Kottonmouth Kings - Kottonmouth Kings Review
Posted by John Malady on 07.06.2005
Kottonmouth Kings return and it is time to get with The King Klick
Malady is back at ya with another review for your whole family to enjoy and use for cultural progression within the counter culture. This service is provided for free so there is no excuse for your mother to not get high and dance naked with freedom written on her forehead. You didn’t even know your mom was that hot huh? Turns out she is and hip to but your dad not only holds her back but he is a 5 minute man. TSK…TSK..Stay tuned for advice on helping your parents live again! Onward soldiers to the topic we all love and live…music!
I recently had the pleasure of conducting an interview with The Kottonmouth Kings Daddy X who also owns and runs Suburban Noize records. He gave me the low down on what The Kottonmouth Kings are all about and why what they represent in the music industry is much more than what they transmit in their music but a philosophy in its own right. This philosophy not only encompasses The Kottonmouth King’s ethic as successful self made recording artists but is something that Brad “Daddy” X let me know is an important aspect of the way he conducts his overall life and record label. Kottonmouth Kings are 10 years in the game and doing it their own way. Selling over a million records without major label promotion is an impressive stat all to itself. Don’t forget that they also have sold a million plus tickets to shows as well in over 1500 live performances. Daddy X was the real deal and proved to me that he was much more than an MC in a great band. Check the interview out for yourself here tomorrow.
The new Kottonmouth Kings album, which is self-titled, and their 7th full studio record is my first. A lot of people I have talked to were pretty surprised I didn’t know much about them since they have been in the game 10 plus years. My answer to that is, “Hey, sometimes you miss a few but not only did I get to bump a stellar new release by The Kottonmouth Kings for my de-virginization but I also got to rap with KMK’s guru Daddy X”. I do not think that is a bad way to be turned on to The Kottonmouth Kings, do you?
When you put in The Kottonmouth Kings new album right from the start it grabs you with track#1, King Klick, and from then on it doesn’t let up. This album takes you on a journey and rarely gets dull while you’re traveling the road it paves. After The King Klick grabs you they throw down some power hip-hop that makes you want to dance, fuck, fight, and get loaded. Such is the power of The Kottonmouth Kings music.
At song number 8 (titled F.T.I.2) featuring Tech N9ne they get up in the music industries ass full on with a venomous spit at the current jaded state of big record companies with their big B.S. and hollow goals. Right after F.T.I.2 KK’s take you to where they want to go and they don’t need to tell you anymore about what they think of the industry because they show you they are much more than just another hip-hop band. Musically the album after song 8 goes all over the musical map but never loses the vibe it is in making it all sound natural rather than forced.
Song #9, Revolution, is the first taste of punk rock on the album and is followed by “Let the Sunshine” a feel good track that helps balance the intensity of the 2 previous tracks. KMK’s collaborate with friends Cyprus Hill on track #12, titled “Put it Down”. This record not only keeps you intrigued as a listener but it doesn’t wear out its welcome as the overall run time clocks in at 1hr and 15 minutes but when you are vibing with it you wouldn’t think the album is over 40 min.
What I learned by getting turned on to KMK’s with this record is that the KMK’s are their own thing. They draw from too many sources musically to give them a direct comparison to anything or anyone else. Free of big record execs, their own label to record what and when they wish, and being 10 years in the game have earned The Kottonmouth Kings their own niche and in today’s world not only is that commendable but worthy of support from all types of music fans as well. My first KMK’s album, yes, but not my last. I believe brothers! I believe.
The 411: After listening to my first Kottonmouth Kings record I understand why they have been able to exist free of the big powers that be. I call it belief. Never do you doubt that what the Kottonmouth Kings are doing is something they enjoy and this quality shines through all 21 tracks. The Kottonmouth Kings self-titled 7th album is definitely worth a purchase and/or a listen for fans of hip-hop/rock/ska/reggae.
