If there ever was a gang that I would want to affiliate myself with, sign me up with Moola Gang; Pennsylvania’s most promising rap group who’s staking their claim in the music industry.  What they’ve done on their most recent project titled, I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1, is taken samples from hip-hop and R&B classics and developed them into their own version of modern hits.

Among them are my two favorites, one stemming from the 1996 classic “Fugee-La” from the Refugees  and the other from Jay-Z’s 1998 summer blockbuster “Best of Me,” featuring Mya.  The latter of the two is entitled “Carolina Blue Kicks” and is easily one of my favorites.  Here you’ll find something for the club bangers to raise their glasses to when the beat drops.

Moola Gang clearly has a precise understanding of what makes a great album.  On each track  I was pleasantly surprised by the effortless flow that’s usually missed on many other artists.  But with Moola Gang its evident that they’ve studied their classics and learned early on how to master what works for them.

And what are some of the elements that work best, you ask?  Just sit back and give yourself to track number 10 titled “Al Green.”  The name itself is a throwback to the great vocalist Mr. Green himself.  What I was especially surprised at was how much restraint they showed here on what could have easily been an ass-smacking romp in the hip-hop hay complete with your arbitrary sexually explicit assault (read rape) on your audio senses.  Luckily they were more demure in their approach and presented what was pure unadulterated thug love-making music.

Up next on our list of faves was “Vintage;” an appropriate title for track sampled from a Jay-Z classic “Can I Live” from his 1996 breakthrough Reasonable Doubt album.  “Vintage” has that top-down, easy-riding out into the sunset type of feel or music that you coast along the shoreline to in the middle of summer.

Overall this was a great album.  I get the feeling that this is one of those instances where they’ve already established who their hardcore, underground fans are which is undoubtedly expected to rapidly grow with time and exposure.  Although they may not have attained broad based commercial success, I don’t see where it will be a problem for them to achieve it.  They have all the characteristics to earn a spot on BET’s 106 and Park top ten countdown list.  Attention to all record labels: If any of you are looking for the next talented rap group to hit stardom, then I would surely put Moola Gang in the bank.

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The Moola Gang (Pyrex Pre$$, YD, Kilz, and Louie Lee) is one of those groups that hip hop should be very happy to have as their chemistry and dedication has resulted in quite the nice mixtape, “I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1”. Pyrex Pre$$ spits with the authority of a vet and it’s as every bit believable as if Hov himself were speaking, not to take anything away from the other MC’s who also bring heat as this album sets itself apart from the rest by keeping the listener’s attention. A lot of albums just play through with nothing really standing out but these MCs don’t just rap over tracks, they COMPLETE the songs they are making. The verses got quotables, the hooks are memorable, and the production is distinct. This cohesive effort is further proof that with the right amount of hard work, it is possible to still make a solid album in 2010, despite the attempts of the industry to focus more on singles. The diversity of this crew also makes this effort less of a mixtape and more of a collaborative album, with each member getting solo joints along with the group tracks.

The opener is proof that greatness is on the way. After a slow burn that pulls you in, Pyrex Pre$$ delivers an opening verse that is reminiscent of the way Joell Ortiz popped off on the Slaughterhouse album. And as if you hadn’t already relaxed into this ride, “Beautiful Money” gives you all three MCs coming correct over some lavish production as they paint an actual picture of monetary gains instead of the typical bullshit most imitators try to push off as real life experience. They deliver the lines with such ease, that’s the difference between lack of effort and knowledge of a subject, they don’t have to try, this shit just comes natural. Kilz shines on his solo joint “Party Life”, which definitely lives up to its title. Haters that don’t open their basement windows might wanna avoid this but if you the type that enjoys life, pump this shit. “Live and Die” is a gem. There’s something strangely intriguing about this tale of caution over such a hype beat. It’s like I wanna dance but I can’t help but pay attention to the message of this track. “Darlin’ Baby” is definitely a highlight as Pyrex Pre$$ SLAUGHTERS the first verse and aside from an underhype sample on the hook (which is still a dope sample) this track has everything that a banger requires. “Turn Off The Lights” is that 3am cruising-the-boulevard-in-1986 anthem, you might wanna roll an L to this one, and after you’ve sparked that L, “Al Green” is a solid weed track with a hypnotizing beat that is sure to enhance the experience of that kush.

The magnum opus of this album is the tri-fecta of “Polo Suit”, “Rock N Roll Gangsta” and “I Grind”, the last of which is produced by a dude who definitely lives up to his name of Best Kept Secret. As far as lyrics are concerned, “I Grind” is nothing short of top notch, with punchlines galore and a highly catchy hook. I had to bring this one back a bunch of times. “What She Say” is some true life shit for real, and “Ins & Outs” shows that the guest appearances on this album only compliment, never deter from, the consistency of this project.

I can’t give this the 5 mic stamp though as “Black Diamonds and Pearls” was a lowlight for me but that’s probably only because that Lauryn Hill sample is what I think kept “It Was Written” from the true classic it could have been, but YD does goes in on the quasi-acapella joint. I also couldn’t get down with “Cow Girl” as the beat reminded me of a Vanilla Ice throwaway from his first album, but I can see this being one of them on-the-low favorites. But aside from those couple dips, as well as “Ditto” which just didn’t work for me, this album plays through so smoothly that it’s perfect as background music for whatever you’re doing as well as for a focused listen to absorb the lyrical power put on display.

I absolutely recommend checking out the Moola Gang’s “I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1” as they all step up to carry this mixtape with the utmost expertise and confidence that makes for a great hip hop album. With the high accessibility of the production and the attention demanded from these MCs, there’s no reason to sleep on this project. From the jumpoff to the final track “Money Rains”, this whole crew proves that Slaughterhouse ain’t the only supergroup in hip hop that should be given respect and shine. 4/5

As promised, upstart rap crew Moola Gang is here to release “I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1″. Comprised of Pyrex Pre$$, YD, Kilz, and Louie Lee this Southwest, PA group handles the majority of the production themselves. Additional production is provided from Flawless Tracks (Wale’s “Pretty Girls”). With features from the likes of Mac Miller and Franchise, the quartet is hoping to get the attention of bloggers and Hip-Hop listeners alike. Constructed as more of full fledged album, rather than a mixtape, “I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1″ is sure to be heavily talked about in the streets and on the net.

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Darlin Baby

Moola Gang is back with another leak off of their upcoming album I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1. produced by Flawless Tracks (responsible for the production behind Wale & Gucci Mane’s latest hit “Pretty Girls”) “Darlin’ Baby” finds Pyrex Pre$$ & Y.D. fully in their element: high end fashion, beautiful women, and dope rhymes. Make sure to look out for I’m Heavy Hunny Vol. 1 on June 22nd

We Gettin Money

Featuring Pyrex Press, Y.D. and Kilz. Produced by Louie Lee.