Playdough – Hotdoggin (2011)

When I caught wind of this album I didn’t really embrace the listening opportunity with open arms. It sat in my hard drive for quite a while but then I heard the lead single from the album, My Cadillac, and my disposition changed. That is a really fun hip hop song. Fun hip hop hasn’t been en vogue for quite sometime and this song is very distinct. From that launching point I started playing the album and from the jump I could tell that this artist was going to be a breath of fresh air for my Itunes.

Playdough is a member of the group Deepspace5 which has been around for a decade plus, so please, no one get the impression that this is his first time on the scene. I have been listening to that group since their release of The Night We Called It A Day, in 2002. So he’s been in the game longer than the bulkhead of other artists. But recently I just hadn’t been checking his or other Deepspace5 artists. Maybe I just didn’t see the promo but I certainly haven’t been on top off all of the projects they had out. Playdough has definitely rectified that with the release of Hotdoggin.

No Angels is an awesome track.  If the movie Pulp Fiction had a hip hop song included, this would be it.  The production just has that flavor to it.  I am thinking specifically about that John Travolta dance scene.  This is just a fun track that suggests that even though you can’t see angels. they are protecting you…from the jump.  This really is the perfect example of making a dope track that has religious overtones in it. It is not overbearing.  It is fresh all the way around.  I would love to see a video for this track.    Here’s the chorus:

“I am not an angel but I brought a couple with me / I can’t see them with my human eyes but let’s just put this simply / I see them in my darkness / Hear them when my heart hits / See them in my flaws / Hear them in my song  / And they’ve been there all along …all along”

I have already discussed the single My Cadillac and don’t want to spend a lot of time reviewing it rather I just want to remind you all of how dope this track is.  It has that 50s feel with a hip hop flair.  It’s very unique.  It is a song that you can roll your windows down on a hot summer day and ride out to. It is playful and fun which really echoes my sentiment for the rest of the album.

1 Day has a rock/funk feel and is probably the song that best represents Playdough’s faith in God and the way he lives his life. The concept starts out as if Playdough was just told by the doctor that he has one day left to live.  There have been other tracks that focus on the last 24 but that’s where the similarities end.  While other emcees would go mobbin’ and spend their money on frivolous things, Playdough is maxing out his credit cards to feed the poor and spending time with his loved ones.  He is actually looking forward to meeting his Maker.  It is a joyous occasion.   It doesn’t come across as being preachy but rather as one man’s testimonial.

“I’m about to quit my dead end job cuz i just realized I don’t need the money / I don’t need the stress / Don’t need to be the best / And man I sure don’t need to worry…”

Singleminded Female is a funny song because it deals with Playdough’s problem of everyone sweating his girlfriend and his capacity to cope with it. He speaks on his relationship and how he feels about his girl. The production sounds as if there was some xylophone incorporated into it. It still has a very fun and playful feel to it. Check one of the verses:

“Everybody want it but they ain’t got the patience for it  / I done got to flaunt it but homeboy I’m paying for it / Her name and wrist got her name on necklace /  Bought it online so you know just who the heck it is / She’s a simple one got a brother sprung on a tickle tongue / Frenching kissing wishing you had it but you ain’t getting none /Look at my style you ain’t got it like me / I got the flyest she’s the dimest got it naturally / It’s actually me I see ugly as can be / What can I say she cuts for a shorter version Dirk Nowitzki / You know we the most frustrating when we walk in public / Seeing brothers hating and honest inside I’m loving it /  How did he get with her? Man I never figured her / Double D’s double those double trouble digging her / Everybody wishing for something this particular / I’m posted up in public on purpose just to be kissing her”

This release has a lot of energy behind it. A lot of positive energy that is.  There is a message in the music, that is true.  But what people need to acknowledge is how dope that music is.  These tracks and this album in general is incredible.  There are so many dope sounds that I have never heard before that can be found in Hotdoggin. Lyrcially my feeling is that Playdough can hang with anyone in the industry and doesn’t have to use the crutch of four letter words littered throughout. If you enjoy good hip hop that is innovative, fun, and done with passion then Hotdoggin  could be the album of the year.