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Local Hip-Hop squad NSPCREW shows flashes of greatness on new CD Will the Cincinnati Hip-Hop scene ever gain widespread prominence? The parts are there -- a wide variety of different kinds of Hip Hop, a few more venues willing to showcase live acts, numerous Hardcore acts shifting units out of their trunks and an actual "community" of like-minded acts developing out of the Top Cat's/Animal Crackers scene, where artists can "workshop" by participating in the weekly Wednesday night MC battles. There have also been some impressively solid local Hip-Hop CDs released recently. One of the downfalls of technological advances is that it adds a lot more shit to the pile, when any kid with a computer can make his or her own bedroom masterpiece with little cash (or talent). Hip Hop lends itself to the phenomenon -- cut and paste a few beats together, holla over top of 'em and transfer an answering machine message or two to tape, and you've got an album ready to roll. Thankfully, that's not the case with clever local Hip-Hop squad NSPCREW, whose new CD, Too Many SUVs, is a remarkably accomplished effort that could well push the group to the next level. And with the Cincinnati-centric elements on the album, if it explodes, it could help bring the spotlight to other artists in the Cincinnati Hip-Hop scene as well. The core of the group are the MCs -- Krypto, Neybahood and Mista -- who each have incredibly distinct styles, giving the album a depth many Hip-Hop albums lack. Besides their crafty flows, the group has a charismatic lyrical prowess that masterfully balances humor and social observation. There's real poetry beyond rhyme skills within skewering lines like "How many times are they gonna find no gun?/How many times are they gonna lie and get none?/As many times as a mother cries for her son" on "Neybahood Watch (Follow Cops and Watch)." The group's takes on post-riot Cincinnati are the best artistic statements related to the city's unrest yet. On the same track, they expound: "Cincinnati streets that I live in/So fuck Keith Fangman/No police enforced the curfew out in Mount Adams." But as much as NSPCREW are socially hyper-aware of their surroundings, they are also prone to hilarious outbursts about things like deviant sex play ("Gross Song") and more stoic musings like on "Mandatory Legalization & Prescriptions," one of many references to weed politics and virtues on the album. On one of the many album highlights, "Down to The," the group also shows its gift for a great hook -- the repeated "Break it down to the ounce to the half to the quarter to eighth 38, don't be fuckin' up my order" is subversively catchy enough to be booming from radio stations around the world. The MC skills alone wouldn't be enough to make this an instant local classic, but the deft production and track sculpting push it in that direction. The thick, wild beats and unexpected musical interpolation -- from the slanted old-school vibe of "School" to the scratched-up acoustic guitar of album opener "One Thirty" to the trippy, muscular grind of "Down to The" -- are what makes NSPCREW exceptional. There's a funny moment at one point on Too Many SUVs, when a highlight from a Cincinnati Bengals football game is sampled: Takeo Spikes running an interception back for a touchdown. It's funny because (1) How long did it take to find a Bengals highlight?, and (2) Spikes is now a Buffalo Bill (ah, free agency). Still, the underdog scoring big could soon be pertinent to NSPCREW's situation. Too Many SUVs has widespread appeal, and the underground might not be big enough to contain a talent like this. -Mike Breen  Best Opening Act: The local Hip-Hop group NSPCREW’s exhilarating opening set for MC Paul Barman March 1 at Top Cat’s was buck wild. Featuring three MCs and DJ Bobby Peru (aka Bob Gayol of Moth), the group tore through a dynamic, energetic set featuring songs from their superb new album, Too Many SUVS, as well as their Neil Young-sample-based “More Dead in Ohio” single, the best artistic commentary on local police brutality and the ensuing “riots.” Just click on the "Audio/Video" link!! Pre-order "TOO MANY SUVz" now for only $8.99!!!! Spread your thoughts.... On Wednesday, September 25th 2002, at exactly 12:00am, NSPCrew.com (the official website of NSPCREW) was successfully launched! Big thanks to Bobby Peru, the dopest musician,DJ/producer,beatmaster,videographer/director,and web-designer in the Nat-tat-tat!! He is the official "circuit bender" of NSPCREW. | Return Home | NSPCREW Shop | Buy the NEW CD | News | Bios | Shows | Audio Video | Photo Gallery | Lyrics | Forum | Contact NSPCREW | Links | |
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