Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 04/13/2004
Although released by
Warp's cerebral
hip-hop imprint
Lex Records (
Boom Bip,
Tes),
DM & Jemini's
Ghetto Pop Life has more in common with the cartoonish bump of California's lionized
old school than with any current indie
hip-hop aesthetic.
Danger Mouse's loopy, jazzy production style and
Jemini's excitable, careening vocals (think
Slim Kid 3) conjure immediate comparisons to mid-'90s backpacker touchstones
Souls of Mischief and
Pharcyde, the latter of whom actually guest on the gothic maypole flutter of
"Medieval." While unavoidable, these striking similarities don't detract from the album, probably because
DM & Jemini are too busy having fun to sermonize, wag fingers, or pine for days long passed. Standouts include the widescreen first single
"Ghetto Pop Life," the velvety glimmer of
"Yoo Hoo!," and the
Just Blaze-inspired helium
soul of the club-ready
"The Only One." Things flag a bit as the album winds down -- the wincingly clichéd political
rap of
"Bush Boys" feels strained and out of place -- but for the most part, it brims with hooks, bump, and energy. Evocative without being pointlessly nostalgic and fun without being goofy,
Ghetto Pop Life is a convincingly strong debut.
~Mark Pytlik, All Music Guide
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