A quick look around the Internet helped me realized that Oddisee is definitely the leader and he's actually a well respected rapper. After promoting his work on various sights, people liked what they heard and he developed quite the following. I'm not really sure how he found his fellow Diamond District members, but I'm fairly certain they aren't any rookies. When the group decided it was time to release an album, they did so by giving it away for free.
Don't get too excited though, the free version of In The Ruff is actually clean, meaning you won't be hearing any potty words. So now you're faced with an ultimatum: are you willing to fork over ten dollars to hear the word "fuck" a little bit more. No sarcasm there, its a legitimate qualm that most people have. That's the only complaint that I'm willing to give away right now though...
00. Intro
Why Diamond District? What is the benefit of starting your album on track number zero? Other than that, this is surprisingly good intro, as Oddisee explains his history with hip hop and why he's making this album. You can tell this guy is a true hip hop fan, which is a definite plus.
01. Streets Won't Let Me Chill
In the intro they said they were going to be bringing back boom bap hip hop. Whether they can bring it back is one question but they sound great on this track. Even if you have no idea what boom bap is, you'll feel its presence on this song. I wasn't a fan of the voice sample they used, but all of these guys can rap extremely well. Very nice way to start the album
02. Who I Be
My god this shit is good. Unless this song and the last one was a fluke, I have I really good feeling about this album. While it could just be the Ol' Dirty Bastard sample they used, the beat has a very wu feel to it, especially in the drums. This was actually the first single released for this album. Not sure if it did anything for the album, but his is certainly a great way to promote your album. Everything just works perfectly in this song.
03. BACK TO BASICS
I'm amazed at how good the group works together. Its almost as if they actually liked each other or something. The instrumental actually really shines on this song and over shines the rapping for the first time. Its like De La Soul and The Roots got together and formed this beautiful instrumental. Four tracks in and this album is off to an incredible start. I'll be shocked it they can keep it up though.
04. I Mean Business
Oddisee's beat sounds good for this, the second single. I guess this serves as their street anthem, which is a necessity for an album to be released. I've always enjoyed these types of songs and this isn't an exception but it still isn't as good as the previous songs we've heard. Now that I think about it, its actually mind boggling that their label release this as a single. Can you imagine what it would be like If shit like this got radio play.
05. Get In Line
Wow, I didn't even realize that this was a different song from the last track. Both of the beats sound very similar, which is a big reason for this seemingly nonexistent transition of song. Since I enjoyed the last song, this was a pretty good song but it didn't do much to separate itself from the rest of the album.
06. In The Ruff
Even though I liked the last couple of tracks, this is an improvement over both of them thanks to its gloriously formed instrumental. Up to this point, its obvious that Oddisee is the superior rapper of the rapper, as he rips through this song with relative ease. Not sure why, but I'm always shocked when the title track actually sounds good. This actually has an R&B hook, which works great for the most part.
07. The Shining
Possibly the best song of the album at this point. Sound a lot like the previous track, but everything is executed to a higher degree. R&B hook is present again while Oddisee continues to impress me with his excellence on the mic. I might be cursing myself, but this album shows no sign of slowing down.
08. The District
Oddisee's beat is Pete Rock lite, minus the extensive use of horns. If you've ever heard a Pete Rock song, then you know that this is a very good thing. Its a more up tempo beat than anything this far, but all the rapper adjust seamlessly. All the member sound equal to each other on this one as well
09. Make It Clear
By the standard this album has set, this is one of the worst songs on the album. There's way to much shit going on during the instrumental, which only works on occasion. The rapping on here isn't bad at all, but I just wasn't feeling this song.
10. Off The Late Night
Finally, I can just type regular numbers instead of having to put a zero before everything. As for the song, the group delivers a sex rap reminiscent to Ghostface Killah. (who is mentioned an absurd amount of times throughout my reviews.) since the whole theme of the album is bringing back the 90s sound, I guess this song is appropriate. The beats nice as well so this song is pretty good.
11. Let Me Explain
Completely contrasting the previous track, this beat is rather dark, which sounds really good while the group does their rapping stuff. Not sure why they thought they were allowed to do this, but they just straight up steal a few lines form Jay Zs "Dead Presidents". Gotta do better Diamond District.
12. First Time (Feat. Steve Smith)
The group simply states the first time the experienced various action, which is decent enough. Not sure what Steve Smith did for the song so for all I know it could be the Panthers wide receiver. A pretty good way to end an album, even if this particular song features an R&B hook that doesn't really fit.
Rating: 4/5
My god this shit was actually really damn good. That four is the strongest four I can give because I debated for a long time giving this four and a half. One of the best parts of this album is the cohesiveness the group has and their ability to work together. Oddisee, yU, and X.O. all bring quite a bit of skill to the table and succeed in proving to their fans that hip hop is not dead. Sometimes even more than the rapping, its the beats that really give this such as mid nineties feel to it, as the group is consistently provided great surfaces to lay their rhymes. My only gripes with this album is that some songs in the middle of the album fall a little short and left me underwhelmed. Also, a few of the songs tend to sound very similar and end up being a detriment to the album. With that aside, I urge you to go download this album if you get a chance. I mean, the shits free and its probably they best work 2009 had to offer. Expect more reviews of Diamond District if they ever get their shit together and release another album.