Overlooked: The Doppelgangaz’ “HARK” (Album Review) Posted by Dharmic X on 03/18/13 | Filed under Opinion, Album Reviews, Overlooked, The Doppelgangaz

There is a thin line between a gimmick and a captivating personality, and hip-hop has a polarizing love or hate relationship with the whole thing. The Wu-Tang Clan are adored by millions of people worldwide for not just their music, but what they represented: their Shaolin-influence, low-fi sound, and tie-dye amalgam of colorful personalities created a cult fanbase that currently craves for a new album to mark their twenty-year anniversary. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s Trinidad James has received endless amount of flak for what is considered a one-dimensional approach to stardom, using gold flamboyance to attract attention.

The Doppelgangaz are on the cusp of that endless debate. For many who have seen them in person (including myself, initially), only one word comes to mind: oddball. The New York duo, consisting of childhood friends EP and Matter Ov Fact, are known to hump naked mannequins on stage. In addition to producing most of their own material and tracks for the Brown Bag Allstars, EP has contributed production for Lil B. The two are not known for taking themselves seriously.

Ignoring the eccentric personalities, the bizarre stage antics, and the long-flowing black cloaks, the Doppelgangaz make some dope ass music, simple and plain. They have accumulated a sizeable cult following of their own, particularly in Europe, which has been done entirely on an independent level. And last week, the duo released their latest project, "HARK!", attracting significant levels of attention across the internet.

The Doppelgangaz are quick to take the listener into their grungy world with the album’s opening cut, “Skin Yarmulke.” It all begins with the distinct crackling and muted coughing in the background that occurs throughout the track. Meanwhile, Matter Ov Fact begins his verse by talking about how he tries to get EP (who is white) “to drop some N bombs.” What follows is two rappers painting portraits of debauchery. EP matches his partner with lines like “Cause Santa gave him coal in a satchel, tryna’ hit the goal before a hole’s in his natural.”



While many can introduce fans into a lifestyle, what makes "HARK!" notable is the fact that the duo draws the audience deeper into this alternate universe as the project progresses. Songs like “Oh Well” and “Smang Life” keep the album as freakishly gritty and off-the-wall as “Skin Yarmulke” and “Hark Back” do in the beginning. There are no features on the album; after all, who would fit into their vision? Meanwhile, the songs flow well into each other, with the album broken up with quick one minute instrumentals throughout to keep things flowing.



For fans of The Doppelgangaz throwback sound, scumbag lifestyle, and gritty sensibility, HARK! is another feather in the cap for the duo. For those who have missed this bandwagon at the beginning of their career, now might be the time to give them a listen and become enthralled in a world that is likely too sickly to be desirable to live in but infinitely enjoyable to listen to.

Stream "HARK" via the mothership.

See Also:  Overlooked: The Demigodz’ “KILLmatic” (Album Review)