Named after the
Eazy-E song and the
Ice Cube film of the same name,
Boyz N da Hood help represent the South for
P. Diddy's Bad Boy label, just as
Eightball & MJG did in 2004. The Atlanta group's admiration for
N.W.A members goes beyond the name; they've clearly picked up some of their ultra-violent, foul-mouthed tendencies from the pioneering group, and the late
Eazy-E even "drops in" for a guest spot on "Gangstas." (Producer
Erick Sermon actually recycled it from a Def Squad track.) Despite the nearly
Game-like
N.W.A fixation,
Boyz N da Hood sound Southern through and through, and they're definitely one of the hardest groups to come out of their region (wives are seduced, brains are splattered, bodily fluids land all over the place, etc.). Despite some beneficial beats (delivered by
Jazze Pha,
Nitti, and
Drumma Boy) and seasoned verses from the MCs (a couple of which already have solo careers in motion), the album isn't all that memorable. At least the Bad Boy boss doesn't make a fool out of himself with too many of his infamous interjections. ~ Andy Kellman