The 19-year old Huey is screaming next for St. Louis. His debut album Notebook Paper is coming off the heels of his smash single “Pop, Lock, and Drop It”. The difference with this guy is he’s out there by himself; no crew, no Lunatics, and no JD. Can he stand alone in the Hip-Hop game? Well, he is well on the way with a hit single. Everyone knows a single can only carry you so far. You got to have skills as well as marketability. We all saw what happened to J-Kwon, matter of fact, where is that guy?
1. Intro/Notebook Paper
Just another intro except he explains why he titled the album Notebook Paper. Nothing major here, just talking. The title track follows and Huey raps over a nice beat. If you like braggadocio rhymes, you’ll love this one.
2. Bout Dat
Next up is “Bout Dat” and Huey is still up to the same things. Bragging about how St. Louis is number one in murders, drug sales, and other types of criminal activity. If you like that type of things, you will like this one. However, the beat is pretty tight.
3. Aye
This is definitely a club banger; the “Aye” will have all the youngsters yelling that all summer. The subject matter is a little sophomoric for me, but the beat is okay. Check for this one.
4. Pop, Lock, and Drop It
The leadoff single that is accompanied by a dance; it’s alright. It’s for the younger crowd but fun for the older crowd. Not a bad way to build a buzz. Check the remix (also on the album.)
5. Closet Full of Clothes (feat. Kydd Trell)
When you’re 19, you write rhymes like this. A closet full of clothes…well like I said the youngsters might appreciate this one. The beat is alright, which makes listening to a song with low subject matter better.
6. 2 Nite
Huey speeds the tempo up on this one and I can’t front I like this one. Again, the track is bumping and Huey rides the beat like a vet. Check for this one!
7. Tell Me This (G-5) (feat. MeMpHiTz)
Huey switches styles again on this one and he did his thing on this one. The beat is nasty and Huey delivers a solid song. Bang this one!
8. Money Ova (feat. Diamond & Yo Gotti)
The sexy Diamond from Crime Mob and Yo Gotti assist Huey on this one and once again he delivers a solid song. The Atlanta/St. Louis/Memphis union worked out pretty well. This one will definitely be in the clubs. Check this one out.
9. My Zone
Huey raps about his life growing up; nothing you haven’t heard before, the same old story. You can imagine what I’m talking about. But the beat is hot; the hooks sounds like the Lunatics a little bit. Check it out though.
10. When I Hustle (feat. Lloyd)
Lloyd croons on this one. Looks like Huey hollered at all the youngins out there. The song is a hood love song and Huey puts up a decent effort. It’s a pretty smooth song. With Lloyd singing and Huey spitting, the end result: the second single off the album.
11. Luv N Ya Life (feat. Asia Cruise)
This one is for the ladies and they will probably like this one. It has that 2Pac appeal to it. Huey puts together a nice song. The video stations and radio will eat this one up to. Huey might be on to something.
12. Nobody Loves the Hood
The chorus has an Akon imposter on it, besides that, the song is tight. Huey raps as if he has been through a lot in his 19 years. He has some good subject matter on this song. If you can get past the chorus, the rest of the song is pretty good.
13. Glad 2 B Alive
T-Pain joins in on the fun on this one and he sings without the synthesizer! He sounds decent without it. Huey rides the laid back beat. I like this one; seems like Huey has been through some tribulations in his life. Check for this one.
14. Pop, Lock, and Drop It (remix) (feat. T-Pain & Bow Wow)
Bow Wow and T-Pain jumped on the remix and killed it! I like the remix better than the original. Bow gives us some grown up lyrics. Guess all that time in the strip club has paid off. T-Pain breaks the synthesizer out and does his thing. The radio is killing this one now and for a good reason, the song is hot.
Bottom Line:
I wasn’t expecting a lot from Huey but I was surprised at the offering. I know the subject matter isn’t that deep, but hey, the guy is 19! He definitely produced a solid album. He won me over with good production and nice rhymes.The subject’s he chooses are what people his age talk about. He stuck to what works for him and it paid off. He has that mainstream appeal while still staying street. If he can keep it up, Huey might be a problem in the coming years.
nappy Picks: “Aye”, “2 Nite”, “Tell Me This”, “Money Ova”, “Nobody Loves the Hood”, “Glad 2 B Alive”, “Pop , Lock and Drop It (remix)”
Download: Huey feat. Diamond & Yo Gotti – “Money Ova”
