory. You’ll find that the tracks all seem to flow together and will fit into your collection right next to your Tribe Called Quest vinyl records.

You’ll find that it’s hard to hate on anything put out through this recording. I find myself putting it on towards the end of my writing day, after throwing down 10,000 records, a good laugh with the “Mr. Hood” character is what the doctor ordered. If you haven’t picked this one up, then it’s time to go back and get it, download, or find it as a coaster in your brother’s room.

Pros: Clean vocals, funny production value, catchy rhymes, great sampling

Cons: I don’t know any, it’s classic

Rating: 5/5

Links

Mp3 Download: http://amzn.to/1fVDgHu

Compact Disc: http://amzn.to/1nrmt1K

Vinyl Record: http://amzn.to/1eM5PKZ