Hailing from the South Shore of Massachusetts, rap collective Hedshotts makes music that combines intellectual discourse with the raw attitude and grittiness of street culture. Since their first record in 2007, the group has gathered a loyal online following and has also opened for hip-hop giants such as Nas, GZA from Wu-Tang Clan, J Cole and T.I. On their latest effort, Circus of the Freaks in collaboration with Junior Makhno from France, the Heddshotts remind us once again that they are a force not to be trifled with.
Heddshotts‘ Circus of the Freaks sounds more like a rebellion than it does like a record – a rebellion against mediocrity, crooked politics, fraudulent religious authority, or just anything that seems full of shit. Charged punchlines like “we break laws/Because we fucking hate laws/ why do they fucking make laws without our consent?” from Elephants in the Room are plenty on Circus of the Freaks. In delivering its message, the group’s lyricism, however, is often graphic and shocking, with the themes ranging from gang violence to sexual conquests.
Stylistically, the Heddshotts draw heavily from the old-school, traditional hip-hop blueprint of the 90s, as a tribute to the era. The beats on each track recall the intense boom bap of KRS One, and the hooks are fairly catchy with those on the title-track and Lose It being the most impressive. Fans of golden-age hip-hop, or even hip-hop in general, must give Circus of the Freaks a listen; it s easily the angriest thing you have heard in a while.
Favorite Track: Elephants in the Room
Track List
1. Intro Feat. DJ Slipwax 01:12
2. Circus of the Freaks 04:14
3. Settin Them Straight Feat. DJ Nix’On 04:02
4. Elephants in the Room 04:28
5. Pussy From Rap 03:20
6. Cane Bagnato Feat. DJ Nix’On 04:58
7. Lose It 04:01
8. Soixante Quatre 04:02
9. Interlude 00:37
10. Get Ready Feat. DJ TMB 03:59
11. Frostbitten 04:01
12. Animal Crackers Feat. Godilla, Absoulut Karnage, Godmode, Bloody Monk Consortium 06:01
13. Search and Destroy Feat. DJ Slipwax 04:18
14. These Guys 04:12
15. Walk On The Moon 03:30
16. Microphone Check 03:40
17. Foutre 03:20
18. Outro 01:04
Related Links
Heddshotts on Facebook
Heddshotts on Twitter
Heddshotts on BandCamp
Heddshotts on YouTube