Crime Mob Albums (2)
'Hated on Mostly'
Release Date 12/5/2006
Tracks 13
Label Reprise / Wea
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Despite a three-year absence and diminished membership, Crime Mob returned fairly unchanged on their second album, Hated on Mostly. Their crunk style of rap remains chiefly indebted to Three 6 Mafia and is highlighted by some potent productions, most of them credited to group member Lil Jay. "Rock Yo Hips" is the clear-cut single, tailor-made for club play and boasting a Lil Scrappy feature. "Circles" is the other standout, mostly because it's a change of pace -- relatively downtempo and sullen, built around an old soul sample ("Going in Circle" by the Friends of Distinction). There are a few other strong songs here, such as the title track and "2nd Look," both of which are rabble-rousing, if overly typical. What makes Crime Mob atypical, above all, is the group's pair of female rappers, Diamond and Princess. These young ladies are not only skilled rappers, but they're charismatic and good-looking. They distinguish Crime Mob from the group's innumerable, almost exclusively male contemporaries. Beyond the potent productions, handful of standout songs, and pair of female rappers, Hated on Mostly frankly isn't all that interesting. It's a more mature and commercial album than the group's self-titled 2004 debut, certainly, but it still leaves plenty of room for growth. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Crime Mob wouldn't know a new idea if it flew into their cough syrup, but they're as on point as crunk comes. Rock-solid sparse grooves and simple confrontational anthems are what you'll find on the group's debut album, a collection that's as limited as it is spirited. The pumping party jam "Knuck if You Buck" is the click to pick by far but "If You Got Ana" and "Diggin Me" would be an asset to any Southern mixtape they land on. Even though "Ellenwood Area" contains those clichéd and tired Exorcist chimes, it's a restrained relief from the rest of the rowdy album and one of the few tracks that gives the group personality. The other creepers -- "If You Gonna Try Me" and "Put Yo Hands Up" -- aren't as successful, and they're lumped together with "Ellenwood Area" in the running order. Hitting the "shuffle" button solves that but doesn't fix the album's need for some more outside ideas and experience. The instant success of "Knuck if You Buck" probably rushed the album, but the group's lyrical skills are obvious. It's enough to take the album in half or quarter slices and enough to hope they have better handlers next time. As it is, their debut is rowdy, alive, and what you would point to if someone wanted straight-up-the-middle, undecorated party crunk. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
