Album Review: Chiddy Bang, ‘Breakfast’

Chiddy Bang, the West Philadelphia (born and raised) hip-hop duo, unveil their long awaited debut album ‘Breakfast’.

Formed in 2009, their alternative rap/DJ partnership first rose to prominence the following year with the MGMT sampling ‘Opposite of Adults’, a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Since their big break, rapper ‘Chiddy’ and DJ ‘Xaphoon Jones’ have been hard at work, quickly following up with a succession of mixtapes as well as EP ‘The Preview’, even finding time to break the world record for the longest freestyle rap (nine hours, eighteen minutes and twenty-two seconds for those that are wondering) before finally completing their first full album.

After a short introduction to the world of Chiddy Bang, we are immediately invited in for ‘Breakfast’, a locomotive mass of orchestral stabs overlaid with ‘Still D.R.E.’ -esque honkytonk piano, and a strong indicator of the quality to come.

‘Mind Your Manners’ is a true highlight, an incredibly infectious nursery rhyme chorus layered over a thick slice of energetic breaks and bleeps, their clever use of a children’s choir evoke memories of Jay-Z ‘s ‘Hard Knock Life’ and even Justice on ‘D.A.N.C.E’. Instant and audibly pleasing, it will surely find residence on many an upcoming summer playlist.

Current single ‘Ray Charles’ immediately follows, a sumptuous blend of southern soul and hip-hop, a perfect recipe of classic 60s piano from the late great genius with a 21st Century twist. This is a track that perfectly personifies the Chiddy Bang sound, old and new, original and familiar. With an unreservedly fantastic video to match, ‘Ray Charles’ is another feather in the duo’s cap.

Listening to Chiddy Bang is like diving into a melting pot of American musical eras and techniques beautifully interwoven to a create a style that manages to present itself as both commercial and underground. Layered with bright beats, catchy funk and driving soul, it’s instant on the ear and grows with every listen.

There’s more than a causal nod to Outkast throughout the album, especially with the ‘Hey Ya’ inspired ‘Happening’, and several of the album’s 14 tracks would also not be out of place on a Kanye West album. There are also components of John Legend, Gnarls Barkley and Lupe Fiasco in there as well. But it is the combination of these elements that makes this album such a unique indulgence.

Chiddy Bang has delivered the first great album of the year. If this is ‘Breakfast’, who knows what this supremely talented duo will cook up on their future releases.